Comic Dive: Personas Non Gratas

Unilever recently announced its plans to push back against the growing trend for brands to buy fake followers and bots.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • July 3, 2018

Adidas goes offline for influencer campaign

The sportswear brand targeted popular influencers by personalizing billboards and the sides of buildings in New York and Los Angeles.

By Daphne Howland • July 2, 2018

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Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including Gen Z, pop culture and generative AI.

By Marketing Dive staff

11 marketing campaigns that made a splash in Q2 2018

From flying pizzas cross-country to producing 30,000 videos in a day, there was no shortage of campaign wins — and fails — this spring.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) , Sean Gibbons • July 2, 2018

Walmart, P&G see their ads pulled under Facebook's new political labeling policy

P&G's ad mentioned LGBTQ pride and its "commitment to inclusion," while Facebook later reversed its decision on Walmart's ad for "bringing jobs back" to America.

By Erica Sweeney • July 2, 2018

Facebook, Twitter ramp up ad transparency efforts

The social giants seek to make political ads more open to user scrutiny, but Facebook's new system is causing delays and frustrations in posting content.

By Robert Williams • June 29, 2018

White Castle hypes Chicken Rings with Facebook Live home shopping show

Hosts of the QVC-like parody responded to comments in real time and asked users to react to offerings like "artisan-crafted" Chicken Ring earrings.

By Erica Sweeney • June 29, 2018

Subway deploys 'subliminal messaging,' short-form ads for 3-day marketing blitz

A multichannel campaign included images of large subs projected in strange places and ads with the tagline "Feed your subconscious."

By Erica Sweeney • June 28, 2018

Taco Bell heralds return of Nacho Fries with blockbuster 'Demolition Man' tie-up

The chain celebrates the cult movie's 25th anniversary with a sequel to its Web of Fries promo and a "futuristic and upscale" pop-up dining experience. 

By Peter Adams • June 28, 2018

Burger King and Budweiser resurrect 'Whassup,' but with a royal twist

The two teased the collaboration in a Twitter exchange recreating dialogue from the iconic spot earlier this week. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 28, 2018

Jif scoops Neil Patrick Harris for Facebook Live comedy show

The actor is promoting the new Jif Power Ups snacks by re-enacting real-life parenting moments.

By Erica Sweeney • June 27, 2018

3 ways marketers can tap into micro-movements

Smart brands are forgoing massive CSR campaigns for simpler, nimbler bursts of brand advocacy. MMC's Ted Sabarese offers tips on how to do it right.

By Ted Sabarese • June 27, 2018

Skittles encourages consumers to #GIVEaDAM about beavers for Canada's birthday

On July 1, the brand will livestream a man dressed as a beaver in the woods and donate to an environmental organization for each view. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 27, 2018

Dove introduces 'No Digital Distortion Mark' for unaltered photos of women

By 2019, the brand plans to incorporate the label into all of its static imagery depicting women across print, digital and social media channels. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 27, 2018

Exclusive: Courtyard by Marriott takes NFL fans behind the scenes with digital docu-series

"Courtyard: Unstoppable" launches today on Facebook Watch, with each episode following a changemaker as they pursue their football passions. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 26, 2018

Razor brand Billie opens discussions about women's body hair with crowd-sourced initiative

The direct-to-consumer marketer is asking followers to upload images that show positive depictions of women with body hair to its website. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 26, 2018

Comic Dive: The Hack-King

Burger King's latest marketing moves hack into pop culture to take over the conversation.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • June 26, 2018

Smirnoff Ice will pay 100 people to take a 5-day weekend for the Fourth of July

Since the holiday falls on a Wednesday this year, the brand is giving followers the opportunity for some extra time off. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 26, 2018

Coke's Peace Tea brand encourages 'randomer' acts of kindness through influencer campaign

The beverage marketer will donate to RandomActs.org for every like, share or comment on posts by its influencer team. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 26, 2018

Nordstrom taps 4 fashion-savvy comedians for anniversary sale campaign

The effort includes talent like "2 Dope Queens" co-host Phoebe Robinson, who will promote the retailer's "Show Us How You #NSale" social sweepstakes. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 26, 2018

YouTube expands merchandising, membership options amid creator frustrations

Several tools announced at VidCon open new monetization channels and could be a bid to win back favor with video influencers.  

By Erica Sweeney • June 25, 2018

In Cannes, data's uneasy merger with creativity was on display

At the world's largest celebration of advertising creativity, data's growing role had a mixed reception.

By Chantal Tode • June 25, 2018

Campaign Trail: Burger King Russia's World Cup disaster; Snickers' apology tour; McDonald's debuts the 'Frylus'

Two brands are saying sorry, albeit for very different reasons, while another marketer goes for a repeat with oddball novelty products in this week's picks. 

By Peter Adams , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • June 22, 2018

Arby's broke records for the world's largest and smallest ads to promote its switch to Coke

A nearly five-acre ad in Monowi, Nebraska — the smallest town in the U.S. — and a message printed on a sesame seed are now recognized by Guinness World Records. 

By Erica Sweeney • June 22, 2018

Snapchat's new docu-series lets viewers insert themselves into scenes via AR

The 12-part "Endless Summer," which debuts in September, has several interactive features and stars the YouTube creator Summer Mckeen.

By Erica Sweeney • June 21, 2018

Kraft Heinz SVP Michelle St. Jacques on creating noise that furthers a brand

In an interview at Cannes Lions, the head of brand and R&D talked about recent successes like Country Time Legal-Ade and the importance of "really strong listening."

By Chantal Tode • June 21, 2018