Terrie Ard returns to discuss the findings of the 2026 M.Cast™ Trends Report. She explains the importance of adopting a "futurist mindset" and looking for signals and patterns of change to anticipate what is coming next, rather than simply reacting to the present.

Terrie explains the concept of the "Invisible AI Revolution," predicting that artificial intelligence will soon move from a novelty tool to transparent infrastructure, much like the internet and electricity have in the past. Because of this shift, an organization's true competitive advantage will not be the technology itself, but rather "durable skills" — distinctly human capabilities like critical thinking, empathy, and strategy.

Abbie and Terrie also discuss the trend of "Verified or Vulnerable," highlighting why proving trust is a business imperative in an era of skepticism and misinformation. Terrie offers practical advice for leaders on how to use third-party validation and data transparency to earn that trust and how to apply the report’s framework to their 2026 marketing plans.

Key Takeaways

1. Think Like a Futurist: Success requires looking for patterns and implications to act on trends before they become mainstream, shifting focus from "what's now" to "what's next".
2. The Invisible AI Revolution: We are approaching a point where AI will become "invisible" infrastructure, seamlessly embedded into business operations rather than functioning as a standalone tool.
3. The Human Competitive Advantage: As AI becomes a commodity, the organizations that win will be those that prioritize human strengths—such as critical thinking, strategy, and authentic storytelling.
4. Verified or Vulnerable: In an age of deepfakes and misinformation, reputation alone is not enough; brands must provide "verifiable proof" through data, certifications, and real customer testimonials to earn trust.

About the Guest

As Partner, President & COO, Terrie Ard leads the strategic direction and growth of Moore, a future-forward agency, including key initiatives, partnerships, and client development. With a passion for collaboration and culture building, Terrie oversees the Moore Team, boasting a 92% retention rate. Her leadership and insight have propelled the agency to achieve a remarkable 98% client retention rate, positioning it as a top 50 marketing agency nationally and top 200 globally.

With 30 years of marketing and business strategy experience, Terrie has been instrumental in leading the integration of artificial intelligence into the agency's operations, client servicing, and product development, enhancing innovation and efficiency in marketing campaigns and internal processes. Terrie's expertise in corporate positioning, branding, and crisis communications, combined with her passion for innovation, has solidified her reputation as a visionary leader in the industry.

A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Terrie is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). She has been recognized by Florida Trend as one of the top 500 most influential leaders. She is a recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association Stanley Tait Award for Leadership, the American Advertising...