Heineken devises bottle opener that shuts down work apps

A bid at addressing the pandemic's work-life imbalance, the functional gizmo complements a new brand platform tackling tired cliches.

By Peter Adams • June 1, 2022

Unilever, Mondelēz, PepsiCo sign up for Instacart's new shoppable ad units

Commerce-enabled video and display offerings speak to how retail media formats are getting more sophisticated as platforms chase larger budgets.

By Peter Adams • May 27, 2022

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Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including Gen Z, pop culture and generative AI.

By Marketing Dive staff

TikTok takes page from Twitch as battle for creators intensifies

A Live Subscription feature promises predictable monthly income, which could appeal to a creator base that’s felt the double-edged sword of overnight virality.

By Peter Adams • May 26, 2022

Google reimagines search beyond '10 blue links'

At its Marketing Live event, the tech giant expressed a desire to steer digital advertising toward more interactive features, including AR shopping ads in search results.

By Peter Adams • May 25, 2022

Candle Media extends content deal-making run with Attn: acquisition

The reportedly $150 million deal will invest in Attn:’s marketing services, including a dedicated TikTok studio launched last year.

By Peter Adams • May 23, 2022

Warner Bros. Discovery holds back on streaming tie-up details at first upfront

The star-studded event highlighted the newly merged company's content but didn't offer details about its proposed combined streaming platform.

By Chris Kelly • May 19, 2022

Domino's grants 'Stranger Things' fans 'mind-ordering' powers through new app

An immersive mobile experience tied to the Netflix show’s return uses facial recognition and eye-tracking technology to help users order pizza.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 17, 2022

Google adds customizable ads on search and YouTube

New tools help users manage interactions with advertisers, including blocking or reporting content and viewing an ad’s funding sources and targeting metrics.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 12, 2022

Peloton ad spending plunged as new users wane, analysis finds

While media investments dipped in a rocky first quarter, they may be on the upswing again as the brand kicks off an ad campaign focused on instructors.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 12, 2022

Pepsi, Pizza Hut put soccer fans in Paul Pogba's shoes with AR game

Activations with Yum Brands restaurants attempt to capture the excitement ahead of the UEFA Champions League final with help from the star midfielder.

By Peter Adams • May 11, 2022

Doritos hosts virtual concert from the Upside Down for 'Stranger Things'

Fans can secure tickets to the event featuring ‘80s acts like the The Go-Go’s, Soft Cell and Corey Hart through specially marked packaging and a website.

By Peter Adams • May 10, 2022

How streaming TV platforms upped their games at the NewFronts

Roku, Tubi and FuboTV pitched advertisers around measurement and targeting at a time when both the streaming and digital ad landscapes are in flux.

By Chris Kelly • May 9, 2022

Peloton races to revitalize brand with help from star instructors

A refresh campaign places the fitness company’s talent in cinematic scenarios, while Wall Street remains unimpressed by larger turnaround efforts.

By Peter Adams • May 9, 2022

TikTok's new premium ad unit aligns brands with top 4% of videos

TikTok Pulse is bought at a fixed CPM and on a reservation basis, speaking to the app’s efforts to cater to deeper-pocketed advertisers at the NewFronts.

By Peter Adams • May 5, 2022

Snapchat partners with Cameo to streamline brand-creator ad deals

Mattress Firm, Molson Coors and Kraft have been beta testing the program, letting them draw on over 45,000 personalities for custom video ads.

By Peter Adams • May 4, 2022

Amazon looks to lure brands with new streaming tech integrations

At its second NewFronts presentation, the company showed off a tool that lets advertisers insert their products into programming even after filming ends.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 4, 2022

How Coke and Pepsi's rivalry shaped marketing — and where it goes next

As the most enduring consumer brand rivalry enters a new phase in the metaverse, tall orders around sustainability may demand cooperation over competition.

By Peter Adams • May 3, 2022

H&M hands mic to Pete Davidson in ads courting male shoppers

The comedian known for his "scumbro" style stars in an effort that isn't tied to a specific collection, but aims to grow H&M's overall market share with men.

By Peter Adams • May 2, 2022

Sweetgreen's ambassador team adds NBA's Devin Booker with TikTok-inspired spot

A celebrity-backed "Create Your Own" campaign looks to boost the chain's digital orders, which made up 65% of sales last quarter.

By Chris Kelly • May 2, 2022

Amazon misses ad sales forecast, capping off rough run of tech earnings

Inflation and the Ukraine crisis were cited as factors, but the company is also contending with increased competition from traditional retailers on the ad front.

By Peter Adams • April 29, 2022

Facebook sees users grow again while metaverse bets gain traction

Wendy's recent activation in Horizon Worlds drew 52 million visitors, a promising development as Meta's broader ad business continues to slow.

By Peter Adams • April 28, 2022

YouTube drags down Google performance as challenges pile up

The video platform severely missed revenue expectations in the first quarter amid the war in Ukraine and ongoing Apple headwinds.

By Peter Adams • April 27, 2022

Snap's ad business challenged as global chaos adds to Apple headwinds

While the Ukraine war and inflation are impacting revenue, the Snapchat owner has secured upfront commitments more than 60% higher than last year.

By Peter Adams • April 22, 2022

Netflix is finally open to ads. What's next?

Ads could reportedly be coming to Netflix before the end of the year — sooner than the timeline that co-CEO Reed Hastings previously suggested.

By Chris Kelly • Updated May 10, 2022

Tide's 'Doctor Strange' ads connect MCU to past marketing

The P&G label links the storied superhero franchise to its own universe with teasers drawing on the "It's a Tide Ad" Super Bowl campaign.

By Peter Adams • April 20, 2022