Budweiser teams with Detroit rapper Big Sean to rep Michigan

With a limited-edition tallboy, the company joins a growing list of brands tapping into rappers' cool factor.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 29, 2020

Acura accelerates into AR, cinematic ads with multichannel push for TLX

With an ad shot in the style of 1920s silent films and mobile activations, merging old and new media could help the car brand reach a wide audience.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 29, 2020

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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

Video ads drive a 48% higher sales rate than static ads, study says

VidMob reviewed 8,000 mobile video ads to see what drives sales best as smartphones are expected to play a large role in holiday shopping this year.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 29, 2020

Apple halts 30% commission on paid Facebook events in win for small businesses

However, a Facebook spokesperson said Apple is not doing enough to support businesses that have had to shift operations online due to the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 28, 2020

Chipotle duets with TikTok creators to celebrate return of carne asada

Compared to past videos that racked up billions of views, the chain's latest has been viewed 2 million times.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 28, 2020

Absolut promotes voting with its first TV ad in 3 years

The non-partisan spot will air before the first presidential debate and follows other brands with campaigns centered around voting rights.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 28, 2020

TikTok avoids US ban on new downloads in last-minute ruling

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's order on new downloads, a reprieve that could help TikTok sustain growth at a key moment. 

By Robert Williams • Sept. 28, 2020

Air Jordan releases shoppable sportswear for Snapchat's Bitmoji avatars

The Bitmoji collection for its Air Jordan XXXV line is the latest Snapchat-powered effort from a brand that has pioneered social commerce on the app.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2020

E-commerce ad spend to surge 18% amid overall decline, WARC says

As the pandemic changes consumer behaviors, Amazon's ad business grew 4.5 times faster than Facebook's and 63 times faster than Alphabet's in the first half of 2020, the report notes.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 25, 2020

TikTok races into first NASCAR sponsorship with Hispanic newcomer

As the embattled app continues to push into sports marketing, TikTok will celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with the branded car and racing suit of "avid TikTokker" Ryan Vargas.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2020

Campaign Trail: Tecate's visual refresh embodies its modern messaging

A simplified design system lets only the most iconic, beloved elements shine for the beer brand that wants to evolve without alienating longtime fans.

By Natalie Koltun • Sept. 25, 2020

Cream of Wheat chef will be removed from packaging, B&G says

Although the drawing that has been on hot cereal boxes for more than a century may be based on an actual person, the company says "it reminds some consumers of earlier depictions they find offensive."

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 25, 2020

Reddit offers stronger brand-safety controls with tiered ad inventory

The first marketing application of Oracle's "contextual intelligence" adds another layer of third-party filtering so advertisers can choose inventory based on their goals. 

By Robert Williams • Sept. 24, 2020

Environment — and brands' approach to it — matters more than ever to consumers, study finds

Barriers to environmentally friendly consumerism like cost are dropping, while the pandemic has not dampened urgency around the issue.

By Aaron Baar • Sept. 24, 2020

Influencer impact increasingly tied to diversity, study says

One-third of consumers now make purchases based on the recommendations of a more diverse group of influencers than before social injustice protests started this summer.  

By Robert Williams • Sept. 24, 2020

Bagel Bites dips into Twitter debate about how dogs should wear pants

The Kraft Heinz brand sold out of dog pants within a day as part of a campaign that taps into pop cultural debates at a time of increased polarization.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 24, 2020

Retailers get out the vote

Elections are an opportunity for businesses to embrace bipartisan action, overt activism and selling merch.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 23, 2020

Consumers and marketers at odds over ad preferences, Kantar study finds

While consumers prefer offline channels overall and TikTok when it comes to digital, marketers remain committed to established digital platforms.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 23, 2020

Insomnia Cookies dresses up in 'mouth pajamas' on Instagram, TikTok

Instead of urging people into its stores while wearing pajamas to get free cookies, the bakery chain offered designer face masks with delivery orders.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 23, 2020

Uncle Ben's becomes Ben's Original in 'brand evolution'

Mars Food is retiring the face and changing the product's name but retaining its recognizable orange background and bold navy blue letters.

By Megan Poinski • Sept. 23, 2020

WarnerMedia's Rooster Teeth offers AR experience for virtual fan event

The event features virtual fan art based on Rooster Teeth's anime series "RWBY," including a collaborative AR mural wall at the AT&T Discovery District.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 22, 2020

TikTok still faces uncertain future in US amid conflicting claims about deal

After being granted a one-week reprieve from a ban that was set to go into effect on Sunday, questions about the company's future ownership remain.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 22, 2020

General Mills reboots '80s cereal flavors with livestreamed event

The "Ultimate Saturday Morning Drive-In" is designed to connect with people who feel nostalgic for childhood and comfort foods during a stressful year.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 22, 2020

Hormel's record-setting virtual pizza party woos fans, benefits frontline workers

Along with entertaining fans at home with a giant Zoom chat and YouTube concert, the brand boosted charity efforts that benefit frontline workers and independent pizzerias.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 21, 2020

Oracle, Walmart deal for TikTok tentatively approved, paving way for digital shakeup

The proposed U.S. TikTok company will leverage Walmart's e-commerce, fulfillment and payments services while igniting a showdown with major digital platforms.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 21, 2020