CHEQ vs TrafficGuard

AI Agents Transform Shopping from Circulars to Automated Purchasing

This article explores how AI is reshaping the shopping journey, moving beyond traditional advertising to a future where AI agents act on behalf of consumers. It highlights that 73% of parents plan to use AI in back-to-school shopping, citing a PwC study. The evolution from static ads to predictive, adaptive creative is discussed, with comments from Priti Ohri of Advertible on dynamic creative. The piece also covers conversational AI, referencing Criteo's Prompt Smart Ads, and the transition from assistance to delegation, noting that only 11% of consumers are ready for AI to make purchase decisions. Becky Gundy of CHEQ predicts agents will soon handle purchases end-to-end, emphasizing that advertisers must appeal not only to consumers but also to their AI agents.

• 73% of parents plan to use AI in back-to-school shopping (PwC study, June 2026).
• Only 11% of US consumers are ready to let AI make purchase decisions (Gartner survey).
• Criteo's Prompt Smart Ads use catalog data and prompt-level insights to tailor ad creative.

CHEQ Appoints CyberArk Founder Udi Mokady as Chairman of the Board

CHEQ Appoints CyberArk Founder Udi Mokady as Chairman of the Board Jamie Vinkle July 07, 2026 | 3 min read

SoLeads.ai Updates Website and Export Tools

SoLeads.ai rolled out a coordinated refresh of its homepage and several product pages to simplify workflows for exporting publicly available social and business data. The site update clarifies supported inputs, available fields, download formats (CSV/XLSX), account requirements, device compatibility, and public-data limitations. Updated Instagram and TikTok follower export tools offer a browser-based workflow that does not require account passwords, desktop apps, or browser extensions; supported results are downloadable after signing in. SoLeads.ai emphasizes it only organizes publicly displayed information and cannot access private or password-protected content. The refreshed experience is available now; new users can create accounts and receive introductory credits to try supported workflows.

• SoLeads.ai completed a coordinated update to its homepage and several key product pages.
• SoLeads.ai organizes publicly available social media and business information into structured CSV or XLSX exports.
• Updated Instagram and TikTok follower export tools provide a browser-based workflow and do not require an Instagram password, desktop application, or browser extension.

Craft Creative Launches Human-Led AI Video Production

Craft Creative, a Charleston-based video production company and premium subsidiary of VIP Marketing, announced a human-led approach to AI video production. The hybrid model combines generative AI tools with professional strategy, scripting, creative direction, editing, and quality control so that people remain responsible for idea, brand accuracy, story and final output. Founder Eric Elliott is quoted emphasizing that AI accelerates idea exploration but does not replace creative judgment. The company described use cases including concept visualization, AI-generated environments/characters, footage organization, audio cleanup, and multi-platform versioning, and highlighted a recent 'Christmas in July' campaign that used AI-generated visuals directed by its creative team. The article was published by MarTech Series on 2026-07-24.

• Craft Creative is a Charleston-based video production company and the premium video production subsidiary of VIP Marketing.
• Craft Creative announced a human-led, hybrid model that combines AI-powered tools with human creative strategy, direction, editing, and quality control.
• Eric Elliott, Founder of Craft Creative, is quoted saying, “AI helps teams explore and iterate on more ideas. It does not make those ideas better.”

Vending Media Launches Dual-Revenue Vending Model

Vending Media Inc. has launched a dual-revenue vending program that combines traditional product sales with digital advertising on vending machine screens. The offering includes location placement support across the United States and Canada, machine customization, technical setup, ad content management, and operator support. Digital displays on machines can show images or short videos, QR codes, special offers, and lead forms to enable advertisers — from small local businesses to national brands — to reach consumers at the point of purchase.

• Vending Media Inc. launched a dual-revenue vending model combining product sales and digital screen advertising.
• The program includes location placement support for vending operators across the United States and Canada.
• Machine screens can display image or video advertisements, QR codes, special offers, and lead forms for campaign tracking.