How Taco Bell is exporting its musical bona fides to grow internationally

International CMO Amy Durini explained how the chain is building its brand and why efforts to engage with consumers around culture aren't “plug and play.”

Hyundai’s former CMO Zepeda departs following internal reorganization

Angela Zepeda recently saw her role shifted from CMO to chief creative officer, with performance marketing moving under a separate division.

State Farm bundles football and fútbol for latest NFL-timed campaign

The insurer is promoting its services with a series of ads that feature talent like “Ted Lasso” star Cristo Fernández and Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes.

Buffalo Wild Wings brings Jason Kelce back to football in new ads

The former Eagles center pals around with the brand’s CGI buffalo mascot in an effort that leans into Kelce’s recent retirement and famous brother. 

General Mills teams with Kelce brothers for Cereal Training Camp

The tie-up will be promoted via TV and online ads and includes a new cereal that mixes Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms and Reece’s Puffs.

Calvin Klein debuts 2nd campaign featuring Jeremy Allen White

“The Bear” star’s previous marketing push for the PVH-owned brand generated $74 million in media impressions and led to a jump in underwear sales.

CarMax depicts car-buying nightmare in new ‘Beetlejuice’ ads

The used car retailer’s latest campaign guides consumers through a spooky BeetleMax dealership and spans TV, online video and social media.

Celsius centers campaign on college football to further Gen Z marketing

The energy drink’s expanded NIL roster of Heisman hopefuls will feature in a campaign including TV spots, social content and activations across channels.

Heydude taps Sydney Sweeney for campaign emphasizing comfort

The shoe brand made a long-term, global partnership with the Gen Z star who will help “enlighten the masses on what it means to be a dude.”

Grey Goose links with tennis star for fashion-forward US Open campaign

The vodka brand and Frances Tiafoe are going all-in on style for a social media content series and a giveaway offering premium seats at the tournament. 

WARC: Global ad spend to top $1 trillion in 2024

The projected 10.5% rise in spend this year is a 2.3 percentage point upgrade to WARC’s prior forecast and reflects ongoing artificial intelligence hype.

Dentsu enriches sports marketing data strategy with Sports Innovation Lab

The partnership weds audience segments drawn from across all of the major leagues with insights from Dentsu’s data-driven platform, Merkury.

Marketing data security threats are rising: Where CMOs see gaps

While marketers prioritize working with data-security teams, effective communication remains a struggle, according to research from the CMO Council and KPMG. 

Campaign Trail: UScellular calls out smartphone ironies with Alanis Morissette

In a campaign from AOR The Martin Agency, the fourth-largest wireless network continues its efforts to get consumers to turn off their phones.

Coke Zero Sugar leans into gaming to reach Gen Z college football fans

The better-for-you soft drink serves as the exclusive CPG sponsor of EA Sports College Football 25 and will tour 14 campuses.

Totino’s enters breakfast category with retro ads targeting Gen Z

“Start the Day the Totino’s Way” taps into the younger generation’s appetite for nostalgia to introduce Breakfast Snack Bites.

Why Hinge turned real love stories into a zine written by literary stars

CMO Jackie Jantos explains how “No Ordinary Love” was inspired by #BookTok and helps the “dating app designed to be deleted” reach Gen Z.

E.l.f. serves sports equity with Billie Jean King Cup sponsorship

The cosmetics brand is also a founding partner of iHeart Women’s Sports Audio Network, an audio platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports.

Wonderful Pistachios promotes on-the-go snacking with Uber, Lyft car wraps

An out-of-home campaign highlights the brand’s No Shells product and also includes influencer tie-ups and Wi-Fi sponsorships.

Gap gets loose with pop star Troye Sivan in latest dance-heavy ads

Social media-viral song “Funny Thing” by Thundercat soundtracks a seasonal push spotlighting baggy denim clothing.

Marketers’ ad spend to grow in H2 led by social media and display, report finds

More than half of marketers view CTV as the most critical consumer technology and media trend, according to Mediaocean’s 2024 H2 market report.  

Snoop Dogg and Solo Stove deliver ‘Blunt Marketing’ in latest ads

The smokeless fire pit maker doubles down on its relationship with the rapper following a previous effort that generated buzz but missed sales goals. 

Netflix boosts advertiser dealmaking with fine-tuned strategy

The streamer boasted a 150% increase in ad sales over 2023 and shared further detail on its programmatic advertising capabilities.

Simon Cowell judges Domino’s Pizza alongside new quality captains

The TV personality dons the cap of quality captain, a new staff role that ensures all aspects of an order are correct down to topping portions.

How marketers can leverage creative to combat the impacts of fossil fuel

An essential gap remains in public awareness of the role fossil fuel companies play in the climate crisis, according to WRTHY’s Katie Harrison.