Research & Data Quality

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

The ARF Metrics Survey: Insights into Advertising Strategies

• ARF

The ARF Metrics Survey explores critical trends in advertising strategies, including budget allocation, metric usage and targeting solutions. Drawing on insights from agencies and brand-side advertisers, the findings reflect shared priorities, notable differences and challenges in evaluating and optimizing campaign performance. The study highlights the dominance of digital channels, with high-priority channels such as digital video, social media, SEM and television receiving significant budget allocations.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

Overcoming Last-Click Addiction: Strategies for Holistic Marketing Success

• INSIGHTS STUDIOS

Is last-click performance reporting deeply embedded in your organization—and  holding your brand back. On April 10, panelists from OptiMine and NP Digital broke down the risks of last-click measurement and discussed another way forward. Attendees learned about a proven framework to transition from outdated attribution models and how to align the right tools with the right questions for better insights.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

Learn About the Benefits, Limitations and Dangers of Using LLMs in Advertising Research

• By ARF
• Knowledge at Hand

This report offers an abridged version of the cumulative 2025 AI handbook, exploring the benefits, limitations and dangers of generative AI models when employed in various tasks associated with marketing and advertising research. This report sums up the insights from several experiments where ARF researchers tested AI's capabilities in survey design, sentiment analysis, coding open-ended responses, language translation and addressing AI risks.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

How Ratio Framing Shapes Marketing Decisions

• MSI

Marketers often use ratios like ROAS (Return on Advertising Spend) and ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) to communicate campaign efficiency. Researchers in this study find that the way in which these ratios are framed can dramatically influence stakeholder perceptions and decisions. Published in a working paper of the Marketing Science Institute (MSI), the study reveals that even mathematically equivalent ratios can shape contrasting judgments about marketing effectiveness, investment continuation and strategy preferences. This research underscores the psychological power of presentation and calls for smarter framing in marketing metrics.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

Alternative Explanations: Can AI Rethink Its Own Reasoning?

• ARF

Can AI challenge its own conclusions rather than merely reinforcing them? In this ARF experiment, researchers explored whether large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT can go beyond efficiency and exhibit deeper critical thinking skills. By prompting AI to evaluate and compare hypotheses—including its own—this study reveals how LLMs can serve as interpretive collaborators in research and theoretical reasoning.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

The 2025 Guide on Using AI for Advertising Research

• ARF ORIGINAL RESEARCH

This update to the ARF’s first comprehensive handbook, released last year, provides an exploration into the burgeoning technology’s transformative role in marketing and advertising research. It covers the integration of AI into marketing strategies, ethical considerations, future trends and practical case studies. This handbook is an essential guide for advertising research professionals looking to leverage any of the latest AI platforms while ensuring ethical and impactful outcomes.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

The State of Privacy-First Marketing & Redefining Performance

• Insights Studio Series

How we use data today looks different given evolving regulations, platform changes, consumers expectations of data transparency, and more. Our Insights Studio on January 30 explored the latest developments in data privacy and how they are impacting marketing strategies. Panelists unveiled strategies to establish consumer trust and effectively market, while aligning with privacy regulations.

• Research & Data Quality
• Article

AI for Everyday Use

On November 20, the ARF held a workshop exploring prompts, personas and how to use AI responsibly. This dynamic event, designed for advertising and marketing professionals looking to explore the evolving landscape of AI-powered research, provided insights into prompt crafting. Participants also gained a deeper understanding of the promises and pitfalls of using personas in AI-powered advertising and marketing research.