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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAI in MarketingSynthetic Media

AI in Marketing

Synthetic Media

Any image, video, audio, or text generated or substantially altered by AI, from harmless product shots to deceptive deepfakes.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

Synthetic media is any image, video, audio, or text generated or substantially altered by AI. It ranges from harmless uses, such as product shots and voiceovers, to deceptive deepfakes impersonating real people. Brands using synthetic media increasingly face disclosure expectations and must manage the risk of misleading audiences or infringing rights.