The Think Global Forum convened its latest roundtable to discuss a pivotal topic: The Global Marketing Revolution. The event featured an impactful keynote by Leslie Zane, CEO and Founder of Triggers®, and a thought-provoking panel discussion, which examined the intersections of branding, behavioral science, and technology in today’s marketplace.

Design thinking has become a major driving force for innovation across industries in recent years. With the market size for design thinking expected to nearly double in the next eight years, it has demonstrated significant benefits for scaling business—especially regarding global market expansion. In the promotional realm, integrating the concept of design thinking into marketing for international business can lead to more impactful and personalized campaigns designed to reach audiences more effectively. At the same time, however, leveraging design thinking for global growth is by no means automatic.

At first glance, global expansion seems more accessible than ever—and in some ways, it is. You can reach as many countries as you wish with mobile apps, websites, digital ads, and blog posts. However, your international expansion efforts can quickly fall flat if you fail to provide all customers with an equally enjoyable experience. Customer experience (CX) is more than interest in a new product or even the act of making a purchase. It includes every interaction a customer has with your brand, and pleasing customers throughout the entire journey is more important than ever before.

As businesses increasingly use AI, integrating aspects of generative AI across sectors highlights a transformative shift in operational strategies. Localization professionals, who adapt content to fit cultural and linguistic contexts, face unique challenges and opportunities in this evolving landscape. Let's explore the pivotal role of data in powering AI-driven localization processes and outline several strategic approaches for effectively leveraging this technology.

The age of artificial intelligence is here. The global market, already valued at around $200 billion today, is expected to grow by a 13x multiplier over the next seven years. Within that environment, adaptability has become vital. AI, as we know it currently, can only partially replace humans' work. It can, however, nudge us to think about that work in new and innovative ways. Learn how to master skills to complement an increasingly competent suite of AI tools.

Across industries, personalization is no longer a "nice-to-have." Personalized customer experiences are a must for being seen as a brand of choice and driving repeat purchases and engagement. By implementing a solid personalization strategy, you can increase your overall traffic, improve engagement, and, ultimately, see better results for your brand.

Creativity and technology can often appear at opposite ends of the spectrum. Yet, in a modern environment, they have to coexist. It is impossible to build or implement any marketing and creative strategy without technology, just as technology without creativity will always fail to drive the best results.