The landscape of marketing is undergoing a seismic shift, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of this transformation. With 75% of marketers stating that AI provides them with a competitive edge, the question isn't whether businesses should adopt AI—but rather, how quickly they can integrate it before they fall behind.
The Case for AI in Marketing
The latest research from The State of AI in Marketing 2025 reveals that companies slow to embrace AI are at risk of losing their competitive advantage. Here’s why AI is becoming essential for businesses in New Zealand:
1. Faster Decision-Making & Content Delivery
Speed is everything in modern marketing. According to the research, 84% of AI-driven companies report significantly faster content delivery. AI-powered tools can analyse data in real-time, helping marketers make quicker, more informed decisions about campaigns, audience targeting, and messaging.
2. Increased Cost Efficiency
AI doesn’t just improve performance—it also cuts costs. 43% of businesses leveraging AI have achieved significant cost reductions, whether through automation of repetitive tasks, optimisation of ad spend, or predictive analytics that reduce wasted marketing efforts.
3. Enhanced Content Creation
Content is king, but AI is revolutionising the way it’s created. A staggering 85% of companies say that AI-assisted content creation matches or surpasses human-only efforts. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and MidJourney enable businesses to generate blog posts, social media content, and even video scripts at scale—without sacrificing quality.
4. Improved Team Productivity
AI is freeing up valuable time for marketing teams, with reports showing that businesses save over five hours per week by automating tasks such as data analysis, customer segmentation, and email marketing. This allows teams to focus on strategy, creativity, and high-value tasks.
5. The Competitive Gap is Widening
Perhaps the most striking finding? 9 out of 10 marketers plan to increase their AI investment in 2025. Businesses that fail to adapt risk being outpaced by competitors who are leveraging AI to drive efficiency, personalisation, and innovation.
What Areas of Marketing Should Businesses Improve?
To stay competitive, businesses must assess and upgrade their marketing strategies by focusing on key areas where AI delivers the most impact:
Personalisation & Customer Insights – AI can analyse customer behavior, enabling businesses to deliver hyper-personalised experiences.
Automated Campaigns & Chatbots – AI-powered automation tools streamline email marketing, social media management, and customer interactions.
Predictive Analytics – AI helps businesses forecast trends, understand customer needs, and optimize marketing strategies before competitors.
SEO & Content Optimisation – AI-driven SEO tools ensure that content ranks higher and remains relevant in search engines.
Ad Performance & ROI Tracking – AI-powered advertising tools optimise ad placements, reducing costs and increasing conversion rates.
What About the 25% Who Haven’t Adopted AI?
If AI is so beneficial, why are some businesses still hesitant? The reasons vary—from concerns about implementation costs to a reluctance to change existing processes. However, the reality is clear: businesses that fail to embrace AI risk being left behind as their competitors gain an insurmountable edge.
The Future of AI in Marketing: Responsibility & Innovation
AI isn’t about replacing human creativity—it’s about enhancing it. The most successful marketers in 2025 will be those who embrace AI thoughtfully, using it to automate tasks while preserving the human touch that makes brands relatable and trustworthy.
As AI reshapes marketing at an unprecedented pace, the question remains: Is your business positioned on the right side of this divide? If not, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until your competitors have pulled too far ahead—start integrating AI into your marketing strategy today.
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