Is Machine Learning the Secret to 2017 Success?

As part of my research on the year ahead, I embarked on a series, 20.17 Big Ideas for 2017, to ask a number of my favorite award-winning marketing experts, authors, and other thought leaders-- as well as some of Firebrand Group's own digital strategy and branding experts--to recommend one "Big Idea" that companies can take advantage of to get ahead in 2017. One of the individuals I was fortunate enough to interview for this series was Abby Whitmer, Director of Global Digital Marketing for Mary Kay. Whitmer, a longtime beauty insider, was added to the beauty giant to enhance its digital innovation, so it's no surprise that her big idea for 2017 involves Machine Learning. How are you using machine learning in your day to day? I'm trying to focus on how machine learning can be used now - as opposed to a very pie-in-the-sky, long-term way.