Do people 'f---ing hate' ads? Marketers look to embed brands in culture as aversion grows

Pointed comments kicked off Advertising Week and lingered over a conference that touted promising new sponsorship models on channels like esports and TikTok.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 2, 2019

Burger King milkshake tweet took things too far, UK ad watchdog rules

The now-banned message, intended to be tongue-in-cheek, came amid political figures being pelted with milkshakes.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 2, 2019

Volvo keys into 'Badass Women' for new video series sponsorship

First a column and then a radio show, the series features figures like soccer champion Megan Rapinoe and comedian Phoebe Robinson.

By Dianna Christe • Oct. 2, 2019

Turning back time: How brands tap into nostalgia to build their future

From Hostess Brands' Twinkies to B&G Foods' Green Giant vegetables, CPG companies are getting sentimental in an effort to cut marketing expenses and urge customers to open their wallets.

By Anastassia Gliadkovskaya • Oct. 2, 2019

Chocolatier Russell Stover sings its way to 1st campaign in 2 decades

The 86-year-old brand hopes to update its image with a new generation of chocolate lovers by partnering with a musical influencer.

By Dianna Christe • Oct. 1, 2019

Coca-Cola partners with Diesel on recycled clothing collection

Scanning any recycling logo worldwide opens a hidden shopping page on Diesel.com where the merchandise is available.

By Dianna Christe • Oct. 1, 2019

Virtual ambassadors cloud already murky legal picture for influencer marketing

Whether or not CGI avatars have staying power, they're raising questions around the increasingly blurred lines between content and ads in digital media.

By Natalie Koltun • Oct. 1, 2019

Acura targets performance-minded young drivers on Amazon, Bustle and Thrillist

"Less Talk, More Drive" features partnerships with publishers like Donut Media, a YouTube channel with 2.57 million subscribers.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 30, 2019

Squarespace showcases small business clients in 'Make It Real' campaign

The e-commerce provider gets in on the OOH renaissance with billboards in New York, Chicago, Toronto and London.

By Dianna Christe • Sept. 30, 2019

Chili's takes Detroit families out to dinner in a decked out school bus

After picking up kids from school, the branded bus picked up several busy families and brought them to a Chili's to enjoy a meal together.

By Dianna Christe • Sept. 30, 2019

General Mills CMO predicts 'amorphous' agencies in the future

Ivan Pollard, who received flak in May for General Mills' RFP process, offered predictions around the gig economy and automation.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 27, 2019

Bud Light brings 'Overwatch' to life at esports league finals

Beer will not be served at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center for the Overwatch League Finals until 100 fans participate in a real-life version of a game move.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 27, 2019

Mattel challenges norms with customizable, gender-inclusive doll line

Kids don't want their toys dictated by gender norms, according to the toymaker's research.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 27, 2019

Fritos goes digital-only in 1st creative campaign since 1971

The PepsiCo-owned snack's "Here's to the Moment" campaign was inspired by the parents of a Frito-Lay executive.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 27, 2019

Twitch pushes Grubhub beyond Instagram's 'digital mood board of food porn'

"When I think about gaming, I think it's like the new 'Netflix and chill' for us. Grubhub and gaming go hand in hand," VP of Brand Marketing and Creative Jessica Burns said.

By Natalie Koltun • Sept. 27, 2019

Everlast re-ups its 'Be First' campaign with inclusivity focus

Featured athletes include the first male professional boxer who is transgender and the first above-knee amputee fighter to defeat a "fully bodied" boxer.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 26, 2019

How uncool Mastercard cracked the esports code with 'League of Legends'

Loot boxes and immersive experiences helped the financial services marketer win over notoriously prickly gaming fans.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 26, 2019

Kantar: Award-winning ads are becoming less effective at brand building

Ads that won recognition at Cannes Lions this year were found to be only half as effective at long-term brand building than winners from five years ago.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 26, 2019

Banana Republic drafts NFL star Jared Goff for fall meme campaign

The brand is trying to push its media mix in ways that are most relevant for Goff's fans while being disruptive in the fashion category.

By Dianna Christe • Sept. 25, 2019

How Chipotle saved its brand by embracing a centralized digital marketing strategy

CMO Chris Brandt spoke about ignoring conventional turnaround wisdom to achieve a $1.2 billion revenue increase in three months.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 25, 2019

Behind the rebrand: Marriott and Dunkin' on pinpointing essence

Stripping away extraneous visuals and tactics while honoring a brand's heritage is key to not alienating loyal customers amid a refresh, executives said.

By Natalie Koltun • Sept. 25, 2019

Louis Vuitton designs for 'League of Legends'

The luxury fashion brand joins the esports marketing rush with a real-world trophy case and in-game digital assets.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 24, 2019

Mastercard adds taste to brand's positioning with custom macarons

This sweet new campaign is part of the company's initiative to turn itself into a multi-sensory brand known for making quality experiences possible.

By Barry Levine • Sept. 24, 2019

Forrester: Agencies' data platforms capture significant ad spend but face challenges

To meet CMOs' need for data-driven performance, agency holding groups have invested more than $12 billion in technology and databases since 2014.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 24, 2019

'Avengers' memes and cheese bunkers: Inside 1 of Kellogg's most successful launches

CMO of North America Gail Horwood dished on the premarket research and real-time response that turned Cheez-It Snap'd into a fan favorite.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 24, 2019