Building a Solid Stack

In 2026 your marketing technology stack is more important than ever. It’s unimaginable these days to manage campaigns, create content and analyse data without using AI-powered tools. But most organisations use 20-40 tools in their creative operations workflow, and if that MarTech stack is built badly then your operational efficiency will fall faster than a Jenga tower. 

However, if you build the stack right, you’ll connect your organisation’s creativity, content, and customer data into one high-performing ecosystem. As we explain in our deep-dive on MarTech stacks, this means unlocking: 

• Centralised assets and product info
• Faster content creation
• More consistent branding
• More actionable analytics
• Stronger efficiency 

We’ve set out the top AI-powered tools below, but first a word to the wise. Marketers who’ll win in 2026 are those who embrace a shift in mindset. Content is no longer a marketing deliverable, it’s a business asset. 

Forget using tech for tech’s sake, the smart investment is on leveraging AI strategically to help your marketing team – and your wider organisation – meet its goals. Aim to get maximum efficiency from your digital assets and content as a way to realise business growth and value.

1. For Workflow and Orchestration

AI tools don’t just perform tasks in siloes. Some can help link together every stage of the content lifecycle from ideation to delivery – through an AI-powered solution called a digital asset management (DAM) platform.

Solutions like the market-leading DAM platform Canto are vital if you’re looking to:

• Automate asset organisation using AI metadata management
• Streamline approvals with intelligent workflow management
• Deliver channel-ready content faster with automated distribution
• Instantly discover content with AI-powered search and facial recognition
• Protect your brand with AI-powered templates

2. Content and Copy Generation

Combined with a DAM platform, these AI content creation tools streamline everything from blog drafting to email personalisation – meaning you can ideate and iterate faster:

• Open AI / ChatGPT: Advanced natural-language generation used in many marketing platforms
• Jasper: Content templates for ads and blogs
• Copy.ai / Writesonic: Short-form copy and headline generation
• Sudowrite / Rytr: Creating and re-writing assistants

3. Image, Video, and Design Creation

Need to create, refine, test and localise creative assets quickly? Look no further than these visual AI tools and image generators:

• Midjourney / DALL-E 3 / Stable Diffusion: Generate custom visuals from text prompts
• Runway / Pika Labs: AI-powered video editing and animation
• Adobe Firefly / Canva AI: Built-in AI features for design teams

4. Ad and Campaign Optimisation

A key layer in every MarTech stack are these AI advertising tools which maximise ROI and minimise the need for manual fine-tuning. Some of the tools below can also forecast the impact of campaigns and spend before you go live, making them indispensable for marketers focusing on growth and performance:

• Blaze.ai: Automates content creation and multi-channel distribution
• Albert AI / Acquisio / Adext: Dynamic budget allocation and bid optimisation
• Persado / Phrasee: Data-driven ad copy testing and refinement

5. Analytics, Segmentation, and Personalisation

Most marketers know that your decisions are only as good as your data. If you’re looking to enhance the value of your data and make it more actionable, guess what – there’s an AI tool for that too. These AI-powered analytics tools identify patterns quickly and easily:

• HubSpot AI / Salesforce Einstein: Embedded AI for CRM and pipeline forecasting
• Optimove / 7th Sense: Predictive customer journeys
• Mixpanel / Pendo: Behavior-based content personalization

Your MarTech Stack Built on AI

So, as you dive into your marketing strategy for 2026, remember that AI-powered tools are way more than a trend. They can transform not only what your organisation creates and distributes, but how you operate. 

It’s totally achievable to work with a solid, successful MarTech stack – but only if you build the right foundation.