How State Farm meets the challenge of Gen Z marketing with esports

The insurance firm’s “Gamerhood Challenge” is returning for a second year with bigger challenges and adding YouTube as a streaming partner.

By Aaron Baar • May 31, 2023

LinkedIn emphasizes the power of networking in global push

Created with Droga5, “Find Your In” includes a minute-long spot and creator-led activation and arrives following a major round of layoffs at the company.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The Marketing Dive Outlook on 2023

Key into where the industry winds are blowing in 2023 across media, emergent technology and the public mood.

By Marketing Dive staff

WPP shakes up creative process with AI-powered content engine

Supported by Nvidia, the new platform promises to generate large volumes of assets like images and videos while staying true to client goals. 

By Peter Adams • May 30, 2023

Unilever’s chief digital and commercial officer Conny Braams departs

The executive spent more than 30 years at the CPG giant and has served as its top marketer since the start of 2020.

By Chris Kelly • May 30, 2023

How Cashmere’s blend of culture and data is winning clients

Recent AOR appointments from Marriott Bonvoy and Dave & Buster’s demonstrate how the agency’s approach is resonating at a fraught time for brand messaging.

By Peter Adams • Updated May 26, 2023

Campaign Trail: Don Julio’s fantastical disco day party introduces a new innovation

The Diageo distiller created a vibrant, pink-hued world to position its new Rosado expression as the daytime counterpart to its popular 1942 product.

By Chris Kelly • May 26, 2023

In massive executive shuffle, Nike names new Jordan president

Heidi O’Neill's promotion to president of consumer, product and brand will “fully integrate [Nike’s] brand marketing storytelling to build deep relationships and engagement with the brand.”

By Cara Salpini • May 25, 2023

Bacardi extends brand platform with custom Snap AR lens, sneaker NFTs

A speakeasy pop-up event in New York and music festival experiences are also part of the brand’s latest iteration of its “Do What Moves You” platform.

By Jessica Deyo • May 25, 2023

Smoothie King pens paperback romance novel with aid of ChatGPT

The 250-page “A Summer Fling to the X-Treme” is laced with secret codes readers can crack for the chance to win a free smoothie via the brand’s app.

By Peter Adams • May 25, 2023

Chipotle gears up for a fight with Street Fighter 6 activation

The chain is rewarding consumers who place orders on the web or via app with in-game currency and will trade free food for viewing time on Twitch.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 25, 2023

Kroger brings digital smart screens to 500 locations

The grocer is adding units from Cooler Screens on the heels of a three-year pilot, with the goal of strengthening its retail media offerings. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 24, 2023

McDonald’s spotlights Black Girls Surf to promote ‘Little Mermaid’ tie-up

The fast food giant is doubling down on inclusivity around a film that has faced racist backlash, while the chain faces its own accusations of racial bias.

By Chris Kelly • May 24, 2023

Peloton’s latest brand revamp arrives as revenue drops 22%

The refresh brings a free membership tier and a new in-app content feature, Peloton Gym, as the brand strives to be more accessible.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 24, 2023

71% of CMOs lack the budget needed to execute marketing strategy in 2023

Martech is the recipient of the biggest boost in spending while labor faces the largest pullback, a dynamic that could present challenges down the line.

By Jessica Deyo • May 23, 2023

Kraft Singles refreshes brand with bold colors, easier-to-open packaging

The first overhaul in five years arrives as the brand looks to maintain its momentum during a period of high inflation. 

By Sara Karlovitch • May 23, 2023

BMW applies sustainability to messaging and media buy

The “Forces of Nature” branded video series for Canada delivered higher than expected completed views and was optimized toward sites with low emissions.

By Aaron Baar • May 22, 2023

Report: As CTV commands advertiser interest, fraud grows nearly 70%

A focus at this year’s upfronts, the channel has also seen the variety of schemes triple since 2020, according to DoubleVerify.

By Peter Adams • May 22, 2023

Walmart ad biz growth continues to outpace rivals

The retailer's global advertising business grew over 30% last quarter, a higher rate than chief competitor Amazon and other digital ad platforms.

By Chris Kelly • May 22, 2023

Pitching new business is busted for agencies and brands. Can it be fixed?

Stakeholders agree the long-standing pitch model is broken and too expensive, thanks in part to inertia and misaligned objectives, per Forrester.

By Aaron Baar • May 22, 2023

Mercedes-Benz names new CMO as auto transformation race heats up

Melody Lee previously worked at rival Cadillac, where she overhauled the brand’s identity and helped launch a luxury vehicle subscription service.

By Peter Adams • May 19, 2023

L.L. Bean ditched social media for May — here’s how it’s going so far

For Mental Health Awareness Month, the retailer vowed to avoid posting on social and instead focus on nature, challenging consumers to do the same.

By Jessica Deyo • May 18, 2023

At Brandcast, YouTube weds power of NFL to creators like MrBeast

Convergence was a major theme at the 2023 presentation as the platform takes over NFL Sunday Ticket and contends with advertising headwinds.

By Peter Adams • May 18, 2023

WBD unveils robust advertising options for Max ahead of May 23 launch

The combined HBO Max and Discovery+ service offers marketers a range of advertising options, with focuses on reach, reward and interaction.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 18, 2023

Pepsi presses play on summer with Bad Bunny, Apple Music

The brand revealed a 90-second spot featuring the pop star as a lifeguard who can control pool-goers’ choreography with a bottle of cola.

By Chris Kelly • Updated June 1, 2023

Boycott narrows Bud Light’s lead in the premium beer category

Sales of the AB InBev-owned brew have fallen and the brand has lost ground to offerings from Molson Coors and Yuengling following its promotion with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

By Christopher Doering • May 17, 2023