3 advertising stats from Meta’s record holiday ‘25 period

AI-driven improvements to ads ranking and learning models boosted clicks and conversions during the key Q4 window, which drew record demand. 

By Peter Adams • Jan. 29, 2026

Unpacking the marketing industry trends forecast for 2026

Marketers must remain resilient as they navigate ongoing challenges, including an uncertain economic backdrop and the advancement of AI.

By Marketing Dive staff • Jan. 29, 2026

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

How Applebee’s Date Night Pass builds on the chain’s marketing-led success

CMO Michelle Chin details the return of the fan-favorite offer and the lessons she’s learned in her first few months at the Dine Brands chain.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 28, 2026

Heinz taps into Super Bowl snack culture with novelty ketchup keg

Developed by internal agency The Kitchen, the KegChup plays on data showing 84% of consumers make their own snacks for the big game.

By Sara Karlovitch • Jan. 28, 2026

Retailers look beyond social feeds for brand storytelling in 2026

Marketers are experimenting more with channels like Substack as they focus on human-powered brand building in the age of algorithms and AI.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 27, 2026

Sociable: TikTok users balk under new US owners, boosting alternatives

Upscrolled, Skylight and Yope are growing as TikTok users in the U.S. become disgruntled with privacy concerns, censorship and platform instability.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Jan. 26, 2026

Sociable: TikTok signs off on US joint venture, securing app’s future

After years of back and forth, TikTok will remain available to U.S. users, with parent ByteDance holding onto a nearly 20% stake in the app.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Jan. 23, 2026

TikTok ups bid to entertainment marketers with latest ad solutions

Streaming Ads and New Title Launch are meant to deliver personalized, entertainment-specific content and drive subscriptions and ticket sales.

By Aaron Baar • Jan. 22, 2026

How Macy’s is flexing its Style Crew affiliate program beyond social media

The department store recently experimented with its Style Crew of over 600 influencers by integrating them into in-person events and direct mailers.

By Jessica Hammers • Jan. 22, 2026

Why Hershey’s first major campaign in 8 years comes ahead of the Olympics

The brand partnered with The Martin Agency for a new platform that utilizes MiltonOne, a bespoke Publicis Groupe solution.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 21, 2026

YouTube revamps visual identity amid shifting entertainment landscape

A new typeface and illustration style are complemented by the Google-owned platform’s first motion identity, which mimics the feel of creator content.

By Peter Adams • Updated Jan. 22, 2026

Why Dos Equis revived the Most Interesting Man amid category headwinds

Alison Payne, CMO for parent company Heineken USA, explains how the iconic character is being reimagined for the social-digital world.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 16, 2026

E.l.f. and Liquid Death reunite for Lip Embalms on TikTok Shop

The duo previously worked together around a Corpse Paint makeup collection that sold out in 45 minutes and racked up millions of social views.

By Aaron Baar • Jan. 15, 2026

Norwegian Cruise Line brings back ‘90s tagline for platform, campaign

“It’s Different Out Here” reinforces the idea that memories matter more than amenities, pushing back against an industry often focused on the latter.

By Jessica Hammers • Jan. 15, 2026

9 marketing predictions for 2026 as AI fuels polarity

The sense of a stable middle ground is eroding across an industry at a point of contraction, with many displaying mixed feelings about marketing’s future.

By Peter Adams , Chris Kelly , Jessica Hammers , Sara Karlovitch • Jan. 13, 2026

For retail brands, TikTok Shop’s rise brings viral success — and disruption

At NRF, executives described major sales wins while acknowledging the social commerce feature is shaking up several retail fundamentals.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 13, 2026

How rising retail brands use influencers to combat digital overload

At NRF’s Big Show, execs from Mejuri, Coterie and Beyond Yoga emphasized the power of community in amplifying brand messages and viral moments.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 12, 2026

Why Lego turned the Sphere into the Death Star to showcase innovation

Crafted in partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm, the interactive activation at CES promoted the launch of Lego’s new Smart Play sets.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 8, 2026

Miller Lite centers IRL social interaction with new creative platform

“Legendary Moments Start with a Lite” was developed in partnership with Leo Chicago and stars Christopher Walken.

By Sara Karlovitch • Jan. 8, 2026

Almond Breeze jabs at AI-generated slop with the Jonas Brothers

New videos show the trio pitched shoddy AI content, like an ad of them floating in space, before settling on a more traditional endorsement.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 6, 2026

Lowe’s pops up at movie theaters with Cinemark popcorn promotion

The two-day Bring Your Own Bucket event sees the retailer continuing to promote its branded containers.

By Aaron Baar • Jan. 6, 2026

Listerine turns mouthwashing sounds into music with Twitch creators

A series of livestreams timed to the new year will culminate in Twitch partners collaborating on a song that will soundtrack an audio campaign.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 22, 2025

How generative AI upends the brand crisis playbook

A recent Campbell’s controversy demonstrates how brands must respond to negative narratives in the age of AI, writes Terakeet’s Shannon Reedy.

By Shannon Reedy • Dec. 22, 2025

Sociable: TikTok US unit reportedly signs deal with Oracle-led investor group

After a year of wrangling, it looks like TikTok's American operations will be sold to U.S. investors including Silver Lake and MGX.

By Andrew Hutchinson • Dec. 19, 2025

Cava experiments with social-first marketing via dating microseries

The second season of “Bowlmates” arrives with more episodes and a bigger focus on cross-promotion on the chain's main social channels.

By Sara Karlovitch • Dec. 18, 2025