The human art of direct messaging in the age of AI

In this episode of "MediaTalk," host Mike Reynolds delves into the changing ways that brands — including news publishers, podcasters, enterprises and retailers — are connecting with consumers amidst the chaos of information overload, much of which is influenced by AI. Joining him are Mike Donoghue and Sarah Schmidt from Subtext, a platform that enables bilateral, two-way communication between publishers, creators and their audiences through text messaging. Joining the episode are S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research analysts Raúl Castañón and Zach Ciampa. Together, the group discusses the challenges brands face due to media fragmentation and algorithm shifts on social platforms, emphasizing the power of SMS with its uniquely high open rate. The conversation also touches on the role of AI, highlighting its potential for understanding consumer sentiment while stressing the importance of maintaining a human touch in interactions. The episode concludes with insights on how brands can avoid being perceived as spam and the growing significance of personalized messaging in the digital age.