Global Marketers Are Rewriting Growth in the Algorithmic Era: Dentsu Unveils 2026 CMO Navigator

Dentsu announced the release of its CMO Navigator – Media Edition 2026, the latest installment of its global CMO research series exploring how marketing leaders are transforming their organizations in response to rapid shifts in technology, consumer behavior, and media.

Key Global Findings:

The rise of the Perceptive CMO
Dentsu identifies a new cohort of “Perceptive CMOs” – those whose views most closely align with consumers. Representing 17% of global CMOs, this group outperforms peers on revenue, innovation, and transformation readiness. They embrace AI more fully, invest earlier in new media ecosystems, and are more likely to work for organizations with double-digit growth.

A wave of optimism is powering investment
Despite consumer pessimism, the majority of CMOs report strong business results, with 90% seeing revenue growth over the past 12 months. This momentum is fueling increased marketing budgets, particularly in North America and LATAM.

AI is now central to the CMO mandate
CMOs say “redesigning marketing in the age of AI” has become a core responsibility, on par with customer satisfaction and customer-base growth. Nine in ten report emerging AI capabilities are already reshaping their strategies – from efficiency gains to the development of net new offerings.

Media has become the most powerful growth engine
With global advertising spend forecast to surpass $1 trillion in 2026, CMOs overwhelmingly agree that media is now critical to business performance. As media becomes increasingly algorithmic and shoppable, leaders are turning to attention-based planning, AI-augmented search, and creator-driven ecosystems to connect with consumers. But CMOs also report that their biggest concern surrounds a lack of transparency and visibility from closed technology platforms.

Entertainment partnerships are accelerating
Ninety-one percent of CMOs are increasing investment in sports, gaming, and entertainment IP to reach audiences where cultural influence happens – Mexico (44%), UK (40%) and India (40%) leading the way on “significantly increasing investment.” More specifically, more than 85% of all CMOs are increasing investment in anime IP, and gaming partnerships are now mainstream across most regions, with less than 1 in 10 not pursuing any gaming-related strategies at all.

“CMOs are operating in the most dynamic marketing environment we’ve ever seen, and this year’s Navigator shows a profession leaning into change rather than resisting it,” said Will Swayne, Global Practice President, Media, dentsu. “Whether it’s AI, new forms of entertainment, or emerging media behaviors, the most successful CMOs are those who translate complexity into meaningful, culturally connected brand experiences. Media has officially moved from being a channel to being a true engine of growth.”

Media++
The media landscape is evolving at unprecedented speed. Consumers navigate an unbound world where every touchpoint is addressable, automated, and connected. To remain relevant, brands and agencies must continuously perform and transform. Dentsu’s Media++ approach addresses this challenge by embedding transparency, agility and intelligence into planning and activation, ensuring that every impression counts and every investment delivers impact.

Media++ is dentsu’s growth engine, a strategic evolution designed to position media as the flywheel that powers integrated solutions across creative, CXM, data, and technology. In an era where every brand competes for attention in an algorithm-driven world, Media++ ensures that media is not just a channel but a catalyst for transformation and measurable outcomes.

About the CMO Navigator – Media Edition
The CMO Navigator is a global research series designed to help leaders understand shifting consumer expectations, emerging cultural forces, and the evolution of marketing and media. Visit herefor your copy.

About dentsu
Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world’s leading organizations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now present in approximately 120 countries and regions, it has a proven track record of nurturing and developing innovations, combining the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for clients. Dentsu delivers end-to-end experience transformation (EX) by integrating its services

across Media, CXM and Creative, while its business transformation (BX) mindset pushes the boundaries of transformation and sustainable growth for brands, people and society.

Dentsu, Innovating to Impact.

Find out more: www.dentsu.com/ www.group.dentsu.com