Volkswagen overhauls marketing after backlash from racist ad

The carmaker owned up — though no one was fired — but will likely continue to face criticism as consumers grow increasingly fed up with these kinds of failures.

By Dianna Christie • June 12, 2020

Joann promotes face mask donations on Facebook, Instagram

The campaign includes targeted local advertising that urges people to make protective face masks for all Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Robert Williams • June 11, 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

P&G's Native spotlights armpits in new digital campaign

The natural deodorant effort includes a series of video spots on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram as people huddle at home during the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • June 11, 2020

Mobile ad engagement rises 15% during pandemic, study says

Receptivity to ads jumped before falling to more normal levels as the U.S. economy begins to reopen.

By Robert Williams • June 9, 2020

TikTok seeks greater content variety, with eye on live video, DIY tutorials

The social video app is looking to expand beyond music and dance videos as it plans its first NewFronts pitch to marketers later this month.

By Robert Williams • June 9, 2020

Digiday: Marketers pay higher ad rates for social video as demand returns

Publishers are reporting higher CPMs for video ad placements on Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube in an early sign of pandemic recovery.

By Robert Williams • June 9, 2020

Dunkin' flexes advertising muscle in 1st national recruitment campaign

The chain is promoting 25,000 job openings through TV spots, digital assets, social, radio, OOH and in-store signage as the economy is hit with pandemic-related unemployment.

By Dianna Christie • June 9, 2020

TikTok viewership rivals YouTube's among kids, study finds

Children ages 4 to 15 spend an average of 80 minutes a day on the social video app, up 200% since last year.

By Robert Williams • June 8, 2020

Ben & Jerry's calls to dismantle white supremacy

The ice cream maker has supported the Black Lives Matter cause since 2016, and its latest message of support includes a strategic action plan.

By Dianna Christie • June 5, 2020

Facebook researchers detail progress in contextual chatbots for shopping

Exploring conversational shopping for furniture and fashion suggests Facebook still sees potential for the tech to support commerce, a key focus area as it looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.

By Robert Williams • June 5, 2020

Snapchat curtails Trump's presence as questions around social media's role proliferate

Following Twitter's actions to label the president's posts as inaccurate, Snap says it won't "amplify voices who incite racial violence and injustice by giving them free promotion."

By Robert Williams • June 4, 2020

McDonald's names victims of police brutality, racist violence in new ad

The chain shows solidarity with Black Lives Matters in the clip and pledges to donate to the National Urban League and the NAACP.

By Dianna Christie • June 4, 2020

Adidas sees 52% gain in ROAS from Snapchat's e-commerce ads

The athletic apparel brand tested Snapchat's dynamic product ads that are now available worldwide.

By Robert Williams • June 4, 2020

Nike's 'For Once, Don't Do It' ad seen as empowering, exploitative: study

While less polarizing than its ads featuring Colin Kaepernick in 2018, people didn't want to see a corporation taking advantage of George Floyd's murder and subsequent protests to sell shoes.

By Dianna Christie , Natalie Black (Koltun) • June 3, 2020

Listening to change: Customer experience execs share insights on navigating COVID-19

Many brands are shifting focus from sales to brand-building during the pandemic and harnessing data that serves as the voice of customers, writes ActionIQ's Tasso Argyos.

By Tasso Argyos • June 3, 2020

Is Facebook using the pandemic to shore up its influence?

The social giant stirred controversy in acquiring the popular image-sharing platform Giphy last month, but marketers shouldn't be surprised by further consolidation in the broader tech landscape.

By Peter Adams • June 3, 2020

Facebook, AppsFlyer team on in-app ad measurement for game developers

The companies aim to help developers identify how their ad campaigns drive app downloads and support loyalty.

By Robert Williams • June 3, 2020

Top brands, digital media rally around Blackout Tuesday, but it could backfire

Blacking out channels in support of protests risks drowning out #BlackLivesMatter online, The Verge reported, while skepticism toward corporate track records is growing.

By Peter Adams • June 2, 2020

Talkspace ends Facebook talks to protest content moderation policy

The provider of online therapy criticized Facebook for not removing a post by President Trump, though it's too early to tell whether the public condemnation signals a broader trend of brands refusing to work with the social network.

By Robert Williams • June 2, 2020

AB InBev supports global bar partners with localized social ads

A new social media tool by Tiger Pistol aims to help bars and restaurants turn the beverage giant's creative into local ads that drive in-store traffic.

By Dianna Christie • June 2, 2020

Bomb Pop blasts off on social to win over tweens

With the #NotOneThing campaign, the brand of frozen dessert aims to reach tweens on digital media platforms such as TikTok, Twitch and SoundCloud.

By Robert Williams • June 2, 2020

1-800-Flowers CMO on how to fertilize connections as consumer needs change

Bringing people together around flowers and digital content is a blooming opportunity, says the e-commerce retailer's Amit Shah.

By Dianna Christie • June 2, 2020

HBO Max matches with Bumble on virtual date giveaway

The streaming platform is offering a preview of the Anna Kendrick-starring series "Love Life" and a $20 food delivery gift card for a virtual date.

By Robert Williams • June 1, 2020

Facebook's Venue makes live TV events more social, starting with NASCAR

The app lets fans interact with expert commentators including journalists, athletes or "fan-analysts" who host a mobile gathering spot.

By Robert Williams • June 1, 2020

Bubly launches TikTok, Instagram campaign to show #UnstoppablePride

PepsiCo's brand of flavored seltzer launched its Pride campaign after pausing due to the importance of "current conversations happening across America."

By Robert Williams • Updated June 18, 2020