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The drop.

It’s the hottest trend in digital marketing. And it encapsulates everything brands today want: "cool kid" street cred, tech savvy, word-of-mouth, exclusive customer experiences, social media buzz (fueled by celebrities), and, most importantly, merchandise flying off the shelves.

Is the beginning of widespread Artificial Intelligence (AI) finally here? Seemingly every day brings some big announcement, from breakthrough findings in ALS research generated by AI data mining to AI-powered phone calls that sound convincingly human (Google’s Duplex).

Last month we attended the annual retail supershow known as NRF. (Officially it’s the “National Retail Federation’s Big Show” but everyone just uses the acronym.) Held in Manhattan, it is indeed big – with more than 600 exhibitors vying for the attention of some 35,000 attendees.It’s tough to stand out, particularly if you’re not a top sponsor or aren’t dropping big bucks on a huge booth.

Here at CoreMedia we talk a lot about how brands can deliver great online experiences. But part of our bigger vision is enabling retailers to deliver great in-store experiences as well. And this is a very hot topic right now, as retailers rush to provide their customers – particularly millennials – with not just products to purchase but also experiences to savor (and share).

Though initially slow to embrace eCommerce, luxury retailers are catching up fast. In fact, some of the most exciting innovation has been happening in this sector recently, as major fashion brands seek to create immersive customer experiences that amplify and enhance traditional in-store transactions.

Unprecedented – That’s the word being used to describe the jarring scenes taking place around the world. Deserted cityscapes. Plummeting markets and skyrocketing unemployment. Hospital ICUs overflowing with critically ill patients. It all feels like something out of an episode of “Black Mirror” or “The Twilight Zone.”

Recently the analyst firm Gartner released its Magic Quadrant focused on the emerging suite of technologies known as “Digital Experience Platforms” (DXPs for short). The firm’s publication of the report – only its second-ever to focus on this market – is a strong indication that the term is here to stay.Gartner isn't the only analyst firm to focus on this topic.

The beginning of the year is the usual time to talk about challenges – especially for retailers. And while I respect the instinct, what I don’t like is the implication that challenges are external burdens a business has to overcome. Faced with tough times, companies are expected to assume a defensive, crouching position. Hold on and hope for the best