I’m thrilled to sit down with Milena Traikovich, a powerhouse in the world of demand generation and a true innovator in leveraging technology for marketing success. With her deep expertise in analytics, performance optimization, and lead nurturing, Milena has helped countless businesses transform their campaigns into high-impact strategies. Today, we’re diving into the exciting realm of Generative AI and its game-changing role in advertising workflows. We’ll explore how this technology is revolutionizing creativity, speeding up processes, personalizing content at scale, and reshaping the future of marketing. Let’s get started!
How did you first encounter Generative AI, and what sparked your belief in its potential for the advertising world?
I stumbled upon Generative AI a few years back while exploring ways to streamline content creation for a particularly tight deadline. I remember experimenting with early text generation tools and being blown away by how quickly they could churn out ideas for campaign copy. But the real “aha” moment came during a project where we used an AI tool to generate visual concepts for a client. It wasn’t just about speed—it was seeing how AI could offer fresh perspectives we hadn’t considered. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a gimmick; it was a tool that could redefine how we approach advertising.
Can you walk us through how Generative AI is accelerating the creative process for marketing teams?
Absolutely. One of the biggest impacts is in the early stages, like brainstorming and drafting. What used to take hours of back-and-forth meetings to come up with taglines or campaign themes can now happen in minutes with AI tools. For instance, generating multiple versions of ad copy or visual mockups is almost instant. This speed lets teams focus more on refining ideas rather than starting from scratch. It also means campaigns can launch faster, which is critical in today’s fast-paced market where trends shift overnight.
In what ways do you see Generative AI fueling new ideas for advertising campaigns?
AI is like having a tireless brainstorming partner. Tools that generate text or images can spit out dozens of concepts—taglines, story ideas, even mood boards—based on a simple prompt. They’re great at analyzing patterns, like what’s working for competitors or what resonates with specific audiences, and then suggesting unique angles. While it’s not about replacing human creativity, it’s a fantastic springboard. It pushes you to think outside your usual box by offering ideas you might not have landed on otherwise.
How is AI transforming the creation of visuals for ads, especially for teams with limited resources?
It’s a total game-changer for visuals. AI tools can create stunning, high-quality images or even short videos tailored to a campaign’s vibe or audience in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods. For smaller teams or companies on a budget, this is huge. You don’t need a fancy studio or a big production budget to get professional-grade content. I’ve seen startups whip up entire social media campaigns with AI-generated graphics that look just as polished as something from a major agency.
The idea of hyper-personalization comes up a lot with AI. Can you explain how it’s making ads feel more relevant to individual viewers?
Hyper-personalization is where AI really shines. It can analyze massive amounts of data—think user behavior, location, interests—and then create thousands of ad variations to match those unique profiles. For example, two people might see the same product ad, but the messaging, imagery, or even the call-to-action could be tweaked just for them. The results are incredible; I’ve seen engagement rates soar when campaigns get this personal because people feel like the brand truly gets them.
How does AI adapt ad copy to resonate with different cultures or regions beyond just translating words?
AI goes way beyond basic translation. It can adjust tone, slang, and even humor to fit local nuances. I worked on a campaign where we needed to adapt messaging for several regions, and the AI tool didn’t just swap out words—it picked up on cultural references and emotional cues to make the copy feel authentic. It’s about capturing the spirit of a place, not just the language, and that’s what makes the difference in connecting with diverse audiences.
What shifts have you observed in campaign operations since AI started taking on a bigger role?
Campaign operations have become so much more efficient. AI handles a lot of the heavy lifting now, like optimizing media buys or tracking real-time performance data. Automated dashboards give you instant insights, so you’re not drowning in spreadsheets. One of the coolest things is how AI can simulate audience reactions before a campaign even launches, helping us tweak things proactively. It frees up human teams to focus on big-picture strategy while the tech manages the nitty-gritty execution.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for the role of Generative AI in the future of advertising?
I think we’re just scratching the surface. Generative AI will become even more integrated into every step of advertising, from concept to delivery. We’ll see deeper co-creation between humans and machines, where AI handles more complex production tasks and personalization at an even finer level. I also expect ethical guidelines and transparency to become a bigger focus as the tech evolves. Ultimately, brands that embrace AI as a creative partner, not just a tool, will be the ones leading the charge in crafting campaigns that are more innovative, responsive, and impactful.
