Fluency vs Fluent

Deciding What AI Should Never Control in Advertising

Eric Picard of Fluency argues that while LLMs and AI agents will become part of advertising workflows, the industry must clearly define what parts of campaign operations AI must never control. He warns that LLMs are probabilistic and therefore unsuitable for making irreversible budgetary or execution decisions without human-in-the-loop governance. Picard outlines three lessons from running automated advertising at scale: platform APIs do not teach operational wisdom, governance must be encoded into automation from the start, and the most valuable automation scales a buyer’s strategic thinking while keeping deterministic execution for money-moving systems.

• Opinion piece by Eric Picard (Fluency) published on August 17, 2026.
• The article argues LLMs are probabilistic and should not be allowed to make irreversible advertising spend or execution decisions without human oversight.
• Picard presents three lessons from running automated advertising at scale: API knowledge ≠ operational know-how; automation requires built-in governance; and automation should scale a buyer's strategic intent with deterministic execution.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Fluent (2026-08-13)

Fluent, Inc. reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, generating revenue of $48.45 million, up 8% year-over-year from $44.71 million. Growth was driven by Commerce Media Solutions, which expanded 90% YoY to $30.55 million (representing ~63% of consolidated revenue), offsetting continued declines in Owned & Operated properties and the divestiture of its Call Solutions unit (Winopoly) in January 2026. Gross profit increased 36% to $14.01 million, while net loss narrowed to $6.18 million from $7.22 million in Q2 2025. Despite operational improvements, management reiterated a going concern qualification due to uncommitted credit line terms with Bay View Funding and tight liquidity reserves of $7.59 million in total cash and restricted cash.

• Q2 2026 revenue increased 8% YoY to $48.45M, with Commerce Media Solutions surging 90% to $30.55M, representing 63% of total revenue.
• Gross profit rose 36% YoY to $14.01M (29% margin), narrowing Q2 net loss to $6.18M ($0.20 per share) compared to a net loss of $7.22M in Q2 2025.
• Management maintained a substantial doubt going concern disclosure related to reliance on an uncommitted $30M accounts receivable financing facility with Bay View Funding.

Fluent Named to Crain’s New York Business 2026 Best Places to Work

Fluent, Inc. has been named to Crain’s New York Business 2026 Best Places to Work list, and has appointed Jeanniey Walden as Chief Marketing Officer.

Fluent Names Jeanniey Walden Chief Marketing Officer

Fluent, Inc. announced the appointment of Jeanniey Walden as Chief Marketing Officer, effective September 8, 2026.