Brief
Warc survey finds AI fuels cautious optimism among agency strategists
The 2026 Warc study reports rising strategy influence and mixed feelings about AI among agency-side strategists.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Warc’s 2026 "Future of Strategy" report, based on a global survey of 489 agency-side strategists conducted in August, shows a shift toward cautious optimism as AI adoption reshapes the discipline.
What happened
The survey revealed that 66% of respondents now see clear reasons for optimism, up from a gloomier outlook a year earlier. Strategy influence with clients rose to 50%, compared with 41% in 2025, while internal influence within agencies remained flat at 46%.
What the reports add
Warc highlights that strategists are moving "upstream"—addressing core business questions for CMOs rather than merely responding to briefs. Despite the optimism, 56% of strategists list AI as the top threat to their roles, a 15‑point increase from 2025.
What was said
Lena Roland, content director of Warc strategy, told bizcommunity.com, "Twelve months on, the mood has shifted with 66% of agency‑side strategists agreeing there are clear reasons to be optimistic." Stacy Taffet, chief growth & marketing officer at The Hershey Company, added, "The ROI on strategy is very high because when you do the upfront work to clarify brand foundations and business problems, ongoing content creation becomes effortless and more cost effective."
How it came about
The findings follow years of agency consolidation, headcount reductions and senior talent flight, pressures that Warc says have intensified with AI’s rise. The report offers practical ways for strategists to prove value, emphasizing business‑problem solving and speaking the board’s language.
Key facts
- 66% of agency‑side strategists report clear reasons for optimism (bizcommunity.com)
- Strategy influence with clients increased to 50% from 41% in 2025 (bizcommunity.com)
- 56% of strategists fear AI will replace their roles, up 15 points from 2025 (bizcommunity.com)
- The survey included 489 strategists worldwide, mostly agency‑side (bizcommunity.com)
Sources
- [1] bizcommunity.com — originally reported as “AI adoption moves strategy into the spotlight for human insight”
