Brand Strategy


  • Joel McHale in an ad for Seattle's Best Coffee
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    Permission granted by Seattle's Best Coffee
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Seattle’s Best Coffee makes days smoother with humor

    The Nestlé brand and agency Haymaker tapped Joel McHale and director Neal Brennan for its first national push in more than six years.

    By May 2, 2025
  • Joe Jonas for Heineken
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    Courtesy of Heineken
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    Heineken promotes a world without social media with creators, Joe Jonas

    “Social off Socials” is meant to inspire consumers to unplug and also includes tie-ups with creators like Dude with Sign, Lil Cherry and Paul Olima.

    By Aaron Baar • May 1, 2025
  • A person pulls items out of one paper shopping bag with handles that is on a table next to four similar bags. Explore the Trendline
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    FreshSplash via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Retail Marketing

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

    By Marketing Dive staff
  • Alix Earle poses for Pantene
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    Courtesy of Pantene
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    Pantene turns Alix Earle’s viral TikTok post into collection, campaign

    The P&G brand tied up with a popular creator who raved about the effectiveness of an expired bottle of Pantene found in her family’s shower. 

    By May 1, 2025
  • A person wearing a cross-body water bottle.
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    Courtesy of Stanley 1913
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    ‘We’re not just a hot cup company’: What’s next for Stanley

    Can the water bottle brand live past its virality? Global President Matt Navarro says it already has.

    By Cara Salpini • May 1, 2025
  • Keebler Elf Hollow Tree
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    Permission granted by Keebler
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    How Keebler’s ‘elf-vertising’ experiences bridge the physical-digital gap

    The Ferrero-owned brand is bringing its iconic Hollow Tree to life in ads and experiences to promote the new E.L. Fudge Choco Vanilla Cookie.

    By May 1, 2025
  • NASCAR driver Toni Breidinger in an 818 Tequila campaign
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    Permission granted by 818 Tequila
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    Why 818 Tequila tapped a NASCAR driver to accelerate cultural marketing

    CMO Kathleen Braine explains how partnering with trailblazing driver Toni Breidinger helps boost the reach of the Kendall Jenner-founded brand.

    By April 30, 2025
  • In-game graphics on a Chipotle Roblox activation
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle brings trading card mania to Roblox with new experience

    Ingredient Quest capitalizes on renewed interest in brands like Pokémon and card-pull social media videos of fans uncovering rare finds.

    By April 29, 2025
  • Sephora "Skin Obsessed" campaign imagery
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    Retrieved from YouTube on April 28, 2025
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    Sephora stakes its claim in skin care with multichannel campaign

    Made with TBWA\Chiat\Day LA, “Skin Obsessed” riffs on the realities of complex self-care routines and spans CTV, online video and more.

    By April 29, 2025
  • 7-Eleven festival partnership mixtape art
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    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
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    7-Eleven teams with Live Nation for nostalgic music festival activations

    Immersive, social-first activations are intended to be reminiscent of in-store experiences as the chain works to connect with consumers around culture.

    By April 28, 2025
  • NFL action in an Adobe video
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    Retrieved from Adobe on April 24, 2025
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    NFL, Adobe team up for AI-powered league and fan-generated content

    Adobe’s applications will support the league in bringing more personalized content to owned channels, including the NFL OnePass app. 

    By April 24, 2025
  • Lamine Yamal drinks Powerade
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    Courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company
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    Powerade celebrates next generation of soccer stars in global campaign

    The Coca-Cola-owned brand iterates on its “Pause is Power” platform to prepare for major soccer events over the next four years.

    By April 24, 2025
  • JJ Watt on a Peloton bike
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    Courtesy of Peloton
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    Peloton CMO departs as fitness brand shakes up marketing group

    Lauren Weinberg oversaw initiatives including a campaign that tried to appeal to millennial men through a partnership with the NFL’s Watt brothers. 

    By Updated April 24, 2025
  • Keegan-Michael Key for a Jim Beam campaign
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    Courtesy of Jim Beam
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    Jim Beam ages its marketing strategy for the budget-minded consumer

    The Suntory brand is attempting to expand its consumer base and versatility by promoting Jim Beam Black and building off of its 2024 marketing strategy.

    By April 24, 2025
  • Pete Davidson for an Axe ad
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    Courtesy of Axe
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    Axe leans on Pete Davidson’s wisdom to help men level up their rizz

    The actor-comedian will host an Ask Me Anything-like discussion on Instagram and stars in a new ad giving a shorter individual a confidence boost.

    By April 23, 2025
  • A man is holding a remote control of a smart TV in his hand. In the background you can see the television screen with streaming entertainment apps for video on demand
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    Giuliano Benzin via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Do the upfronts still matter?

    The annual ad-buying bonanza can’t survive on nostalgia and sports alone and needs to modernize, says Juice Media CEO Mark Zamuner.

    By Mark Zamuner • April 23, 2025
  • Omar Epps as the Sauce Boss in a Zaxbys campaign
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Q&A

    Zaxbys’ CMO on breaking through the chicken category with ‘sauce’

    The chain’s first work from Goodby Silverstein & Partners introduces a brand character that speaks to both signature sauces and cool charisma.

    By April 23, 2025
  • Hotels.com mascot Bellboy, a cartoonish hotel desk bell, stands against a red background
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    Permission granted by Hotels.com
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    Hotels.com returns to mascot-focused marketing with Bellboy character

    The anthropomorphic hotel desk bell promotes savings in a new campaign spanning Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and the brand’s website and app.

    By April 22, 2025
  • A woman writes on a package of Welch's Fruit Snacks
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    Courtesy of Welch's Fruit Snacks
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    Welch’s Fruit Snacks lets parents use AI to write sweeter notes to kids

    The Lunchbox Notes Translator turns candid sentiments into heartfelt messages and is timed to the release of customizable packaging.

    By April 22, 2025
  • Kendrick Lamar for Gatorade
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    Courtesy of Gatorade
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    Gatorade taps Kendrick Lamar for latest extension of ‘Is It In You?’

    “Lose More. Win More.” was created with TBWA/Chiat/Day LA and pays tribute to the hard work it takes to reach icon status.

    By April 18, 2025
  • WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a Clash of Clans ad
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    Courtesy of Supercell
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Clash of Clans enters war zone with WWE champion

    Created with David New York, a series of video ads speak authentically to fans of both WWE and the hit mobile game from Supercell.

    By April 18, 2025
  • The Snapchat logo is displayed on a cell phone screen.
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    Justin Sullivan/Staff via Getty Images
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    Snap names first CMO in 2 years in lead-up to advertising showcase

    Grace Kao, who recently joined Snap, is taking over marketing leadership from Chief Creative Officer Colleen DeCourcy, who will depart later this year.

    By April 17, 2025
  • CeeDee Lamb in a BodyArmor ad
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    Permission granted by BodyArmor Sports Drink
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    Inside BodyArmor’s new visual identity and largest campaign to date

    The Coca-Cola-owned beverage aims to separate itself from a crowded category with a bold new look and ads that ask consumers to “Choose Better.”

    By April 17, 2025
  • Garage Beer Brewmite campaign
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    Retrieved from Garage Beer on April 15, 2025
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    Garage Beer co-owner Jason Kelce devises martial arts-inspired campaign

    The brand, a fast-growing light beer in the U.S., leverages its connection to the Kelce family through a story-heavy marketing approach.

    By April 16, 2025
  • Mentos in Fortnite
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    Permission granted by Mentos
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    Why Mentos relaunched its iconic jingle and brought brand lore to Fortnite

    To reach Gen Z, the 93-year-old brand is tapping into ‘90s nostalgia and enduring interest in what happens when its mints are mixed with cola.

    By April 16, 2025
  • Chili's Fast Food Financing pop-up
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    Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
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    Chili’s pop-up finances fast food meals in latest dig at rising prices

    A store emulating payday loan retailers doles out gift cards to “approved” visitors, while consumers at home can participate in social giveaways on X. 

    By April 15, 2025