This week the CMO and CCO roles come together, college students flock to join AI clubs, holiday shoppers should be weary of buying now and paying later, and more.
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TRENDING
Delayed jobs report: more jobs added, unemployment rises
While September may feel like a lifetime ago, newly released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 119,000 jobs were added to the U.S. labor market in September, while the unemployment rate rose slightly from 4.3% to 4.4%. Without government data on October employment, many looked to private sector metrics. A report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas found employers cut close to 150,000 jobs in October, consistent with an influx of news related to Q4 layoffs and AI workforce integration. Source: USA Today
The CMO-CCO split is becoming less common
The CMO and CCO roles are being pushed together by overlapping responsibilities, heightened external pressures, and the demand for leaner teams. Communications and marketing both now operate in a highly politicized environment, where a single post, ad, or statement can lead to backlash and scrutiny. Companies are unifying the role to centralize risk, streamline decision-making, and ensure consistent messaging across every channel. Source: Digiday
TECHNOLOGY
AI is becoming a companion at every stage of modern relationships
AI is shaping major relationship moments, from dating to weddings to divorce. Dating app Tinder is testing a feature that uses AI to scan a user’s camera roll to better understand them and improve match suggestions. Couples are also using AI for wedding planning, with 36% of people using it to help in 2025, up 20% from last year. On the other end of the spectrum, a celebrity divorce attorney says couples going through separations are using AI to draft agreements, decode legal jargon, and manage post-divorce emotions. Source: Axios
Claude clubs on college campuses
AI companies are taking brand-building efforts to college campuses as students are eager to get experience with the tech reshaping future careers. The Claude Builder Club launched at the University of Pennsylvania in September and plans to host a hackathon, demo day, and other project-focused events. There are now more than 60 universities with Builder Clubs, including over 25 chapters with more than 100 members. Anthropic is enticing students with access to free Claude Pro subscriptions. Source: Fast Company
BRAND
Half of all U.S. shoppers surveyed plan to use “buy now, pay later” for holiday shopping
The statistic comes from a PayPal survey, which also shows that one in four millennials and Gen-Zers use BNPL options on a regular basis. With people seeming to feel more cash-strapped this season than in previous years, it is also easier than ever to finance purchases through platforms like Klarna, Affirm, and Afterpay. While this method of buying may make holiday shopping seem less stressful, a Lending Tree survey showed more than 40% of BNPL users say they made a late payment in the last year. These lenders typically do not have to make sure a user can afford the loans they take out, which could lead to loan stacking, debt, and post-holiday economic woes. Source: Vox
Economic pessimism is reshaping holiday campaigns
Gen Z is reshaping holiday marketing as economic pessimism grows. According to Deloitte’s annual retail survey, 57% of consumers are expecting the economy to weaken over the next six months — the most negative outlook since the survey began in 1997. Gen Z is expected to reduce their holiday spending by 34%. With 70% prioritizing value, brands are adopting holiday messaging centered on simple, attainable moments rather than idealized holidays. To win amid economic uncertainty, brands must focus on practicality and meaningful value. Source: Marketing Dive
SOCIAL
Internet creators are driving a movement to “reset” memes, calling for a return to the more narrative and human memes after months of AI slop and absurd “brain rot” content. The discourse shows a desire for authenticity and human-made internet culture. While there will most likely not be a “great meme reset” in 2026, the idea points to a growing distaste for AI slop and a collective longing for a community-driven online era. Source: Wired
