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AI Is Saving Brands a Lot of Money—Now What?
It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is transforming how marketers approach their workflows. But beyond the prompt engineering and tech demos, one thing is crystal clear: AI is saving brands money.
From automating media buying to generating high-quality creative at scale, AI is streamlining aspects of marketing that have traditionally been costly. Media planning once required entire teams and hefty agency retainers. Now, machine learning models make real-time ad placement decisions with more precision and less overhead. Generative AI is cutting design and copywriting costs dramatically, turning what used to take days into hours or minutes.
This efficiency is showing up on the balance sheet. Many brands are already saving 10–15% on media spend alone simply by reducing agency commission fees. That’s ~$150,000 freed up from a $1M media budget, money that would have gone to commissions or headcount is now suddenly available for reinvestment.
And that’s just the start. AI is optimizing email campaigns, segmenting audiences, localizing content, and even writing SEO-optimized blog posts. Over the next 18 to 24 months, marketing departments will likely become leaner, faster, and far more tech-driven.
But here’s the thing: no matter how efficient AI becomes, it can’t shake your hand. It can’t look you in the eye and make you smile. It can’t hand you a product sample or spark a moment of joy in a crowd.
What AI Can’t Do: Build a Real-World Connection
This is where experiential marketing shines and where brands have an extraordinary opportunity.
With AI slashing costs, the smartest brands aren’t just pocketing the savings. They’re reinvesting in something AI can’t touch: human connection. Live brand experiences—activations, events, pop-ups, installations—tap into emotional, social, and sensory dimensions that digital media simply can’t replicate.
And in a world increasingly shaped by screens, automation, and algorithms, people are craving authenticity and presence. They want to connect, not just click.
Experiential Marketing: The Brand Advantage AI Can’t Replace
Here’s why doubling down on experiential is more important than ever:
It Builds Emotional Affinity That Sticks
Experiential marketing doesn’t just inform—it immerses. When a brand invites you to be part of a real-world experience, it creates memories. And memories build meaning.
In fact, 87% of consumers say live experiences are more effective at forming lasting brand connections than traditional advertising. And a whopping 91% say they’re more inclined to buy after an experience.
Whether it’s a tasting station, an interactive art installation, or a branded retail experience, these moments create the emotional context digital ads can’t.
It Turns Customers Into Communities
Experiences don’t just connect people to brands—they connect people to each other. A well-executed activation becomes a shared moment, a talking point, a story.
That’s community-building in action, and it’s one of the most powerful ways to drive loyalty in today’s fractured attention economy. Brands like Vans, Red Bull, and Glossier have built cult-like followings by giving their audiences something to show up for.
And here’s the kicker: community breeds advocacy. When people feel part of something, they spread the word for free.
It Converts—Big Time
Experiential marketing isn’t just a feel-good investment. It drives real results. According to EventTrack:
- 85% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy after attending a branded event
- 70–74% become repeat customers
- 98% create user-generated content from their experience
Unlike traditional channels, where results can be fuzzy, experiential campaigns often drive measurable lifts in both sentiment and sales.
It Delivers the Kind of Data You Can’t Get Elsewhere
AI thrives on data—but where does that data come from? Experiential events are rich sources of first-party insights. From attendee behavior and sentiment to dwell times and qualitative feedback, brand activations provide incredibly nuanced input that can inform everything from product design to campaign strategy.
The best part? You own that data.
Reinvesting AI Savings Strategically
Let’s go back to that $150,000 in savings. Instead of rolling it into more performance ads or padding margins, consider this:
- Host a multi-city pop-up series
- Launch a flagship brand experience at a cultural event
- Bring your product into unexpected places where consumers are already gathering
- Build a live experience around your digital campaign to create emotional depth and cultural relevance
And don’t stop there—document, measure, amplify. Great experiential campaigns live long past the event through smart content strategy and social sharing.
The Future Belongs to Hybrid Thinkers
AI is the most powerful tool marketers have had in decades. But it’s just that: a tool. The brands that will thrive in this new era are the ones that use AI to create space for what matters most: human connection.
So as your marketing spend becomes more efficient, don’t just cut costs. Reinvest in the one thing AI can’t do: making people feel something real.
Need help turning your AI savings into unforgettable brand experiences? A Little Bird is ready to bring your brand to life in the real world. Let’s make something worth remembering. Contact us!