
As business leaders steer their organisations through 2026, major shifts in marketing strategy are emerging. Influencer and partner marketing, once reserved for consumer brands, are now critically important elements of comprehensive marketing plans across both B2B and B2C sectors. Connected technologies and data-driven tactics mean that professionals can build vast ecosystems of strategic marketing partners, using advanced automation and analytics to achieve precise returns on investment. The search for effective allies, the selection process and the strategies for long-term engagement are now central to success as markets grow more competitive.