Mars brand Excel Gum uses ASMR to relieve studying stress

Running in Canada, the “Excel Study Beats” program leverages creators to share soothing gum content across TikTok, YouTube and Spotify.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 30, 2023

Gillette encourages gamers to ‘hit reset’ for global campaign

The marketer’s long-running Gillette Gaming Alliance will be active on Twitch, YouTube and social media to share gaming content and grooming tips.

By Jessica Deyo • Nov. 30, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Influencer Marketing

Amid a surge in confidence and new platform approaches, brands continue to turn to influencers for fresh content that can reach online consumers.

By Marketing Dive staff

Sociable: Musk tells advertisers to ‘go f--- yourself,’ calls X boycott ‘blackmail’

X’s owner apologized for antisemitic posts but bristled over advertisers' response during an interview at the New York Times DealBook Summit.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Nov. 30, 2023

McDonald’s reinvents McNugget Buddies for streetwear-minded adults

The chain teamed with Kerwin Frost to reinvent the iconic Happy Meal collectibles, which will land on Instagram and be part of a Snapchat AR lens.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 29, 2023

Cheez-It amps up Citrus Bowl sponsorship with in-stadium barbershop, spa

A TikTok challenge for showing off brand-inspired game day looks rounds out the college football play from the Kellanova brand.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 29, 2023

How the best marketing campaigns of 2023 mastered pop culture nostalgia

Brands faced a preponderance of global challenges this year and opted for a familiar playbook as the industry arrives at a crossroads.

By Chris Kelly , Sara Karlovitch , Jessica Deyo • Nov. 29, 2023

How Walmart’s shoppable rom-com bridges holiday content, commerce

Ads on TikTok, Roku and YouTube showcase an assortment meant to balance “inspiration and impulse” for the season, according to CMO William White.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 28, 2023

Mars recycles old ads for M&Ms, Twix to promote net-zero progress

The campaign reanimates popular spots with new messages about climate action and will run across Meta, YouTube and OOH channels.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 28, 2023

Pop-Tarts unveils edible mascot for inaugural bowl game

Consumers are encouraged to follow the brand on social to see the mascot, which will be available as a snack for the winner of the college football game.

By Jessica Deyo • Nov. 28, 2023

Brand backlash: Are 2023’s epic marketing fails part of a bigger problem?

High-profile controversies have sent a chilling effect across an industry facing down another contentious election year and crusades against “wokeness.”

By Peter Adams • Nov. 28, 2023

Las Vegas spurs excessive celebration at Super Bowl with new campaign

Made with agency R&R partners, “Excessive Celebration Encouraged” sees Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson recreate infamous touchdown celebrations.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 27, 2023

Secret Island Salmon swims upstream with ‘F-word’ campaign

Edgy messaging is helping the direct-to-consumer brand drive awareness as it prepares for a broader launch at retail.

By Christine Blank • Nov. 22, 2023

Sociable: Will chaos at OpenAI benefit social media’s AI projects?

With the dust still yet to settle, many are now wondering what comes next for the AI field.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Nov. 21, 2023

Sociable: X’s long-term business is again threatened by Musk’s rule

The beleaguered platform cannot sustain a long-running advertiser boycott.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Nov. 20, 2023

Snoop Dogg gives up smoke for Solo Stove campaign

A viral pledge assumed to be about pot usage turns out to be a teaser for a new campaign developed by The Martin Agency.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 20, 2023

Dove, animated influencer promote mental health ahead of Thanksgiving

Lennnie is an animated blob that promotes positivity on social media and has amassed more than 4 million followers. 

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 20, 2023

Teen TikTok usage plateaus — here’s what the numbers say

While usage has flattened, TikTok overtook YouTube for the first time as the top platform for teens, according to findings from Forrester.

By Sara Karlovitch • Nov. 17, 2023

Sleigh the season: Will caution stifle the holidays or can marketers win?

Consumer spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic figures, but brands are proceeding carefully as uncertainty looms.

By Jessica Deyo • Nov. 16, 2023

Chili’s remixes Baby Back Ribs jingle with Boyz II Men

The effort leans into ‘90s nostalgia while trying to usher a signature piece of branding into the TikTok era.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 14, 2023

Sociable: Breaking down Meta-Amazon deal to ease shopping on Facebook and IG

The new deal will enable Amazon merchants to connect with Facebook and Instagram users.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Nov. 13, 2023

How Pop-Tarts Bites hones its messaging with data-driven insights

A pilot with VidMob used AI and machine learning to reveal that functional messaging performed better across Meta than more emotionally led ads.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 13, 2023

Meta rolls out lead generation ad tools, AI features across family of apps

Advertisers will be able to apply AI across targeting, creative, placements and budget on the Meta Advantage suite of ad automation products.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 9, 2023

Lay’s, reality star Matt James join viral TikTok trend with cookbook kit

The brand and a veteran of “The Bachelor” are getting in on a viral cooking hack of turning chips into mashed potatoes with a social media sweepstakes.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 9, 2023

Unilever spins TikTok soap opera as part of #CleanTok sponsorship

A new content series features animated versions of home care products as the CPG giant seeks to woo Gen Z viewers who have driven cleaning trends.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 9, 2023

How Uber built its TikTok creator strategy — and why it looks beyond vanity metrics

Phil Rosario, Uber’s global social media lead for TikTok, explains how he leveraged creators to grow the brand’s following to over 750,000 within a year.

By Jessica Deyo • Nov. 9, 2023