Porsche, McDonald's among big brands boarding 'Rise of Skywalker' promo train

With a seamless integration in mind, filmmakers and Lucasfilm's Industrial Light & Magic visual effects studio were part of the ad development process.

By Barry Levine • Oct. 3, 2019

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

Explore the Trendline➔

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

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

Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, Coke are top CPG spenders on Twitter ads, study says

On average, 75% of Twitter media budgets go to video, making it the primary ad format for top-spending brands.

By Robert Williams • 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

DiGiorno crowdsources pizza delivery locations on Twitter

Nestlé's frozen pizza brand is breaking its "no delivery" rule to celebrate National Pizza Month with a fresh hashtag challenge.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 1, 2019

Adidas, Levi's, Michael Kors test product launch alerts on Instagram

Users will receive a reminder 15 minutes before a product drop, giving them time to prepare before limited-edition items sell out.

By Robert Williams • 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

Foot Locker invests in e-commerce and content platform NTWRK

The relationship will allow the athletics retailer to access another channel through which to reach young consumers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 30, 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

Study: 9 of 10 social media ads targeted at Android gamers are 'dark'

New research by BrandTotal and GfK estimates that about 88% of social media spending goes toward dark marketing. 

By Robert Williams • Sept. 30, 2019

NHL players skate onto social media with Opendorse

Opendorse lets players publish key plays and game highlights to their personal social channels immediately after the final buzzer.

By Robert Williams • 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

Honda debuts animated comic book on social media

"Revenge of the Biospiders" highlights the 2020 Civic hatchback for National Comic Book Day.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 26, 2019

Walmart challenges TikTok users to share dance moves

The retailer signed up six influencers to show off their #SavingsShuffle moves and urge others to participate.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 26, 2019

Gen Z sways household buying decisions after seeing Snapchat ads, study finds

While a majority of the cohort is not the primary purchaser within their homes, 63% of sales for CPG advertisers were linked to ads seen only by Gen Z Snapchat users.

By Natalie Koltun • 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

Dietz & Watson cooks up 'rum ham' for 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' premiere

The deli brand partnered with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum on a social media tie-in for the hit sitcom.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2019

Snapchat lengthens video ad limit to 3 minutes

The image-messaging app also added swipe-up actions to six-second commercials and goal-based bidding.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2019

Google overtakes Facebook as top driver of app installs, study says

Social video app TikTok and news app TopBuzz — both run by ByteDance — showed the fastest growth in driving app installs.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 25, 2019