Why 2022 shouldn't be '2020, too' for the events industry

The year ahead offers event marketers a chance to flex the muscle they've built for finding creative solutions to unforeseeable obstacles, writes Media.Monks' Rachel Polin.

By Rachel Polin • Jan. 27, 2022

M&M's celebrates iconic albums in packaging play following controversial rebrand

Artists recognized range from David Bowie to Rosalía in a bid to represent fan bases of different cultural backgrounds and generations. 

By Peter Adams • Jan. 26, 2022

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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

Miller Lite skirts Super Bowl ad block with metaverse bar

The Meta Lite Bar will open its virtual doors in Decentraland on Feb. 7, giving patrons the chance to win $500 in cash — not cryptocurrency.

By Sara Karlovitch • Updated Feb. 2, 2022

NBCUniversal deepens TikTok ties around uncertain Winter Olympics

Brand partners will be able to pilot new ad experiences while the network will host livestreams with a creator from the app.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 24, 2022

Patrón turns to a DTC spirits marketplace to release its first NFT

BlockBar.com users who purchase the NFT from Patrón can either sell it or redeem it for a bottle of Chairman's Reserve, which is limited to 150 bottles.

By Sara Karlovitch • Jan. 24, 2022

Taco Bell crowdsources fan ideas for time-loop Nacho Fries ad

The latest promotion for the limited-run menu item takes a unique approach in tapping Twitter to steer the spot's creative direction.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Jan. 20, 2022

Twitter users tire of 'sea of same' from brands, report finds

Relying only on humor can feel outdated and strip a brand of its distinctiveness, survey respondents said, suggesting it's time for messaging to evolve.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 20, 2022

As events again go virtual, marketing takeaways from a timely metaverse activation

Publicis worked with Samsung on a Decentraland experience that proved prescient as CES saw major exhibitors and attendees pull out last minute due to omicron concerns.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 19, 2022

Marriott seeks TikTok creators to drive content around loyalty program

Marriott Bonvoy TikTok Correspondents will creatively document everything they encounter on social media, reinforcing how essential travel can be.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 18, 2022

SmileDirectClub's strategy for TikTok blends tweaking TV ads and fresh content

The DTC brand of teeth aligners found that TikTok delivers the best results with a mix of programmatic ads and organic engagement.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2022

Mobile ad spend leapt 23% in 2021, on track to hit $350B this year

Spurred by a continuation of pandemic-induced changes to consumers' habits, mobile usage continues to soar, App Annie found.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Jan. 13, 2022

The long and short of it: understanding video options in a fragmented world

While short-form video boosts discoverability, longer formats are critical for brand-building and storytelling, writes Meta's Patrick Harris.

By Patrick Harris • Jan. 13, 2022

Twitter invests in Aleph Group to support digital ad expertise globally

Aleph is building an education tech platform for digital advertising with the goal of training more than 50,000 professionals in 90 countries on five continents.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 12, 2022

Looking ahead: 9 trends that will steer marketing in 2022

Marketers face a steep road this year juggling emergent tech and changes to online tracking while trying to meet the shifting moods of pandemic-weary consumers.

By Peter Adams , Chris Kelly , Natalie Black (Koltun) • Jan. 11, 2022

Social commerce to grow 3 times as fast as e-commerce, Accenture predicts

Driven by Gen Z and millennials, shopping on social media platforms is forecast to grow from $492 billion in 2021 to $1.2 trillion by 2025.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 6, 2022

Cameo poised for bigger role in brands' 2022 social strategy

Gaining momentum last year among brands like Coca-Cola and Infiniti, the platform may help to create a "halo effect" around online content.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 6, 2022

Yahoo builds out shoppable ad tech with MikMak deal

Along with providing access to first-party data, the deal lets CPG advertisers offer a multi-retailer checkout experience directly from ads on Yahoo sites.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Jan. 6, 2022

Frito-Lay and Rick Astley renounce New Year's deprivations

Focused on leaning into what brings joy, "New Year, New You" gives TikTok users an opportunity to duet on the singer's hit "Never Gonna Give You Up."

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 5, 2022

TikTok dethrones Google as most-visited website

The social video app hit the 1 billion user mark in September and is forecast to reach 1.5 billion monthly active users toward the end of 2022.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 23, 2021

Retailers tailor holiday paid social to Gen Z, with YouTube grabbing biggest spend

The findings show Gen Z wields growing purchasing power and is more comfortable buying through apps like YouTube and Instagram as social commerce booms.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 23, 2021

Triller merges with SeaChange to extend reach into OTT media

Set to close in Q1, the deal takes the social media platform public and positions it to build a TikTok competitor.

By Nina Lentini • Dec. 23, 2021

Forever 21's metaverse venture lets Roblox users customize virtual fashion stores

Players and fashion influencers can design, own and manage stores as they try to become the "top shop."

By Nina Lentini • Dec. 20, 2021

Jif, Gap highlighted in TikTok's review of 2021

The year-end review can help marketers understand what resonates with users and potentially attract more activity on the app as they prepare 2022 plans.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 16, 2021

E.l.f. goes long-form for meme-heavy holiday 'movie' native to TikTok

Breaking with the app's snackable focus, "Big Mood, Big e.l.f.ing City" nods to 2021 trends like the Couch Guy and a viral salmon bowl recipe.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 15, 2021

Walmart teams with TalkShopLive as social commerce ramp up continues

Following efforts on Twitter and TikTok, the partnership is the retailer's latest move to bridge content with commerce.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 14, 2021