Ever wonder where top marketers turn to stay ahead of the curve? In every episode of our podcast, we ask the pros where they go for the latest marketing trends, insights, and strategies.
From thought leaders and industry blogs to customer feedback and cross-industry ideas, their recommendations highlight the tools and connections that matter most.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the eight sources marketing leaders recommend to help you stay informed and ahead in 2025. Read on for the highlights or watch the video below.
1. Influencers and thought leaders on social media
Sources to follow: LinkedIn, Threads, Discord, Feedly, Google Ads Liaison (Ginny Marvin on X).
Influencers and thought leaders are at the forefront of the marketing world, often sharing the latest trends and insights across platforms like LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Discord.
- Rory Hope, Head of EN Growth at HubSpot says, “There’s a wonderful community of influencers and thought leaders whose careers revolve around staying on top of industry changes.” He adds, “Make sure that you’re tracking these conversations on platforms like X or Threads, even if it’s through a silent account.”
- David Bushell, Director at AdGrow, highlights Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin on Twitter, saying, “She’s the first to announce changes to the Google Ads platform.”
2. Marketing industry press, whitepapers, and blogs
Sources to follow: eMarketer, Digiday, IAB, TechCrunch, Forrester, CACI, eConsultancy, Search Engine Journal, Feedly.
Industry-specific press, research, and blogs provide essential insights and updates for understanding broader trends, actionable strategies, and future forecasts.
- Emily Gustin, Senior Associate for Business Development at LinkedIn, shares, “I look at resources like eMarketer, Digiday, IAB, TechCrunch, and Forrester for market research, forecasts, and industry predictions.”
- Paul Mabb, Marketing Analytics Manager at LV=, recommends, “Check out CACI and eConsultancy. They put out excellent white papers categorized into areas like future-proofing and cookieless strategies.”
- David Bushell highlights Search Engine Journal as a key resource.
- Rory Hope suggests using Feedly to compile relevant publications into a daily RSS feed, explaining, “Spend 15 minutes every morning catching up on valuable newsletters and blogs.”
3. Podcasts
Sources to follow: eMarketer’s Behind the Numbers, Marchitecture, Morning Brew Daily.
Podcasts are an excellent way to stay informed while on the go.
- Emily Gustin says, “I’m a big podcast listener. I enjoy eMarketer’s Behind the Numbers and Marchitecture for in-depth discussions, and Morning Brew Daily for bite-sized updates.”
4. Industry events
Sources to follow: NewFronts, Cannes, INBOUND (HubSpot’s conference), Google Marketing Live (Google’s conference).
Conferences and events are invaluable for networking and understanding where the industry is heading.
- Emily Gustin emphasizes, “Even if you can’t attend, read coverage from events like NewFronts and Cannes. They reveal what companies are prioritizing for the coming year.”
- Debra Kaye, Digital Analyst at LV=, notes, “Just talking to other people at these events provides great insights into what’s happening across different industries.”
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5. Industry colleagues
Sources to follow: LinkedIn connections, industry colleagues, mentors.
Networking and mentorship offer unique perspectives that aren’t always available through formal channels.
- Alex Sofronas, Founder and Host of Marketing X Analytics Podcast, advises, “Reach out to people on LinkedIn who have jobs that interest you. Learning from mentors keeps you at the cutting edge.”
- David Bushell shares, “Having a beer with industry colleagues who are always testing and learning has been a key source of knowledge for me.”
6. Customers and partners
Sources to follow: Customer feedback via tools like Gong, partnerships with companies like LinkedIn or HubSpot.
Customer feedback and partnerships can provide a direct line to the challenges and opportunities within the market.
- Emily Gustin stresses, “Talking to customers and partners is critical. At LinkedIn, we use tools like Gong to listen to customer frustrations and needs, which helps us design better strategies.”
7. Coding communities
Sources to follow: StackOverflow, GitHub, data hackathons, coding communities like DataKind.
For marketers in technical roles, coding resources and scripts can save time and enhance productivity.
- Mariama Kamanda, Senior Manager of Data and Analytics at Barilla Group, shares, “StackOverflow and GitHub are my go-to resources for coding questions and repositories of useful scripts.”
- David Bushell adds, “Scripts provide shortcuts and insights into the latest thought leadership. Even if you’re not hands-on, understanding these tools allows you to ask better questions.”
8. Cross-industry insights
Sources to follow: Fintech and other non-marketing industries.
Looking beyond marketing can provide fresh ideas and innovative approaches.
- Jeff Coleman, Leader of Digital Marketing Science at Carter’s, says, “I explore what’s happening in fintech or other industries to find solutions that might translate to marketing challenges.”
Final thoughts
These diverse sources offer a wealth of knowledge for marketers looking to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s following thought leaders, attending events, or digging into technical resources, there’s something here for every type of marketer. Start exploring today!
