👉🏻 SUM NEWS: 5.28.25

May 28, 2025

In partnership with

This week’s newsletter has it all: patriotic product labeling drama, a fractional CMO who built an AI-powered team of one, and PR tips that help you get the press without the panic. Plus, a one-click poll, a three-minute survey, and some hot-off-the-press headlines to drop into your next team meeting.

IN THIS ISSUE

Help Us Decode The State of Startup Marketing!

Are generalists the future? Is AI reshaping the game? Do startup marketers need to wear all the hats, or is specializing still a superpower?

We need your input. 🧠 3 minutes. 17 questions. All multiple choice.

FROM THE INK WELL

3 Essential PR Secrets From Media Insiders

Getting press isn’t just about who you know — it’s about how you show up. Maya Kosoff and Allie Mills share 3 insider tips on building real journalist relationships, newsjacking like a pro, and making every media hit count.

Interested in sharing your POV? Submit your pitch to get published in The Ink Well.

Want to get the most out of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a superpower if you know how to use it correctly.

Discover how HubSpot's guide to AI can elevate both your productivity and creativity to get more things done.

Learn to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation with the power of AI.

SUM PODCAST NETWORK

Brilliantly Wrong

Feeling stretched thin as a solo marketer or small team?  Fractional CMO David Cardiel shares how he built an AI-powered marketing team of one — and how you can, too.

AROUND THE WEB

  • On average, consumers follow nearly twice as many influencers on social media compared to brands (13 versus 7). Nearly half (48%) of social-first brands say their creator and influencer partnerships are delivering the highest ROI of all their social tactics.  [Deloitte]

  • “Made in USA” searches on Amazon jumped from 26,000 to 126,000 in the past month, as brands race to capitalize on tariff concerns, but brands must be careful. [Modern Retail]

  • Nearly three-quarters (74%) of b2b marketers expect strong or moderate growth in their events and sponsorship spend over the next year. [marketing charts]

  • TikTok is launching in-app guided meditation exercises intended to help users put the app down and improve their sleep quality. [TechCrunch]

  • Ad agencies are all in on AI: 81.3% of agency professionals say AI will have the biggest impact on the next decade of digital advertising, followed far behind by 4.1% who said “influencers/creators” will have the biggest influence. [marketing charts]

SUM POLL

Which is more valued in a startup marketing team?

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SUM COMMUNITY EVENTS

Block off every Thursday at 1 pm ET for SUM events—consider it your weekly power hour for growth, insights, and community. These events are exclusively available to SUM members. Not a member? 👉 Join now 👈

How to Get Noticed and Land a Marketing Job Interview

Marketing Technology Roundtable: Favorites and Game-Changers

Tea Time with Terri Walter

ICYMI: BITE-SIZED INSIGHTS

“We all use AI to help craft our content, but really great storytelling is more important than ever. AI’s helping us do that job, but it has to be done by real people with strong points of view who know how to differentiate themselves in the market. AI is pushing us to do a better job at marketing.”

“The reason that most memos, speeches and edicts fall flat is simple: we get stuck on the idea that we’re talking to a crowd. The alternative method is simple: find one person, exactly one, and write to them, allowing the others to listen in.”

“Rather than describe AI as the Wild West, treat it like jazz.”

“Your secret weapon for sustained visibility in the coming battle with the bots? PR! While we'll see what the future brings, there's been a lot of chatter about the renewed importance of earned media, press coverage, and being sure your message is visible for all those AI algorithms to discover.”

IN THE MEME TIME