Naver announced on Nov. 3 that it will launch “AdBoost Screen,” a digital out-of-home advertising solution powered by artificial intelligence. The photo shows Naver’s AdBoost Screen. (Image provided by Naver)
SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — CJ Mezzomedia, a leading integrated digital marketing firm in South Korea, projects that artificial intelligence will upend nearly every corner of the advertising industry next year, reshaping consumer behavior, media consumption and how brands reach customers.
In its newly released “2026 Trend Report,” published Dec. 1, the company identified four key themes expected to define the advertising and marketing landscape: AI-powered marketing, discovery-based commerce, OTT advertising, and AI-enabled digital out-of-home (DOOH) media.
AI Set to Automate the Full Advertising Pipeline
CJ Mezzomedia forecasts that AI will soon automate the entire advertising workflow — from audience targeting and bidding to real-time performance measurement — dramatically improving efficiency and return on investment.
The report also predicts the rise of hyper-personalized video ads, with AI customizing visuals and voiceovers to match individual preferences. The company expects the emergence of AI-only social media platforms, where users create, share and engage with AI-generated video content.
Discovery Commerce Replaces Search-Driven Shopping
The firm says e-commerce is rapidly shifting from intention-based shopping — where users search for specific products — to discovery-based consumption, where shoppers encounter items organically through content.
As AI recommendation engines become more proactive, suggesting products without user prompts, brands will need new strategies to influence AI agents’ product selections, the report notes.
OTT Platforms Pivot Toward Advertising
Competition in the streaming market is also shifting, the company said, moving from subscriber acquisition to advertising revenue. CJ Mezzomedia highlights the emerging synergy between OTT platforms and commerce, with greater potential for shoppable OTT ads that directly drive purchases.
AI DOOH Enters a New Growth Phase
Digital out-of-home advertising is entering what the firm describes as a “second golden age,” supported by rapid technological advancements and deregulation. The report predicts a transition from traditional programmatic DOOH to AI-driven DOOH, where machine-learning systems optimize placements and creative in real time.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
