Executive of the Year: Keith Weed, Unilever

No CMO has taken as clear-eyed a perspective on the marketing world's issues in 2018 as Weed, who's been tough on industry darlings like influencers while holding an optimistic view of the future.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2018

Technology of the Year: Adidas' 'Here to Create Legend'

In an impressive sprint for the Boston Marathon, Adidas used innovative technology to deliver personalized videos to 30,000 runners — all within hours of their crossing the finish line.​

By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2018

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

Champion of the Year: Syl Saller, Diageo

Diageo's CMO has frequently championed an inclusive approach to marketing and creativity by spearheading diversity initiatives and leading stronger pushes for gender representation throughout the industry.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2018

Deal of the Year: IPG buys Acxiom Marketing Solutions

The $2.3 billion purchase marks a win-win, sharpening IPG's specialization in the crucial field of data while letting the Acxiom unit more deeply collaborate with the ad giant's client roster.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 3, 2018

Marketer of the Year: Nike

The brand made a number of touchdowns in 2018, from a risky ad to groundbreaking digital work, helping to drive the company's sales and stock value and earning it the title of marketing MVP.

By Chantal Tode • Dec. 3, 2018

Disruptor of the Year: Burger King

After scoring one of 2017's top campaigns, Burger King continues its "hackvertist" approach to rack up earned media — and sales growth.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 3, 2018

Campaign of the Year: Amazon's 'Jurassic World' delivery

The mega-delivery stunt drew buzz for a film premiere and illustrated how co-branding could become more of a mainstay in future omnichannel efforts.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 3, 2018

Nat Geo, WeWork recreate '90s workspaces to promote dot-com bubble series

The campaign features authentic computers and games from the era, along with social vending machines that dispense candy, toys and trading cards. 

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 3, 2018

Maxwell House's labor-focused campaign drives purchase intent, ad awareness, analysis finds

Since the campaign's launch around Labor Day, brand awareness jumped six percentage points while purchase consideration rose from 17% to 22%.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 30, 2018

Captain Morgan hosts holiday contest on Instagram

Actor Adam Devine will "crash" the house party of one lucky winner.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 30, 2018

Payless entices influencers with fake luxury boutique

Attendees offered up to $640 for discount shoes, but rather than pocket the extra cash, the retailer captured influencers' shocked reactions for ads. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 30, 2018

Campaign Trail: Spotify shoots for holiday 3-peat; Stonyfield nods to 'Parks & Rec'; 'Viva La Vulva'

The streaming platform unwraps more data-driven billboards, while a yogurt maker fights against soccer fields sprayed with pesticides and a feminine-care brand gets provocative. 

By Peter Adams , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • Nov. 30, 2018

BMW drives in the straightest line possible across the country for auto show stunt

To promote its new X5 model, the brand traveled through 11 states and covered more than 3,000 miles to arrive at the LA Auto Show. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 30, 2018

Stella Artois debuts 'robot bartender' that serves drinks, cleans up after itself

Bartending Automatic Robotic Technology, or B.A.R.T., turns a robot vacuum into an autonomous bar cart for the AB InBev beer.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 29, 2018

Hardee's wants Tinder users to swipe right for chicken tender deal

As the chain sets a marketing path separate from sibling brand Carl's Jr., it also leans on celebrities in new ads around the quality of its food.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 27, 2018

Aquaman dives into Roblox gaming platform in Warner Bros. tie-up

The online game, which is popular with teens, created an immersive experience based on the upcoming DC comics adaption. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 27, 2018

Oreo unwraps playable turntable that spins cookies, not vinyl

Available on Amazon, the holiday gift lets users record messages and skip to a new song each time a bite is taken from the snackable disc.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 26, 2018

The Macallan takes flight with first-ever global ad campaign

The Scotch whisky brand's "Make The Call" includes a 90-second film and will launch across television, cinema and digital channels.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 26, 2018

Relive the year's 6 biggest brand fails — they carry important lessons for marketers

From Cambridge Analytica to Papa John's founder fallout, corporate missteps captured public attention and heaps of criticism in a year when the lines between brand and politics continued to blur.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 26, 2018

Campaign Trail: Michelob's turkey trot; PETA grills Butterball; Yellow Tail hops on UGC trend

A very special Thanksgiving edition has our editors examining a health-focused holiday push, a scathing critique of a poultry maker and one brand getting started early on the Super Bowl. 

By Peter Adams , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • Nov. 21, 2018

Taco Bell (sort of) resurrects London's Big Ben with distinctive, branded chime

The famous tower has been under construction and silent for more than a year, giving the marketer an opportunity to promote four new locations in the city. 

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 21, 2018

Chili's taps into online pop-up trend with limited Cyber Monday merch

The brand's team of designers shared sneak peeks of the gear on social media, including a T-shirt inspired by a popular episode of "The Office."

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 21, 2018

Comic Dive: Half-Baked Thanksgiving Turkeys

This holiday season, poultry producers are stuffing their campaigns with QR codes, emoji and voice activations — but no fresh ideas.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Nov. 20, 2018

Secret demands equal pay for women in star-studded music video

The P&G brand teamed with Ladies Get Paid and co-working space The Wing to provide women with resources like a downloadable toolkit and workshops.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 20, 2018

Halfway across the world, consumers demand brands take political action — but it looks different than in the US

Nearly two-thirds of surveyed UAE consumers think it's important for brands they follow to take a stance on societal issues, but what issues are "acceptable" vary.

By Erica Sweeney • Nov. 20, 2018