Marketing Gets a Manus Makeover

The scoop: Manus is now available and kicking ChatGPT’s ass when it comes to automating marketing tasks. It’s fast, focused, and honestly? VERY impressive.

It got me thinking about the bigger picture. AI agents are stepping into the spotlight, and it feels like we’re watching the early scenes of a much bigger show. The question is -are they about to become the stars of our marketing stacks, or just another set of tools that need a lot of handholding?

At the same time, AI interactions are getting a much-needed glow-up. We’re starting to see more natural, less robotic conversations—something that could make a real difference in how our brands connect with people.

Let’s dig into this week’s updates and explore what’s next.

🔥 This Week's Hot Takes: AI Marketing Edition

AI Models for Marketers: A Real-World Look at Manus AI vs ChatGPT (lisapeyton.com) – This week I compared Manus AI and ChatGPT - testing them both on identical marketing tasks. My quick take: Manus IS a game-changer for marketers.

AI Agents Are a Moment of Truth for Tech (The Wall Street Journal) – AI agents are shifting from science fiction to standard operating procedure. As they begin to automate complex tasks, marketers face the dual challenge of integrating them without losing the human touch that builds brand trust.

AI Agents Are Coming For Your Job Tasks. Here’s How To Stay Ahead (Forbes) – Bernard Marr urges marketers to focus on human-centric tasks like creativity, empathy, and strategy to stay relevant in the age of AI. Bottom Line: if your job feels like a checklist, an AI agent might already be gunning for it.

Search AI Mode Gets Deep (Search Engine Land) – Google’s new AI-powered research mode aims to synthesize multiple sources in one query, making it easier for marketers to gather insights for content planning. Think of it as AI-powered competitive intel that doesn’t require 47 browser tabs.

AI Marketing: The Industry's Big Questions Answered (The Drum) – Marketers weigh in on big-picture AI questions like the role of AI in creative processes, how to balance automation with authenticity, and whether AI should be a co-creator or just a tool. While answers vary, the consensus is clear: these debates are shaping the future of marketing.

5 Ways to Help Your B2B Organization Succeed With AI Agents (MarTech) – From setting clear objectives to building internal trust, this guide offers a practical roadmap for B2B marketers looking to implement AI agents without causing organizational whiplash.

AI’s Impact on Digital Marketing Jobs: The Highest ROI Opportunity (CMSWire) – AI won't eliminate marketing jobs but will reshape them, especially for roles focused on analysis and production. The biggest ROI? Upskilling your team to play nice with machines.

🧪 The Alchemist's Lab: Tools I've Been Testing

Manus

• What it is: The latest agentic AI platform out of China that's making BIG waves.

• Marketing superpower: Manus goes beyond prompt-based tools, acting as a goal-driven agent capable of handling complex marketing workflows.

• Pricing: Access is now open with varying subscription levels starting at $39 per month.

💼 Industry Moves & Grooves

• According to The Wall Street Journal, tech giants are treating AI agents as the next platform play, much like mobile and cloud were a decade ago. Expect major investments and partnerships.

• CMSWire highlights that content strategists and marketing analysts are in a prime position to harness AI for high-ROI transformation—if they prioritize reskilling.

🎓 AI Marketing Master Class Moment

YouTube Video: "How To Choose The Best LLM"
https://www.youtube.com/live/l1mdtMiJd1c?si=I5Leb_ShfqTpBsAJ

This session provides valuable insights to help marketers determine which AI language model aligns best with their strategic goals and operational needs.

🤖 AI Whispers (That You'll Want to Shout About)

AI agents are no longer a far-off dream; they’re here, and they’re capable of handling multi-step, goal-oriented marketing tasks. This opens the door for faster execution but also demands higher-level strategy from marketers. You need to be the orchestra conductor, not the violin. The key takeaway? Don't fear the bots—lead them.

🔗 Your Weekend AI Marketing Read

The Four Modes of AI Interaction (AI with Allie) – Allie breaks down the four primary ways marketers and users interact with AI: Assistant, Tool, Collaborator, and Agent. Spoiler alert: understanding these modes helps you pick the right AI for the right marketing job—and avoid asking your "Assistant" AI to make strategy decisions like a "Collaborator."

That's a wrap on this week's AI marketing alchemy! Keep experimenting, keep transforming, and remember - true magic happens when we blend AI efficiency with human creativity.

Crafted with passion (and a dash of AI alchemy) by Lisa Peyton | AI Marketer, Professor, and Innovator

Let's connect in the digital realm: https://linktr.ee/lisapeyton

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