The 7 best Super Bowl social plays

TikTok made a splash around the game, but other platforms remained key tools for marketers looking to ensure their campaigns live on after the final whistle.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 7, 2020

Acura unveils 'Beat That' racing game on web, Facebook Instant Games

Social sharing features prominently in the effort, including GIFs that players can use to create a customized game in Giphy Arcade.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 6, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including the creator economy, '90s nostalgia and Gen Z. 

By Marketing Dive staff

Sony flaunts phone camera in 'most epic TikTok ever made' for 'Bad Boys' film

Its lack of a hard sell is characteristic of TikTok videos that aim for viral growth, and Sony doesn't mention its new Xperia 1 phone in the spot.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 6, 2020

Facebook will shutter Audience Network for mobile sites

The decision may be in response to recent changes by companies like Google and Apple to limit audience tracking with third-party cookies amid growing concerns about privacy and brand safety.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 6, 2020

Burger King celebrates Harley Quinn's breakup in anti-Valentine's Day promotion

By building a promotion around the narrative of scorned lovers, the brand could connect with consumers at a time when fewer are embracing the holiday.

By Dianna Christie • Feb. 6, 2020

Corporate social responsibility emerges as content king in 2020 Super Bowl ads

Considering relevance, brand persona and impact are key to marketing around CSR, says Lindsay Singleton, a Civic Responsibility Project board member.

By Lindsay Singleton • Feb. 6, 2020

Snap's revenue surges 44% to record $561M

Significant quarterly growth reflects Snap's efforts to appeal to advertisers with new ad formats, though the company warned of possible losses in early 2020.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 5, 2020

Report: Instagram's $20B ad revenue outpaced YouTube in 2019

The sales figure is about 33% higher than the $15.1 billion in YouTube ad sales that Alphabet divulged for the first time this week.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 5, 2020

'Kraft Mac is for lovers' in Valentine's Day campaign

A cross-channel effort includes a contest in which consumers can win free products, along with candles and rose petals for a romantic date night.

By Dianna Christie • Feb. 5, 2020

Why so many Super Bowl commercials aimed for the heart

The visceral nature of several big game ads comes as consumers demand authenticity and relatability, says UserTesting CMO Michelle Huff.

By Michelle Huff • Feb. 5, 2020

Vine successor Byte is most popular app in its first week

The app's launch opens a new social ad platform for marketers, though many brands may wait and see whether it will reach a scale that makes it worthwhile.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 4, 2020

Chipotle's Justin Bieber challenge reaches 95M on TikTok during Super Bowl

The "TikTok Timeout" challenge urged people to create their own "February Free Delivery Sundays" ads set to Bieber's new song "Yummy."

By Robert Williams • Feb. 4, 2020

TurboTax tops ranking of Super Bowl advertisers' digital efforts

Intuit-owned TurboTax hosted a #W2Step challenge on TikTok that generated more than 100 million views.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 4, 2020

Google parent reveals YouTube ad revenue of $15B

The popular video-sharing site's revenue rose 36% in 2019 from a year earlier, outpacing search ad growth for Google.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 4, 2020

Axe teams with Netflix's 'Sex Education' to offer dating tips

The social media effort is driven by brand research showing 47% of boys aged 14-24 have refrained from asking someone out due to lack of confidence.

By Dianna Christie • Feb. 4, 2020

Despite Super Bowl LIV's marketing deja vu, several ads break out

Multibrand spots, ads supporting women, "Groundhog Day" and yes, the resurrection of Mr. Peanut, caused some of the biggest stir this year.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 3, 2020

By the numbers: Super Bowl LIV

The big game's ads, broken down by sentiment, social engagement and more.

By Nami Sumida • Feb. 3, 2020

Budweiser flips bottle labels for selfies, social sharing

The AB InBev brand unveiled the SelfieBud label while opening its BudX Hotel, a three-day experiential takeover of a hotel in Super Bowl host city Miami.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 3, 2020

Starbucks ad inspired by transgender people testing out new names

The coffee chain discovered transgender YouTubers sharing stories of trialing their new names on its cups.

By Dianna Christie • Feb. 3, 2020

Pantone shares 'color commentary' on social during Super Bowl

The color standards company posted comments to Twitter and Instagram about the hues shown throughout the big game.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 3, 2020

Chobani leans on master brand in new campaign for oat milk

With "Almost Milk," the dairy heavyweight looks to leverage brand equity it's earned over the past decade as it expands into plant-based products.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Feb. 3, 2020

Honda spotlights 'Superb Owl' on Twitter during big game

Playing off the common misspelling of "Super Bowl" in online searches, the carmaker highlighted its Honda Pilot SUV with a variety of owl-related videos, GIFs and memes.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 3, 2020

'Wimpy Kid' comes to social AR, Baidu's emoji keyboard

Fans can decorate their messages with digital stickers based on character illustrations in "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2020

Snapchat touts how it helps brands like Subway engage Gen Z sports fans

In promoting its reach among sports fans, Snap said almost 75% of users who plan to watch March Madness also use the app while viewing live games.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 31, 2020

Unilever increases spend on purpose-driven marketing

The company is making purpose one of its pillars of growth and says internal data shows that the approach drives short- and long-term results.

By Dianna Christie • Jan. 31, 2020