35% more engagement, 20% higher ROI, 50% time saved

Outside the box ways to use AI for content marketing — backed by real data

Hey, Paige here!

Before we get into today’s best marketing research… 

In today’s release: 

  • Why (and how) 67% of businesses are using AI to accelerate growth

  • 4 expert-level actually useful AI applications for your marketing team

  • Real-life examples of AI-powered brand wins

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DEEP DIVE

When I say ‘AI’, you say…? 

We get it — since ChatGPT hit the market in 2022, everyone has a take on AI. 

But we’re here today to cut through the noise and ‘hacks’ to focus on how AI genuinely drives marketing results—backed by hard data.

Today, 67% of businesses use AI for content marketing and SEO, with another 38% planning to.  If you haven’t embraced AI yet, you’re not alone. But the window is closing fast. 

Here’s where AI is making the biggest impact for today’s marketers: 

1. Personalization

Consumers demand it — 71% expect personalized experiences, and brands who deliver see up to 20% higher ROI. With AI, personalization can scale faster, ultimately decreasing manual effort. 

  • 74% of marketers use AI to enhance customer targeting.

  • AI-driven personalization can drive 30% increase in conversion rates

Brand win: Netflix saw a 40% increase in subscriptions after using AI to personalize segmented ads.

2. SEO elevation

AI tools do more than improve content quality… they boost SEO with predictive analytics that identify trending topics, keyword gaps, and optimal formats.

  • 67% of marketers report improved organic rankings with AI tools

  • 55% credit AI for significant improvements in search visibility

  • AI-powered SEO can reduce time spend on keyword research by 50%

  • Brand win: Under Armour reduced spend by 15% and increased performance by 35% with AI-optimized content. 

3. Streamlined content creation & workflow

AI speeds up content production, automates repetitive tasks, and enhances workflows, freeing more time for strategic, high-level tasks. 

  • 36% of marketers use AI daily in workflows, and 51% are actively scaling AI adoption to automate tasks

  • 47% report productivity gains from AI tools that reduce manual tasks 

  • Companies using AI for content creation see a 25% faster time-to-market

  • Brand win: Toyota saw a 30% increase in CTR and improved ROI for ad variations.  

4. Cross-channel consistency

What do successful brands (and campaigns) have in common? A consistent, cross-channel experience. AI tools excel at managing distribution, analyzing engagement, and maintaining brand voice across platforms… without the heavy lifting. 

  • 67% of SMBs use AI for consistent content output across platforms

  • Cross-channel AI can boost average engagement by 35%

  • Brand win: Nike saw a 50% increase in engagement and a 20% boost in sales within one quarter using AI for cross-channel optimization.

AI isn't here to replace your marketing team—it’s here to empower them. 

Use custom GPTs as ideation engines and SME resources. Explore AI tools for personalization, segmentation, and beyond.

Implementing the right AI strategy can boost productivity, creativity, and content resonance. It's time to build smarter campaigns that not only reach your audience but truly engage them.

The takeaway: With AI, the cost of missed opportunity far outweighs the cost of experimentation. Adopting AI for personalization, SEO, and streamlined workflows can significantly boost marketing ROI, productivity, and cross-channel engagement. 

That’s it, ya’ll! Here’s how we can help…

Binge our podcast about the future of media in business.
Download the 2025 State of Video Podcasts Report.
Book a video podcast strategy call with Ben from our team.

Keep creating,

Paige Peterson
Newsletter Aficionado, Sweet Fish