If you're starting off the year with a bunch of execs demanding explosive growth in 2026, you'll like this creator's refreshing take: "Your brand doesn't need to be loved by everyone. Even if you've captured just 3% of the market, your brand can stay alive." 

The marketing efficiency ratio (MER) measures how much revenue marketing generates for every dollar spent. MER is calculated by dividing total revenue by total marketing spend for a defined period. Unlike ROAS, which focuses on the return of specific ad campaigns, MER gives a blended, executive-level view of overall marketing effectiveness across all channels. A higher MER indicates more efficient marketing performance, although what counts as “good” depends on margins, customer behavior, and business model.

AI workflow automation tools connect apps, data, and departments to execute tasks automatically — reducing manual work and improving efficiency across organizations. Unlike traditional rule-based automation, these tools use artificial intelligence to predict next steps, learn from outcomes, and continuously optimize processes.

When I joined HubSpot, I stepped into a rare position. I had already spent years as a customer, learning how to build systems creatively with the tools I had access to. Then, I joined the company with the responsibility of modernizing a long-standing customer reference system that had served many teams well but was now struggling to meet new expectations, complexity, and scale.

One of the most satisfying things you can achieve as a business or personality is instant brand recognition.

I asked six HubSpot colleagues who are experts in their respective arena what their hopes and dreams are for 2026. From “just make AI and spreadsheets work” to tracking emotional momentum, here‘s what we’re looking forward to next year.

AI has drastically changed the marketing industry. From remapping the buyer's journey to changing the way we analyze data, to reshaping how we connect with consumers, almost everything is different from just a couple of years ago.