Mastercard Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Raja Rajamannar discusses the shift from generative to agentic AI at CES 2025, highlighting the latter's ability to make decisions and take actions. Rajamannar also emphasizes Mastercard's multisensory marketing strategy, which engages all five senses, and a new partnership with Netflix to create experiential marketing initiatives.

Brands are stepping up to support Los Angeles residents affected by wildfires. Airbnb is providing temporary housing, while Planet Fitness and 24 Hour Fitness are offering access to facilities for residents and first responders. Other companies, such as Everytable, Vetster, Sweetgreen and Figs, are offering services ranging from telehealth to meals and essential supplies.

AI is playing a crucial role in the B2B buying process as 89% of buyers are already utilizing it, with more planning to adopt generative AI within a year, per Forrester's 2024 State of Business Buying report. B2B marketers can enhance their impact by aligning their content with AI search queries, ensuring relevance and intent. By creating unbiased prompt guides, marketers can showcase their expertise and build credibility, ultimately improving their brand's acceptance among buyers.

Bluesky's user base has nearly doubled to 26 million since the presidential election, and the app is gaining attention as an alternative to X and Threads, especially after Meta's controversial policy changes. Brands such as Beyond Meat and American Eagle are experimenting with content on Bluesky, but most advertisers are hesitant to invest heavily due to its smaller user base and lack of paid advertising options. "We tend to tell people that what will really matter is if the niche communities or fandoms start to really make a home on the platform," says Maggie Walsh, head of strategy at Glow.

Wall Street's largest investment banks, including Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase, are planning bonus increases of 10% or more for traders and investment bankers. This marks the biggest bonus since the pandemic, reflecting improved business conditions, optimism for the coming year and banks' desire to retain talent. The increases follow two years of restrained bonuses due to economic challenges and rising interest rates.

Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has led the bank for 15 years with a focus on "responsible growth", a strategy aimed at stabilizing the bank post-financial crisis. Moynihan has avoided risky ventures, prioritizing a balanced approach to risk management. His leadership style is characterized by a steady, cautious approach, which has helped BofA grow to a market capitalization of $350 billion, making it the second-largest bank in the US.

Shopify Finance offers a suite of financial tools tailored for ecommerce merchants, integrating deeply into the Shopify platform. These tools, including Shopify Balance and Shopify Capital Loans, are designed to manage cash flow, simplify banking and provide quick access to funds, with the goal of reducing financial friction and complexities for small business owners, allowing them to focus more on their business operations.