In this rapid-fire update episode of The Negotiation, our host, Todd Embley, sits down with Jacob Cooke, CEO and Co-Founder of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, for a fast-paced conversation covering the biggest developments in China's e-commerce and AI landscape.

Jake unpacks Alibaba's recent earnings—why he's encouraged despite weak earnings—and breaks down the significance of their new AI business unit, Token Hub, and the Wukong platform. The conversation explores the OpenClaw phenomenon sweeping China and what it means for enterprise AI adoption.

The episode also dives into WPIC's latest annual data report, revealing strong growth across China's e-commerce market and the dramatic platform shift toward Douyin. Jake shares fascinating insights on the pet category—including the explosive growth of live dog and cat sales on social commerce platforms—and highlights other standout trends in nutraceuticals, fashion, and sports.

Jake also provides his read on Canada-China relations following Prime Minister Mark Carney's historic visit, discusses the excitement around Canadian journalists being back on the ground in Beijing, and shares what the diplomatic reset means for Canadian brands like Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose.

This is a must-listen for anyone tracking China's consumer market, AI developments, or Canada-China business opportunities. Enjoy!

Discussion Points

· Alibaba's latest earnings: why Jake is encouraged despite net income down 66%

· Token Hub and Wukong: How Alibaba is restructuring to monetize AI through tokens instead of subscriptions

· The OpenClaw phenomenon: Why it's exploding in China and how cheap, capable models fuel adoption

· WPIC's annual data report: Top-level takeaways on China's e-commerce market (2023-2025)

· Pet market deep-dive: 20.4% growth and the rise of live pet sales on Douyin

· Nutraceuticals surge: 27.3% growth and Douyin overtaking Tmall for the first time

· Canada-China relations: What PM Carney's visit means for business and why CBC journalists being back matters

· Canadian brand performance: How Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and Canada Goose are doing on the ground

· Increased business confidence: Western leaders' visits to China and rising brand interest

· Key message for international brands entering or expanding in China in 2026

In this episode of The Negotiation, host Todd Embley welcomes Colin Jeavons, Founder and CEO of Nomix Group—a forward-thinking holding company reshaping digital commerce through AI, performance marketing, and creator-driven commerce.

Colin is a veteran of the digital space with over 25 years of experience, from the early days of commercial search in the late 1990s to today's AI-powered shopping revolution. Under his leadership, Nomix Group has driven over $2.5 billion in verified product sales and built an ecosystem spanning five specialized divisions—Shopnomix, Appnomix, Fanomix, Pronomix, and Creatornomix—each tackling different aspects of how consumers discover, evaluate, and buy products online.

Colin recently made waves by predicting that AI will drive a 30 percent surge in digital commerce spending across Western markets by 2027—a bold forecast reflecting fundamental shifts in consumer behavior. This conversation explores what's driving that transformation, how AI answer engines and agentic shopping are changing the game, and what Western brands should learn from China's leadership in social commerce, live-streaming, and creator-led shopping on platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Taobao Live.

From the "post-advertising" era to the rise of creator economies, Colin offers a comprehensive view of where digital commerce is headed and how brands can prepare for a future where content, community, and AI converge to create "Commerce, Everywhere."

Discussion Points

· Colin's background in digital commerce from the 1990s to today's AI revolution

· What Nomix Group is and how its five divisions work together

· The "post-advertising" phase of digital commerce and what's driving it

· Colin's prediction: AI will drive 30% growth in digital shopping by 2027

· What AI-powered commerce actually looks like—answer engines, agentic shopping, conversational AI

· The explosion of creator-driven commerce and influencer marketing

· Lessons Western brands should learn from China's social commerce playbook (Douyin, Xiaohongshu, Taobao Live)

· Building "agentic marketplaces" where AI connects content directly to commerce

· The infrastructure behind "Commerce, Everywhere."

· How performance marketing is evolving in an AI-first, creator-driven world

· Democratizing AI commerce tools for small businesses and ensuring fair creator economics

· What's next for Nomix Group and digital commerce

· Key advice for brands preparing for the AI commerce shift

In this special episode of The Negotiation, WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke steps in as host to interview Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director & COO at the Canada China Business Council—one of the leading organizations supporting Canadian businesses in China and strengthening bilateral commercial ties.

This episode offers a unique perspective: Jacob was in Beijing during Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent visit to China—the first by a Canadian leader in years—giving him firsthand insight into the trip's significance. Together, Jacob and Bijan unpack what the visit means for Canadian business and Canada-China relations, with Bijan's deep expertise in trade policy, market access, and bilateral economic engagement complementing Jacob's on-the-ground observations.

This conversation comes at a critical moment: as the U.S. administration raises questions about Canada's engagement with China, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on the facts—what was actually agreed, what it means for jobs and GDP, and why China remains a vital market for Canadian exporters and businesses.

Discussion Points

· The historical context and significance of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China

· Whether the visit achieved a meaningful reset in Canada-China relations

· Specific outcomes and agreements from the trip—sector-by-sector wins for the Canadian economy

· CCBC's role during the visit and how members have reacted

· How Canadian businesses are reassessing their perceptions of China post-visit

· Next challenges CCBC will work to solve for Canadian business

· Clarifying misconceptions around a potential "deal" with China and U.S. political concerns

· The strategic importance of China to Canada's economy—jobs, GDP, and export opportunities