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SUM News: CES 🔊, Circling Back 💫 & The Science of CTAs 👇

SUM News: CES 🔊, Circling Back 💫 & The Science of CTAs 👇

January 08, 2025

In partnership with

We’re in the sea of circling back, knee deep in CES, and wading through 2025 trend reports like it’s our job (because it is). Here’s your biweekly batch of the latest marketing news and insights to help you work smarter, better, faster.

IN THIS ISSUE

🎯 Is a Startup Right For You?
💡 CES 2025 Trends to Keep an Eye On
🌐 Around the Web
📣 SUM Stuff
😂 In the Meme Time

Is a Startup Right For You?

Startups offer marketers the opportunity to grow, adapt, and make a real impact.

If you’ve ever wondered whether working for a startup might be right for you, let’s explore the 5 Ws (and 1 H) to help you decide. Explore the perks, pitfalls, and possibilities of working at a startup.

AROUND THE WEB

CES offers marketers a glimpse into the trends shaping consumer behavior and media strategies. From AI innovations enhancing personalization to the rise of creator-driven marketing and the dominance of live content, this year’s CES highlights the tools and insights marketers need to stay ahead.
The best time to post on Instagram for reach is generally 3 pm and 6 pm on weekdays, according to Buffer, which analyzed over 2 million Instagram posts sent through its platform over the past year:
The art of persuasion: Discover how neuroscience-backed principles like decision fatigue, loss aversion, and the psychology of color, can improve your CTAs.
In 2025, experts predict brands will start hiring Chief AI Officers and forming AI councils to lead their AI transformation while using AI tools to automate data analytics, optimize content, and enhance decision-making.
Bluesky has launched its own version of Trending Topics, making it easier to tap into the latest discussions of interest in the app.
41% of US consumers want brands to participate in meme culture and social media trends, but only 25% appreciate the use of popular phrases, expressions, and slang, so marketers need to be careful about jumping on trends authenticity to avoid sounding cringy, forced, or out of touch.

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

SUM STUFF

SUM Disruptors Podcast

Co-host Heidi Keele sits in the hot seat this week for a candid conversation about how her strengths and passions have shaped her career and why authenticity has been the key to her success.

Enter the OSSUM Awards

You’ve stretched every dollar, worn every hat, and delivered results on a shoestring budget. It’s time for startup marketers like you to take a bow. Enter the OSSUM Awards and get the recognition you deserve!

Deadline: Tuesday, January 21

State of Startup Marketing

We’re gearing up for our 2025 report and need your insights! Help us shape the future of startup marketing by sharing your thoughts on the latest trends and challenges.

SUM POLL

Which marketing channels were the most effective for your startup in 2024?

SUM COMMUNITY EVENTS

Metrics That Matter

📌Thursday, 1/9

What really moves the needle for startup marketers? We’ll cut through the acronyms and get to the metrics that actually matter. Learn how to track the right data to drive growth and set benchmarks—all without spiraling out in spreadsheets.

Community Kickoff

📌Thursday, 1/16

Whether you’re new, curious, or a SUM superuser, start 2025 on the right foot by connecting with fellow marketers. Share goals, swap ideas, grow your network, and get expert tips to up-level your marketing game. Not a member? Now’s the perfect time to join and see what all the buzz is about!

Tea Time With Maya Kosoff

📌Thursday, 1/23

Join us for a casual chat with Maya Kosoff, a seasoned content strategist and reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Business Insider, Vanity Fair, Washington Post, and more. Get practical tips on crafting compelling narratives, making your pitch stand out, and building valuable media relationships.