7 trends set to shape marketing in 2019

The next 12 months will see major pieces fall into place, with heavier investments in data and e-commerce and marketers turning to in-house teams for purposeful creative that packs a punch.

By Peter Adams , Chantal Tode , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • Jan. 7, 2019

The choice of a robot generation: PepsiCo rolls out campus snackbots

The University of the Pacific is home to the technology, the first of its kind at a U.S. college from a major CPG company.

By Jessi Devenyns • Jan. 4, 2019

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

Dunkin’ makes name change official with new packaging, social vignettes

Social content shows people getting on a first-name basis with the brand by knitting a Dunkin’ sweater, getting a themed hairdo and more. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 4, 2019

Cadbury challenges fans to find Creme Eggs hidden in other brands’ ads

Viewers who spot an egg in an ad can take a photo of the sighting and upload it to a microsite for the chance to win a prize.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 4, 2019

5 stories that shaped retail marketing in 2018

Some stories — and trendlines — stuck out more than others, both because of their impact at the time and for what they say about other moves in the space.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 3, 2019

Dodge, Lego build online tie-up and limited-edition play sets

Created with GSD&M, an ad shows a Dodge Challenger model on a racetrack and a Lego version with the tagline, “With Dodge, racers come in all sizes.”

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

Facebook AR face filter lets viewers lip-sync with John Legend

Baobab Studios takes to the social platform to promote its animated VR short film “Crow: The Legend.”

By Robert Williams • Jan. 3, 2019

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter teams with Eva Longoria for short-form comedic videos

“Spread No Drama” is the first campaign since the brand developed a new creative ecosystem designed to raise awareness and drive actions.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

Spiked still water brand splashes into ‘Anything but Flat’ campaign

Launching Pura Still’s first campaign around the new year appears strategically timed for when people often make health-related resolutions.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

How Cars.com drives a 40% chat-to-lead conversion rate on Facebook

CMO Brooke Skinner-Ricketts — previously head of brand strategy at Twitter — discusses how social media is changing the way auto brands, consumers and local dealerships interact online.

By Jacqueline Renfrow • Jan. 3, 2019

Media spend vs. promotions: why 1 delivers a 35% performance lift

Rather than choose one tactic over the other, new research spanning 13 years pushes brands to find the right balance of each for optimal results.

By Shane Schick • Jan. 2, 2019

ESPN lets 4 college football superfans camp out on a billboard ahead of championship

Atop the 45-foot tall outdoor activation, participants are competing in games for prizes, some of which are being livestreamed.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 2, 2019

Ringing in your mobile marketing New Year’s resolutions

’Tis the season for stronger data, better ad experiences and preparing strategic road maps to make 2019 the year of the user, writes Fluent’s Mary Lister.

By Mary Lister • Dec. 27, 2018

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Take a look back at Marketing Dive’s top stories, which captured the biggest developments from executive departures to creative innovation that shaped the industry.

By Marketing Dive team • Dec. 21, 2018

Coke leads $15M investment round in Dirty Lemon parent Iris Nova

The company focuses on cashierless, text-to-pay consumer goods and has grown the popularity of its brands through platforms like Instagram.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 21, 2018

TikTok ties AR content sharing to charitable giving in celebrity-filled campaign

Nick Jonas, Nina Dobrev and others created mobile videos using new holiday-themed AR filters, and the platform wants others to do the same to help it donate $2 million.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 21, 2018

Nike execs see digital as ‘the majority’ of future business

E-commerce grew by 41% in Q2, and executives said that digitally focused store concepts and initiatives are paying off.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 21, 2018

Puma, Nike top list of most-mentioned brands on Instagram

Celebrities like Selena Gomez and Cristiano Ronaldo help to drive brand interactions on the image-sharing app.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 21, 2018

Campaign Trail: Burger King’s royal gift; Krispy Kreme takes a stand; nutty holiday sweaters

Ahead of the holidays, marketers fight for gingerbread peoples’ rights and offer goofy novelty gifts, including a $99 fire screen and snack-laden knitwear.

By Peter Adams , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • Dec. 21, 2018

The Players’ Tribune, Amazon Prime Video line up series focusing on NBA moms

The effort promotes Amazon Originals’ “Jack Ryan” and will premiere during the NBA’s Christmas Day games on both platforms.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 21, 2018

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, Amazon lead social media mentions for holiday gift shopping, study says

The singer’s beauty brand gift guide received the most engagements on Twitter in the lead-up to Christmas.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 20, 2018

Nissan drives interactivity at college football tailgates with biometric-powered pop-ups

Converted semi-trucks boasted games that used gesture recognition and skeletal tracking tech to place fans into a virtual sporting experience.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

Behr dips into relaxing ASMR videos of painting process

Soothing sounds of popping open a paint can, swirling the mix and peeling tape off wall edges aim to showcase Behr’s color selection and appeal to DIY-ers.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

NYT report suggests Facebook overstepped bounds of FTC consent decree

The social giant’s freewheeling approach to personal information let apps like Netflix and Spotify read users’ private messages, among other practices that could result in massive fines.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 19, 2018

Planters boosts ad awareness, purchase consideration ahead of the holidays, analysis finds

Nearly 40% of consumers said they would consider purchasing the Kraft Heinz brand as of Dec. 15.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 19, 2018