2026 is shaping up to be a year where food isn’t just what we eat. It represents who we are, how we feel, and how we connect online and in real life. From the flavors we crave to the experiences we seek, food is becoming a mirror of identity, intention, and imagination. What will replace this year’s protein hacks and fluffy Japanese pancakes? We’re starting to see some emerging trends that will shape CPG marketing in 2026: here are five hot takes.
Why treat your brand activation like a one-night stand when it can be the beginning of a long, meaningful story? When you build your experience around a clear, ownable idea, you’re setting yourself up with content that can fuel your marketing all year long. We connected with our content strategists to offer 10 ways to deliver content that continues to build the relationship beyond the activation.
In 2025, grabbing attention isn’t just the goal, it’s the starting line. Real growth happens when brands build relationships with their consumers that feel personal. And to do that, brands have to bring consumers into the conversation early AND keep that two-way communication going. Your real brand fans want in. They want to help shape the story, contribute to the moment, and feel like they belong in the experience a brand created.
Experiential marketing is no longer just about moments; it’s about movements. In 2025, the brands that lead will be those that prioritize building real, lasting relationships with their audiences. Inspira's Creative Director Treasure Neal explores strategies for how brands can build connections through culture to connect with diverse audiences.
Experiential marketing is an opportunity for brands to strengthen relationships with their audiences — rooted in trust, emotion, and value. In our latest White Paper, Inspira's Art Director Esteban Leyva discusses what Gen Z values and how brands can build relationships with this generation.
Experiential marketing is evolving into a sophisticated tool for building relationships that endure beyond the moment—relationships rooted in trust, emotion, and value. In our latest White Paper, Integrated Strategy Senior Director Regina Fiedel shares strategies for authentically connecting with audiences to build a community.
At Inspira, we view every activation as an opportunity to spark something deeper. With our expertise in crafting connected brand experiences, we go beyond delivering campaigns—we create lasting relationships. By combining sharp strategy, bold creativity, and flawless execution, we help brands reach consumers in ways that matter. In our 2025 Shaping Experiental Trends White Paper, Client Engagement Director Effie Gavrielidis shares how to build B2B relationships through experiential marketing.
Brands today understand that the key to standing out lies in creating experiences that feel personal, purposeful, and impossible to forget. In 2025, experiential marketing is evolving into a sophisticated tool for building relationships that endure beyond the moment—relationships rooted in trust, emotion, and value. In our latest White Paper, Chief Creative Officer Dave Wasserman shares how creativity drives meaningful engagement and loyalty.
Creating experiences is one thing—creating movements that make a lasting impact? That’s where Inspira leads the way. In our first white paper of 2025, we had some real talks with our team of trailblazing experts, including Inspira CEO, Jeff Snyder, discussing experiential as a platform for communicating shared values.
Integrated experiences are taking over, and brands are all in. With 80% of companies ramping up their experiential marketing spend—pouring between $500K and $1 million annually into activations—live events are more than a moment, they’re the foundation of lasting connections. Marketers are getting smart too: 92% are strengthening post-event follow-up to drive ROI, while 77% are focused on building year-round engagement. The numbers don’t lie—success isn’t just about how many show up; it’s about creating meaningful relationships that last.