Sonata Insights helps advertisers understand consumer AI behavior and the impact on marketing and paid media strategies.

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Meet Debra Aho Williamson.

Analyst. Speaker. Market mover.

Debra Aho Williamson is a dynamic AI analyst and AI marketing influencer, recognized for her visionary contributions to the digital marketing landscape.

Debra’s superpower is identifying significant shifts in consumer behavior that lead to tectonic changes in marketing strategy. At Sonata Insights, she provides research, expert guidance and professional speaking appearances focusing on AI marketing, AI advertising, AI search and AI consumer behavior, all featuring her signature blend of innovative expertise, strategic foresight and trustworthy analysis.

Debra also publishes The AI Ad Economy, a Substack that helps marketing and media leaders understand how consumer AI behavior is evolving and reshaping the advertising ecosystem.

Before founding Sonata Insights, Debra was a principal analyst at EMARKETER, where she was among the first analysts in the world to identify the power and importance of social media marketing. She developed one of the earliest forecasts for social media ad revenues in 2007, and her landmark body of work—amounting to more than 120 reports—has helped cement social media as a critical marketing channel around the world.

Debra is frequently quoted in the media and her opinions and research have been featured in thousands of news articles, She has made nearly 50 TV appearances, including on NBC, BBC, Bloomberg Television and CNBC.

  • AI Research

    Debra partners with businesses for qualitative and quantitative research about AI marketing topics, containing provocative viewpoints grounded in the real world of digital marketing.

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    Expert Consulting

    Book Debra for expert consultations on AI marketing, AI advertising, AI search and AI consumer behavior.

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    Speaking and Media Interviews

    Debra is a provocative speaker focusing on AI marketing, AI advertising and AI consumer behavior. Journalists regularly interview Debra on AI business topics.

PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

A sonata is a musical composition for a solo instrument, often with piano accompaniment.

Debra may be the only tech analyst who has a degree in oboe performance. In a sonata, the two instruments must interweave melodies and share the same emotion, musicality and expression.

Debra approaches her client projects in the same way:

  • Deep collaboration

  • Active listening

  • Close partnership

Listen to Debra’s favorite oboe sonata, performed by her oboe professor Ray Still.

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Let’s work together.

Tell me about your need or your project and I’ll get back to you ASAP.