The First Image Model That Actually Works For Marketers

If you can get past the name—and I admit, it requires some effort—Google’s launch of Nano Banana Pro yesterday represents the most significant leap in image generation fidelity we have seen to date. Google quietly integrated its massive Gemini 3 reasoning capabilities directly into the pixel generation process, and it shows.

For marketers, the “almost right” problem has been the defining frustration of the AI era. Often, you generate something (or find a stock photo, God forbid) that's almost right. The model is holding a coffee cup, but you need them holding your product. The setting is perfect except for one detail. The vibe is there, but the execution isn't. Until now, that meant Photoshop work. Or more likely, it meant settling for “almost right” because nobody had time or budget for proper retouching. (Not to mention a photo shoot. In this economy?)

Nano Banana Pro solves this by allowing you to combine up to 14 reference images and maintain the likeness of up to 5 distinct characters or products within a single scene. This means you can take your actual product, drop it into a generated environment, and have it look right at the first try. It handles the tasks that used to require hours of Photoshop work like eating the product, holding the product, wearing the product—basically taking existing images and making surgical edits without breaking everything else.

But the real leap here isn't just the visuals; it's the research.

Because the model is tethered to Gemini 3's reasoning engine and Google Search, it doesn't just draw what you tell it to; it figures out what to draw.

I tested this today by asking for a cartoon map of the UK displaying the most popular park runs. I didn't provide the data. The model researched the locations (from here), verified the popularity, and generated this infographic in seconds:

Previous models would have given you a map of a fictional country with gibberish labels. Nano Banana Pro gives you accurate data rendered in excellent, legible fonts.

Expect your LinkedIn feed to be flooded with these infographics by Monday (for better or worse).

The model is available now if you're using Gemini, though Google's servers are clearly struggling with demand—I couldn't get it working there. It runs smoothly in Freepik, which remains an underrated platform for this kind of work. Free users get limited generations before reverting to the standard Nano Banana model; paid subscribers (Google AI Pro, Plus, or Ultra) get higher limits.

We've been talking for months about how image and video models are changing creative workflows. Nano Banana Pro doesn't fundamentally change what is possible, but the leap in quality and reliability is significant enough that it will dramatically cut iteration time.

Gemini 3 is the best overall LLM today. Nano Banana Pro is the best overall image model. Welcome back to the game, Google.

— Torsten & Peter

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Learn more.

We wouldn’t be marketers if there weren’t a Black Friday deal for you.

From today until EOD November 28 (Black Friday), we have a once-in-a-year offer.

The 50% off deal is available only to current subscribers and is live from today.

Go to this checkout page. The discount is already applied to the pricing.

Scroll down to the bottom of our emails (any).

If you are a free subscriber, you’ll see a paywall.

If you are a paid subscriber, you’ll see your access links.

Our newsletter partner today:

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it. That’s what The Marketing Millennials delivers: real insights, fresh takes, and no fluff. Written by Daniel Murray, a marketer who knows what works, this newsletter cuts through the noise so you can stop guessing and start winning. Subscribe and level up your marketing game.

Sign Up Free