Competing in the Attention Economy

Destination marketing used to be simple. Cities competed with other cities, and the playbook was straightforward: buy media, showcase attractions, drive visits. But in today’s attention economy, the battleground has shifted.

Los Angeles doesn’t just compete with New York, Vegas, or Paris—it competes with Coachella, Marvel, Beyoncé, and whatever TikTok trend is exploding this morning. Travelers plan trips around concerts, filming locations, or creator geographies as often as they do landmarks. In a world of infinite distraction, attention itself has become the most valuable—and most fleeting—resource. The challenge is no longer visibility, it’s meaning.

Signals Shaping the Future

This shift demands a new approach: one that treats tourism not as a media plan, but as a cultural signal system. From authenticity outperforming polish, to destinations evolving into civic brands, to AI tuning marketers into cultural resonance in real time, the forces reshaping tourism are profound.

Our Chief Strategy Officer, Adam Cunningham, recently shared these insights in a keynote at the 2025 Market Outlook Forum presented by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, highlighting the five signals redefining how destinations can compete and win in the age of infinite distraction.

For LA, these signals are already at work: creator-led campaigns that showcase the voices of Angelenos, civic storytelling like We Love LA, and strategies that measure not just reach but resonance.

Turning Signals Into Strategy

At AGM, we don’t just track these shifts—we build systems around them. Our proprietary AI platforms listen in real time, measure cultural signal strength, and scale what truly resonates. Combined with our expertise in creator-led storytelling and trend-responsive media, we help destinations like LA not just keep up with culture, but lead it.

In a market where attention is fleeting and meaning is everything, the destinations that win aren’t the ones shouting the loudest—they’re the ones people feel something about. Winning requires strategy, technology, and a partner who can turn cultural signals into measurable growth.

Discover exactly how AGM’s expertise and tools help LA brands thrive in the new attention economy.

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