Why Marketing Transformation Gets Stuck

AI is changing how marketers personalize experiences—but it’s also introducing new risks. In this episode of MarketingEDGE, we explore how AI-driven personalization is evolving and why many marketing organizations are struggling to translate new tools into strategic impact.
Jan. 27, 2026
2 min read

Personalization is evolving fast—and so are the risks. In this episode of MarketingEDGE, we explore two critical questions facing modern marketing teams in 2026: how to scale AI-driven personalization without losing trust, and why many marketing transformations are stalling before delivering strategic impact.

The first article examines how AI is upgrading personalization capabilities across B2B marketing—and why separating real buyer signals from noise is becoming a competitive differentiator. The second article looks at new research revealing where marketing organizations believe they’re advancing—and where operational reality tells a different story.

Together, these reads surface a common challenge: marketing has more tools and data than ever, yet many teams remain stuck in the middle—working harder without moving faster.

Navigating the Complexities of AI-Driven Personalization in B2B Marketing

As personalization becomes more dynamic and data-driven, marketers face new questions around relevance, risk, and brand boundaries. This article explores how AI is reshaping personalization—and what leaders must get right before scaling it further.

Is Marketing Transformation Stalling in the Middle?

New research reveals a growing gap between perceived marketing maturity and operational execution. This article examines why many organizations are improving tactically but struggling to operate strategically—and what that means for martech, data readiness, and go-to-market effectiveness.

Why It Matters

AI and martech promise speed and precision—but without alignment, discipline, and trust, they can just as easily amplify complexity. This episode highlights why personalization and transformation must be grounded in strategy, not just technology.

Contributors:

About the Author

Donovan Neale-May

Donovan Neale-May

Contributor

Neale-May is founder and executive director of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council, a global affinity network of more than 16,000 senior marketing executives in 10,000 companies controlling nearly $1 trillion in annual, aggregated marketing spend. Neale-May recently formed and leads a new Growth Officer Council for chief growth, revenue, commercial, finance and business development leaders and RevTech innovators. The first thought leadership initiative, dubbed Growth Engineering: Mapping Routes to Revenue, includes an online content resource.

Delaney Rebernik

Delaney Rebernik

Contributor

Delaney Rebernik is an independent journalist covering leadership, death, and digital life, and a writer and consultant for purpose-driven organizations. She’s also Design Observer’s Executive Editor. As an award-winning editorial and communications leader, Delaney helps media brands, memberships, and other champions of community, knowledge, and justice tell vital stories and advance worthy missions. 

In her spare time, Delaney consumes horror and musical theater in equal measure. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband Todd and pup Spud, named for her favorite food. Learn more at delaneyrebernik.com, and connect on Bluesky and LinkedIn.

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