Key Takeaways:
- AEO/GEO is becoming mandatory. If AI doesn’t recommend your company, you’re invisible to millions of prospects.
- Google AI Overviews are reshaping search results, meaning only a few brands may be cited.
- Connected TV (CTV) combines television persuasion with digital targeting and measurable ROI.
- TikTok has become a search engine for product discovery.
- Direct mail retargeting turns anonymous website visitors into powerful multi-channel prospects.
- AI Transactional Data Modeling identifies “buy-alike audiences” based on real purchase behavior.
The Marketing Landscape Is Changing Fast
Marketing is getting harder.
Costs are rising.
Response rates in many traditional channels aren’t as strong as they once were.
Many marketers are still relying on media strategies developed years ago — when those channels were new and competition was lower.
Meanwhile…
A new generation of marketing tools is producing dramatically higher ROI for the companies willing to test them.
But many marketers are overlooking them — or ignoring them completely.
Here are five powerful strategies smart marketers are implementing today.
Strategy #1: AEO / GEO: The New Visibility Strategy
If your company isn’t optimizing for AI answers…
You probably are invisible.
Millions of consumers and businesses now use AI tools such as:
• ChatGPT
• Google Gemini
• Grok
• Microsoft Copilot
Instead of traditional search.
They ask questions like:
• “What’s the best CRM for small businesses?”
• “Which investing platform has the best reviews?”
• “Which energy supplement works?”
And the AI gives them a short list of recommendations.
Often just two or three brands.
If your company is not included…
You don’t exist to that prospect.
In order to be sound by AI, you need to use AEO and GEO strategies.
Here is what AEO and GEO mean:
AEO — Answer Engine Optimization
Optimizing content so AI systems can easily extract and recommend your company when answering questions.
GEO — Generative Engine Optimization
Optimizing your brand’s presence so generative AI models consistently reference and recommend your company.
Why This Matters
Consumers increasingly trust AI-generated answers.
Recent surveys show over 80% of users rely on AI summaries to guide research and purchasing decisions.
But AI systems favor:
• authoritative content
• expert sources
• structured answers
• credible citations
• clear product comparisons
Companies that optimize now are far more likely to become permanent recommendations inside AI systems.
Companies that wait may find it extremely difficult to break into those AI answer sets later.
That’s why every marketing campaign we run for our CDMG ad agency clients now includes AEO/GEO optimization.
Strategy #2: Google AI Overviews: The New Gatekeeper
Google Search itself is changing.
Instead of simply showing website links…
Google increasingly displays AI-generated summaries at the top of search results.
These summaries — often called AI Overviews — analyze multiple sources and provide an instant answer.
This AI summary shapes the buyer’s perception.
If your company is cited inside the summary…
You gain enormous credibility.
If not…
You may never even be seen.
What Smart Marketers Are Doing
Forward-thinking companies are optimizing content specifically for AI summaries by:
• creating authoritative long-form content
• using clear question-and-answer structures
• publishing comparison guides
• demonstrating expertise and credibility
• building strong brand citations across the web
The companies that master this early will dominate AI-driven search visibility.
Strategy #3: Connected TV Advertising (CTV)
Television is no longer just broadcast.
Streaming platforms have created a powerful new category called Connected TV (CTV).
And it’s one of the fastest-growing advertising channels in the world.
Connected TV advertising appears on streaming platforms such as:
• YouTube
• Hulu
• Roku
• Amazon Prime Video
Unlike traditional TV…
CTV allows precision targeting and better ROI.
You can show your commercial only to people who match specific demographics, interests, or even your own customer database.
Why Marketers Love CTV
CTV combines two powerful advantages:
- Direct Response television persuasion
- Video storytelling, especially when written with direct response copy still sells
Plus, you can track impressions, conversions, and retarget viewers.
And even better…
Advertisers can feed their own customer or prospect data into CTV platforms — ensuring only their target prospects see the ads.
That’s the strategy we record for our clients.
It’s precise targeting.
It’s your prospect or client list.
Or it’s AI based Transactional Data Modeling (TDM).
No wasted impressions. Just your best targeted audience.
Strategy #4: TikTok: The New Discovery Engine
TikTok has quietly become a powerful search engine.
Nearly half of U.S. consumers report using TikTok for search-like behavior.
People search for:
• product recommendations
• tutorials
• comparisons
• reviews
This is especially powerful for product discovery.
And with the U.S. protecting Americans from Communist Chinese influence and data collection, it’s safe for marketers now.
For many brands, TikTok has generated:
• viral product exposure
• millions of views
• sudden spikes in sales
Marketers who understand TikTok’s algorithm can create enormous organic reach.
Strategy #5: AI Transactional Data Modeling
One of the most powerful new strategies uses AI Transactional Data Modeling.
This goes far beyond traditional look-alike audiences used by digital platforms.
Instead of modeling prospects based on demographics or interests…
AI analyzes actual purchasing transactions and purchasing behavior.
From this data it builds a buy-alike audience.
In other words:
AI identifies people most likely to purchase because their buying behavior matches your best customers.
This data can be used for:
- direct mail targeting
- digital advertising
- email marketing
- multi-channel campaigns
- CTV
The result?
More precise targeting.
Less wasted ad spend.
And dramatically improved ROI.
Strategy #6: Direct Mail Retargeting
A visitor comes to your website or landing page.
They don’t fill out a form.
They don’t buy.
Normally, they disappear.
And you never know who they are.
But with direct mail retargeting, their physical mailing address can often be matched using anonymous website data.
Within days they receive a personalized direct mail piece referencing the product or offer they viewed.
This combines two powerful forces:
• digital intent data
• physical mailbox impact
When used in a multi-channel campaign, direct mail can increase response rates by as much as 87%.
I could have included Geofencing and other key strategies. But I hope this inspires you to test new strategies for profits and growth.
Action: Learn How These Strategies Can Work for You
If you’d like to explore how these strategies could work for your company, our team would be glad to help.
Action #1
Contact Michael at CDMG to learn more about any of these five strategies and how they could apply to your business.
There’s no obligation.
Action #2
Request a free AI visibility audit.
We’ll analyze how AI engines currently view your company and products.
Many executives are shocked by what they discover.
It’s free. You can contact Michael at 615-933-4647 or [email protected].
Action #3
Interested in AI transactional data modeling?
Our data team can show how buy-alike modeling can identify your best prospects. Call Michael at 615-933-4647 or email him at [email protected].
Action #4
If you want to implement any of these strategies, our creative and marketing team at Creative Direct Marketing Group is ready to help.
We’ve:
• won 124 marketing awards
• tested over 10,000 marketing variables
• helped companies grow from startups to multi-million-dollar businesses
And helped large companies grow even larger.
FAQs:
What is AEO?
AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) ensures your company appears in answers generated by AI systems like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, and Copilot.
How is GEO different from SEO?
SEO focuses on ranking webpages. GEO focuses on ensuring AI systems reference and recommending your brand.
Why is AI Transactional Data Modeling powerful?
Because it uses real purchasing data to identify people most likely to buy — instead of guessing based on demographics.
Is direct mail still effective?
Yes. When integrated into multi-channel campaigns, direct mail often significantly increases response rates.
Is Connected TV measurable like digital ads?
Yes. CTV allows detailed targeting, measurement, and retargeting — while maintaining the persuasive power of television.
About Craig Huey:
Craig Huey is President of Creative Direct Marketing Group (CDMGinc.com), a 30-year leader in direct response advertising and multi-channel marketing. Under his leadership, CDMG has:
- Tested more than 10,000 digital marketing variables.
- Mailed over 10 million pieces of direct mail in the last year alone.
- Won more than 120 awards for marketing excellence.
Craig is also the publisher of Direct Marketing Update, the trusted newsletter for company presidents and marketing directors looking to maximize ROI with cutting-edge, accountable advertising strategies.
Let CDMG Be Your Partner in Driving Growth
Media Help, Copy Help, Testing Help, D2C, and e-Commerce Help
CDMG is more than an ad agency
Let us be your second opinion
CDMG’s award-winning team, run by marketing veterans Craig and Caleb Huey, is dedicated to improving your advertising, marketing, branding, and bottom line with a proven approach that maximizes response rates and ROI.
With expertise in media, data, digital, and creative strategy, we’ve earned over 120 prestigious awards, in 2024 alone.
Why CDMG?
- Proven Success: 120 prestigious awards in 2024 alone.
- Data-Driven Strategy: We don’t guess. We know what works. Our campaigns are crafted with precision to deliver maximum ROI.
- Expertise Across the Board: From media buying to digital copywriting, testing, and direct-to-consumer strategies—we’ve got it all covered.
- Real Results: We’ve helped launch new products, reposition brands, and turn small businesses into multimillion-dollar success stories.
Let us help with your video needs!
We produce:
• Pre-roll videos
• Video sales letters (VSLs)
• TV commercials
• Infomercials
• Addressable TV
• Videologs
…and much more!
Our team has launched new products… and helped reposition companies to a higher level. Our strategies and tactics have generated leads, and built powerhouse e-commerce programs that have helped turn small businesses into multimillion dollar success stories and grown large companies.
Our formula is data driven, accountable advertising that supercharges your growth. Every campaign is crafted precisely, focusing on what matters most to drive your success.
Let’s discuss your marketing challenges and give you a second opinion.
Contact Michael Oppenheimer at 615-933-4647 or email him at [email protected].
Start transforming your marketing results today with CDMG, Inc.
Key Takeaways
- AEO/GEO is becoming mandatory. If AI doesn’t recommend your company, you’re invisible to millions of prospects.
- Google AI Overviews are reshaping search results, meaning only a few brands may be cited.
- Connected TV (CTV) combines television persuasion with digital targeting and measurable ROI.
- TikTok has become a search engine for product discovery.
- Direct mail retargeting turns anonymous website visitors into powerful multi-channel prospects.
- AI Transactional Data Modeling identifies “buy-alike audiences” based on real purchase behavior.