The 2026 Channel Marketing Report is here

Every year we speak to channel businesses who the same thing. It’s getting harder to stand out. That won’t get easier in 2026.

That’s exactly why we’ve launched our 2026 Channel Marketing Report, a practical guide to what is actually changing across the UK telecoms and IT channel, and what resellers, MSPs and Distributors should prioritise next.

This document isn’t about hopping on trends. We’ve condensed the work we do every day with channel businesses, supporting their marketing amid longer sales cycles and a more consolidated market.

What’s inside the report?

We’ve structured the report around the issues that are genuinely affecting channel businesses right now. These include:

AI disruption to search and discovery

We explore how AI search, zero-click, and conversational searches are reshaping the top of the sales funnel and how to navigate these changes to SEO.

We cover why these changes are happening, how to keep your brand top of mind, and ways you can use AI search algorithms to your advantage.

Telecoms and IT convergence

The line between comms and IT continues to blur. More resellers are moving into MSP territory, and customers increasingly expect providers to support cloud, security, compliance and business continuity as one joined-up service.

That shift has marketing implications. You need to nail your messaging and positioning if you are going to cross-sell effectively.

Vendor and distributor enablement

Vendors are investing more heavily in partner marketing resources, but not all toolkits are created equal.

The report outlines what effective enablement looks like in 2026, and how resellers can adapt vendor materials to reflect their own positioning and sector focus.

Design, brand and trust

When AI floods the market with average content, brand and design become shortcuts for credibility.

Clear visual identity, consistent UX and confident presentation are no longer cosmetic. They influence whether buyers feel safe enough to continue the conversation.

What this means for Channel businesses

The common thread through the report is simple.

When discovery is fragmented and buyers are cautious, marketing becomes the evidence layer. It proves competence, maturity and stability long before a proposal is requested.

Providers who invest in clarity, proof and positioning will outperform those relying purely on volume.

Download the Report

If you’re reviewing your marketing strategy for the year ahead, it’s a useful starting point whether you handle marketing internally or work with external support.

https://getcrisp.co.uk/marketing-report/

To coincide with the launch, we’re also offering free 30-minute marketing and SEO consultations for telecoms and IT businesses that want to pressure-test their plans for 2026.

No obligation. Just a conversation about your priorities and how to achieve them.