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52Mar 10, 2026 · 42 minTechnology

The Future of Brand Activations in 2026

We explore how brands are leveraging AI and immersive technology to create next-level experiential campaigns that drive real engagement.

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Episode Summary

In this forward-looking episode, Sarah Mitchell from Momentum Worldwide joins Joey to discuss the cutting-edge technologies reshaping brand activations. From AI-powered personalization engines that adapt experiences in real-time to spatial computing environments that blur the line between physical and digital, Sarah shares her vision for where the industry is headed. They dive deep into case studies from major consumer brands that have already started implementing these technologies, the challenges of scaling immersive experiences, and why authenticity remains the cornerstone of effective activations even as technology evolves. Sarah also reveals the internal frameworks Momentum uses to evaluate emerging tech for client campaigns.

Key Takeaways

  • AI personalization can increase engagement by 3-5x when implemented authentically
  • Spatial computing is moving from novelty to necessity in brand activations
  • The most successful activations combine emerging tech with human-centered storytelling
  • Budget allocation is shifting: 30% of experiential budgets now go to technology integration

Timestamps

0:00Introduction and Sarah's background
3:45The current state of brand activations
8:20AI-powered personalization in experiential
15:30Spatial computing case studies
22:10Scaling immersive experiences
28:45Evaluating emerging tech for campaigns
35:00Predictions for 2027 and beyond
39:30Rapid-fire questions and wrap-up

Featured Guest

SM

Sarah Mitchell

VP of Experiential

Momentum Worldwide