Dunkin’ staff mistake Affleck for Damon in second spot starring ‘Air’ director

Made with the A-listers’ Artists Equity production shop, the ad follows a viral Super Bowl campaign depicting Affleck manning the drive-thru.

By Peter Adams • April 4, 2023

As generative AI hype hits full steam, consumers carry reservations

A Dentsu survey found just 34% would be willing to pay a premium for AI-powered products and services, while demands for transparency were high.

By Peter Adams • April 3, 2023

Meta rolls out AI-driven brand safety and verification tools

Meta is looking to address advertiser concerns with new tools for Facebook and Instagram that help classify content and context.  

By Aaron Baar • April 3, 2023

Pepsi embraces maximalism for first visual overhaul in 14 years

Muted tones are out while electric colors and a new “pulse” motif are in as the brand prepares for its next chapter of digital marketing.

By Peter Adams • March 28, 2023

Fox’s Tubi boosts AVOD offering with planning, measurement deals

Deals with VideoAmp, LiveRamp and Comscore give advertisers new ways to leverage the most-watched free ad-supported TV service in the U.S.

By Chris Kelly • March 27, 2023

WPP expands influencer marketing buy-in with Goat acquisition

With the deal, WPP looks to deliver cross-channel, data-driven influencer solutions on a global basis.

By Aaron Baar • March 27, 2023

Top trade bodies to revise terms and conditions of internet advertising

Last updated in 2018, the shared framework will be “significantly overhauled” following transformation driven by the pandemic and privacy mandates.

By Peter Adams • March 16, 2023

How Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse could compound a marketing slowdown

Funding prospects for martech and ad-tech startups could dry up, along with media spend that’s already been on a steady downward trajectory.

By Peter Adams • March 14, 2023

Brands scrutinize video ad budgets as upfronts approach

Advertisers are more cautious about committing spend far in advance but are interested in CTV and alternative currencies, new research finds.

By Aaron Baar • March 13, 2023

Audi tests personalized QR codes in streaming ads

The carmaker is the first to test Kerv’s Dynamic Destination ad product, which uses triggers like location and time of day to generate unique landing pages.

By Aaron Baar • March 9, 2023

GroupM, Warner Bros. Discovery boost brand opportunities around diverse content

The partnership is the latest ad industry initiative that seeks to create opportunities for diverse media companies and content creators.

By Chris Kelly • March 8, 2023

As retail media networks multiply, Amazon stands alone

A MediaRadar analysis found the e-commerce giant commanded a larger market share than the mass retailer category last year. 

By Peter Adams • March 6, 2023

Digital growth plateaus amid continued ad spending declines

National ad spending dropped 6% in January, according to Standard Media Index, with tech and entertainment seeing some of the sharpest drops. 

By Aaron Baar • March 6, 2023

Media agencies sign on as JIC sets cross-platform baseline

Buyers and sellers now have equal voice in creating new measurement standards ahead of the 2024 upfronts.

By Chris Kelly • March 6, 2023

Agency in-housing debate resurfaces, with fresh shades of nuance

Top marketers touting savings from the strategy could inspire fast followers, but third-party agencies are also doing a better job at pitching their differentiation.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 27, 2023

WPP CEO considers AI’s potential for agencies

On a call with analysts, CEO Mark Read suggested the technology is unlikely to upend search marketing in the near term.

By Aaron Baar • Feb. 27, 2023

Coke joins AI hype train in search for next-gen creative capabilities

The marketer is the first to take advantage of a new alliance between Bain & Company and ChatGPT developer OpenAI.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 23, 2023

P&G’s Pritchard says AI, algorithms are improving ad effectiveness

With more sophisticated in-house teams and the marketer saving millions, Pritchard said agencies will need to “see around corners” more than ever.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 17, 2023

AOR model declared ‘dead’ as brand needs diversify beyond creative, media

New business wins at agencies increased 11% in 2022 but the value of that business decreased by 35%, according to a new report by R3.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 13, 2023

DDB taps AI to quickly produce creative proposals

A new tool, The Uncreative Agency, has already produced creative proposals for a number of marketers based on one-sentence briefs.

By Aaron Baar • Feb. 13, 2023

What does NBCUniversal’s ‘nerd Coachella’ mean for advertisers?

The overall theme of its annual developer conference was making a mindset change, switching from "or" to "and" on the marketing frontlines.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 13, 2023

38% of marketers shift strategy from customer acquisition to loyalty

While 30% expect higher budgets this year, 54% think resources will remain the same, while the agency outlook is less rosy, per Advertiser Perceptions.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 10, 2023

Omnicom eyes AI as means to eliminate mundane agency work

Reporting strong Q4 results, the group also pointed to deals like Kroger-Albertsons as a sign retail media and commerce will stay in the spotlight. 

By Peter Adams • Feb. 8, 2023

Publicis Groupe’s data and tech bets pay off with strong growth

“Booming” areas like CTV and retail media dovetail with the holding company’s data personalization and media services, according to its CEO. 

By Aaron Baar • Feb. 6, 2023

ChatGPT might change advertising — but it won’t revolutionize it

Even though it’s unlikely to upend the ad world any time soon, the buzzy conversational AI model could prove useful for savvy marketers.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 31, 2023