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BRANDEDAuthor: Ben Kaplan and TOP Thought Leader
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AI BUBBLES, DOW 50K, and AD FRANCHISES
Monday, 23 February, 2026
Is the economy booming, or is the DOW 50K just a shiny brand hiding a "K-shaped" disaster? This week on Branded, Ben Kaplan exposes why Big Tech is gambling $650 BILLION on an AI future that hasn't paid a single bill yet. We’re breaking down the shift from "one-night stand" commercials to Super Bowl franchises and why the Olympics are turning every living room into a data-driven "addressable unit".In this episode, we dive into:SUPER BOWL Winners & Losers: How Dunkin’ built a "universe" while others spent $10 million just to sponsor a meme.The $650B AI Gamble: Why investors are flinching at Big Tech’s massive spending and "soulless" AI creative.The $600K "Translator": Why Microsoft and Google are hiring creators to make complex tech feel human.DOW 50,000 vs. REALITY: The branding problem of a "strong" economy when groceries cost 30% more.Olympic Micro-Moments: How Milano Cortina 2026 is changing the economics of global sponsorship.Are you building a brand infrastructure, or just paying for a stunt that people will forget by Monday?
