Core Insights - The article discusses the shift in growth strategies for companies expanding overseas, emphasizing the transition from traditional advertising to leveraging third-party creators and communities for trust-based marketing [2][3][5]. Group 1: Changing Consumer Behavior - Consumers are increasingly relying on third-party evaluations and community feedback rather than direct advertisements when making purchasing decisions [3][7]. - The traditional linear consumer journey has become fragmented, with users seeking information from various sources such as videos, blogs, and AI tools before making a purchase [7][8]. Group 2: Evolution of Partnership Marketing - The concept of "affiliate marketing" is evolving into "partnership marketing," which encompasses a broader range of collaborators, including creators and loyal users, rather than just relying on discounts and rebates [6][8][10]. - Companies are reallocating marketing budgets towards partnership channels, with 38% of brands allocating 21%-30% of their marketing budget to these areas, and 6% investing over 50% [10][16]. Group 3: Strategic Shifts in Marketing - The focus is shifting from mere traffic acquisition to building a network of trust and influence, with 74% of brands increasing their investment in partnership marketing due to diminishing returns from traditional channels [10][16]. - Companies are recognizing the need to manage third-party relationships systematically, moving away from ad-hoc methods to a more structured approach using platforms like impact.com [18][22]. Group 4: Operational Efficiency and AI Integration - The integration of AI into partnership management is becoming essential, with 97% of brands adopting AI to streamline workflows and improve decision-making [30][34]. - Companies are transitioning from manual processes to automated systems for managing partnerships, which significantly reduces operational costs and enhances efficiency [25][26][30]. Group 5: Future Competitive Landscape - The future of global competition will hinge on the ability to manage complex partnership networks effectively, with companies needing to adapt to a more interconnected and automated marketing ecosystem [29][36]. - Brands that fail to upgrade their partnership marketing strategies risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving marketplace, where traditional methods are no longer sufficient [20][34].