Here are 6 short, but powerful things you should know:

1. AI Search: Black Friday and Cyber Monday

34% of likely Black Friday and Cyber Monday shoppers plan to use AI tools for shopping this year, which is more than last year’s total of 16%.

2. New AI-Powered Ad Creation Tool

X Lift is an automated ad creation process that can convert a business’ URL into a series of ad options in just a few clicks.

We will test it for a client and see how it works.

3. Google: More Gemini Users Must Pay

If you use Gemini without paying, Friday, October 9 that changed. Free users of Gemini now only get Flash-Lite, Google’s lightest model.

Gemini 3.6 Flash and Gemini 3.1 Pro, both free until now, are leaving the free plan.

The $4.99 a month AI Plus plan gets Flash-Lite and Flash, but not Pro. The $19.99 a month Pro plan gets the Pro plan that now includes Deep Think, Google’s slow-and-careful reasoning mode, which used to sit behind plans costing $99.99 a month or more.

4. Mastercard: The Closer to Christmas, The Higher Price the Purchase

Across on-line in store purchases during the Christmas season, Mastercard says average purchase values increased each day beginning December 15, and reached their highest point on Christmas Eve.

5. AI Christmas Shoppers: Different Buying Patterns

Mastercard did a review of AI Christmas shoppers. Mastercard examined spending by consumers it identified as “AI power users,” defined as people with paid AI subscriptions and compared their activity with consumers without paid subscriptions.

AI power users spread their spending across a broader range of merchants, including smaller and boutique companies according to Mastercard.

The pattern was particularly apparent in categories such as beauty services, specifically food stores, florists and restaurants.

AI users also tended to begin Christmas shopping earlier. During the 2025 Christmas season, AI shoppers spent a larger share of their Christmas dollars before Thanksgiving than non-AI users, particularly on travel, clothing and jewelry.

6. Mastercard Sees 11% Growth in Christmas Spending

Online Christmas sales is projected to increase 11% from 2025 according to Mastercard.

In-store retails sales are expected to rise 3.6%. Mastercard said higher prices also are expected to account for about half of the projected spending growth.

Unlock Explosive Growth with CDMG, Inc.
Your Partner for Digital Success

In today’s fast-paced world, you need more than just an agency—you need a partner who drives growth, amplifies your brand, and delivers results that matter. That’s where CDMG comes in.

We’re not just another ad agency. We are a top advertising and marketing powerhouse that specializes in driving real, measurable results and profits. Our award-winning team, led by marketing veterans Craig and Caleb Huey, is dedicated to supercharging your advertising efforts and transforming your business.

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
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…and much more!

Whether you’re looking to launch a new product, reposition your brand, or supercharge your e-commerce growth, CDMG is the partner you need to dominate your market.

Are you ready to see how we can drive your growth?
Let’s talk. Call Michael Oppenheimer at 615-933-4647 or email [email protected] today. Don’t wait—start transforming your marketing results now with CDMG, Inc.

Act now, grow faster, and achieve more with CDMG.