Using AI for Creative Marketing + Open AI's 12 Days of Shipmas

This week, in the AI-Driven Marketer newsletter, we're buzzing about OpenAI’s recent announcements and what they mean for marketers, creatives, and AI enthusiasts.

OpenAI’s 12 Days of Christmas: What’s in Store?

When OpenAI makes a move, the entire industry pays attention. They’ve kicked off their "12 Days of Christmas" campaign, rolling out new features every day for 12 business days. It’s like an advent calendar, but for AI enthusiasts.

Day 1 Highlights:

• O1 Reasoning Model: This powerful new model is officially out of preview. Compared to its predecessor, it boasts a 70%-80% improvement in reasoning tasks, making it a game-changer for complex problem-solving.

• O1 Pro: An enhanced version of O1, offering an additional 10%-15% performance gain. Available exclusively with ChatGPT Pro, it’ll cost you $200/month.

At $20/month, O1 is a steal for the average user, but Pro’s hefty price tag has stirred some debate. As Travis pointed out, though, $200 for PhD-level reasoning in your pocket? That’s a value proposition worth considering.

How Marketers Can Use O1: O1’s reasoning capabilities make it ideal for tackling multifaceted problems, like:

• Analyzing customer feedback to refine your strategy.

• Optimizing budgets across diverse marketing channels.

• Generating insights from dense datasets.

If you’ve struggled with tasks requiring multiple variables and deep analysis, O1 might just be your new best friend.

What’s Next? Predictions for OpenAI’s Drops

Speculation is running wild about what OpenAI will release next. Here are some of our predictions:

1. Improved Image Creation: DALL-E’s capabilities are due for an upgrade, which could help it compete more directly with MidJourney.

2. Video AI: Rumors abound that OpenAI’s video model, "Sora," might be released—likely as part of ChatGPT Pro due to its high processing costs.

3. Agents: Imagine assigning AI agents to handle routine tasks or complex workflows autonomously. This could be the productivity breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for.

4. ChatGPT 5 (Orion): Sam Altman has hinted at this for winter. Could it be OpenAI’s big finale for their 12 Days of Christmas?

Whatever’s next, OpenAI’s moves are setting the stage for the industry.

AI Music and Marketing: A New Frontier

One of the biggest surprises this year has been the rapid rise of AI-generated music. Tools like Suno and Udiow have transformed what’s possible, making it easier than ever to produce professional-quality tracks. I recently tested Suno’s capabilities by creating an entire Christian album based on the Psalms. The process was fast, the output impressive, and it sparked an idea for marketers.

Marketing Through Music: Imagine creating custom music for your brand. Here are some ideas:

• Jingles and Themes: Use AI to produce catchy tunes for podcasts, YouTube intros, or TikToks.

• Emotional Branding: Craft songs that resonate with your audience’s struggles and aspirations. For instance, a song about the highs and lows of hitting marketing KPIs could strike a chord with fellow marketers.

• Infotainment: Make learning fun by turning complex topics into engaging musical content.

With tools like Suno, you don’t need to be a musician to create impactful tracks. The opportunities for creative marketers are endless.

The Generalist vs. Specialist Debate in the Age of AI

AI’s ability to democratize specialized tasks is shaking up traditional roles. As Liam Otley recently argued, generalists leveraging AI can now rival specialists in many areas. While this rings true in some cases (e.g., using MidJourney to create professional-grade designs), specialists aren’t going away.

Here’s why:

• Depth of Knowledge: Specialists bring expertise that generalists can’t replicate, even with AI.

• Enhanced Efficiency: When specialists adopt AI, they can operate at an even higher level, making them indispensable.

• Complexity of Tools: AI simplifies workflows but often introduces new complexities that require specialist know-how.

The takeaway? Whether you’re a generalist or specialist, embracing AI is crucial. The real winners will be those who learn how to integrate these tools effectively.

AI Skills: Where Do You Rank?

I recently polled my LinkedIn audience, asking them to rate their AI skills:

Most respondents leaned toward intermediate or advanced, likely reflecting the early adopters in my network. If you’re unsure where you stand, here’s a tip: Focus less on labels and more on experimentation. Roll up your sleeves, test new tools, and iterate. That’s how you build real expertise.

Want to level up? Take the AI-Driven Marketer Fundamentals course and you’ll be playing at an advanced level within the week.

Wrapping Up: Be the Playmaker

AI is advancing at a breakneck pace, but the opportunities are ripe for those willing to experiment. Whether you’re exploring new tools, creating content in novel formats, or refining your skills, now is the time to dive in. The marketers who test, iterate, and adapt will be the ones writing the playbooks others follow.

Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter as we unpack more OpenAI drops and explore the ever-expanding AI landscape.