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 Black (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

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

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 Black (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 Black (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

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

Kabbage founders aim to connect small businesses, influencers

The new startup looks to fill a need for small businesses that may be seeking a more surefire model than a digital marketing campaign in which they pay for clicks but have no guarantee of sales conversions.

By Dan Ennis • Sept. 24, 2019

Pinterest debuts Shop the Look ads, dynamic business profiles

Updated business profiles let brands make direct sales with a dedicated Shop tab.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 24, 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

'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