Wendy's revs up 'Rick and Morty' vehicle focused on speedy fry delivery

Iterating on a past car concept, the restaurant is promoting new Hot & Crispy Fries around this weekend's Adult Swim Festival and via its mobile app.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 12, 2021

Arby's cracks into spirits with vodka flavors inspired by its fries

To hype the rollout, the chain teamed with chef Justin Sutherland on Bloody Mary recipes that pair the drinks with other menu offerings.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 10, 2021

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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

Tim Hortons jumps on celeb-menu trend with Justin Bieber

Inspired by the singer's "fanatical" love of the brand, the QSR chain partnered on menu innovations and co-branded merchandise.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 10, 2021

Coke partners with Cameo to gift personalized videos from Santa

The first holiday ad under the brand's new "Real Magic" platform was developed by agency dentsuMB UK.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 9, 2021

How Disney balances entertainment and ad sales in the streaming age

The company is positioning itself to take advantage of changing consumer behavior as streaming and digital advertising expand.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 9, 2021

Campaign Trail: Ikea's buff teddy bears safeguard holiday celebrations

Extending the retailer's message around home as a sanctuary, a new ad shows a set of colorful bears helping a family bond without outside stressors.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Nov. 5, 2021

Lifewtr transports Doja Cat fans to 'Planet Her' with mobile, experiential tactics

Access to VIP concert tickets and autographed items are among the potential prizes in the effort that includes an AR-activated mural hidden in LA.

By Peter Adams • Updated Nov. 3, 2021

Target unwraps its holiday marketing campaign

In partnership with Mother, the retailer's in-house shop tapped women-owned production companies to create its largest campaign of the year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 2, 2021

Spirit brands concoct multisensory shindigs for next-gen experiential marketing

Bombay Sapphire, Johnnie Walker and Grey Goose are some of the marketers using the tactic to explore innovation in ways that are specific to their products.

By Asa Hiken • Nov. 2, 2021

Why agencies remain primed for growth despite Q4's steep challenges

Supply chain chaos has yet to meaningfully impact bottom lines as brands place longer-term bets on areas like e-commerce and data.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 1, 2021

Lexus takes personalization to new level with 'emotionally intelligent' ad

Using facial recognition, the ad adjusts to the viewer in a reflection of how the ES Self-Charging Hybrid recognizes cues and responds to the driver.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 28, 2021

Reebok builds on new brand direction in latest campaign

With a deal in hand to be acquired by Authentic Brands Group, the company is trying to reinvent its brand image after years of challenges.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 26, 2021

At Advertising Week: Less fluff and increased candor around industry's uncertain future

Across four days in New York, marketers stepped out of their comfort zones with optimism that occasionally belied ongoing supply chain and engagement issues.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 26, 2021

Gap pays tribute to love, kindness and The Beatles in holiday push

"All Together Now" stars musician Katy Perry and builds on the brand's year-old philosophy of "modern American optimism."

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 25, 2021

How Hot Pockets joined Gen Z gamer culture through Twitch Bits

A couponing push drove six times higher conversion rates than past efforts, helping the brand gain relevancy with key young cohorts, an exec said at Advertising Week.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 25, 2021

Campaign Trail: Honey Bunches of Oats emphasizes self-care to fuel mornings

In the Post brand's first national effort in three years, "Make a Bunch Happen" includes happiness "hacks" on social and tie-ups with radio show hosts.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 22, 2021

How Mondelez deploys empathy to sidestep personalized marketing's 'creepy chasm'

At Advertising Week, Global Vice President of Consumer Experience Jon Halvorson emphasized that efficiency is driven by smarter creative and a simpler media plan.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 22, 2021

How Unilever and other marketers work to avoid greenwashing

The CPG giant's chief digital and marketing officer said a gap exists between consumer attitudes and actions around sustainability because of complexity.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2021

'Berries and Cream' creators on what's driving TikTok comeback of 14-year-old ad

The team behind the original Starburst campaign emphasized that deliberately trying to go viral is a recipe for failure before the Little Lad crashed its Advertising Week panel.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 20, 2021

For Jose Cuervo, marketing success means engaging consumers more directly

The marketer's strategy has shifted away from a heavy reliance on brand awareness, the CMO of parent Proximo Spirits said during Advertising Week.

By Asa Hiken • Oct. 20, 2021

How product shortages and an extended shopping season are upending holiday marketing

Preparing contingencies for different holiday scenarios puts additional pressure on brands and agencies working to keep up amid their own staffing challenges.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 19, 2021

Snap opens creative studio for branded AR with clients P&G, Verizon and WWE

Platform-agnostic shop Arcadia will work with brands and agencies to blend creative design with technology and advance the augmented reality ecosystem.

By Chantal Tode • Oct. 19, 2021

IAB: Advertisers must prioritize utility over cleverness, or lose out on digital boom

Advertisers and their agencies should look at innovations in publishing that focus on anticipating consumer needs, the group recommends.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 18, 2021

Raising the bar: Webinars reimagined

As virtual event technology comes of age and functionality continues to push boundaries, audience expectations for what's considered an engaging webinar, have also changed.

Oct. 18, 2021

NBCU's 'Chucky' brings scare tactics to social media, NY Comic Con

Fans can engage the killer doll through a staring contest on TikTok and Instagram Reels, as well as a custom AR effect called "Where's Chucky?"

By Asa Hiken • Oct. 14, 2021