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

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 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

Unilever’s top marketer to depart amid structural shakeup at CPG giant

Esi Eggleson Bracey will leave at the end of January as Leandro Barreto, current CMO of beauty and wellbeing, sees his remit expanded.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 18, 2025

Meta streamlines brands’ creator partnerships with AI-powered updates

New solutions are designed to help advertisers easily find and turn existing organic content on Facebook and Instagram into partnership ads.

By Jessica Hammers • Dec. 11, 2025

Home Depot builds bridge to influencers with creator portal

To attract further attention to the offering, the home improvement retailer is touting a roster of creators tied to the World Cup.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 11, 2025

How Sprouts cultivated an organic appearance in Apple TV hit ‘Pluribus’

CMO Alisa Gmelich explains how the cameo came about and details other ways the grocer taps into culture, including through women’s sports.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 10, 2025

P&G’s Native to debut 50-part microdrama series as genre takes off

P&G is aligning the adventure-romance, which will debut on social platforms in early 2026, with a history of marketing innovation around soap operas. 

By Peter Adams • Dec. 10, 2025

Q-tips kickstarts bigger marketing push with nearly 6-foot cotton swabs

An unhinged infomercial and collaborations with Doritos and Goodyear support the launch of Quge-tips and a revamped marketing strategy.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 10, 2025

How the best marketing campaigns of 2025 navigated uncertain times

The savviest marketers cut through chaos with strategies and tactics that portend where advertising could head next year.

By Chris Kelly , Jessica Hammers , Peter Adams , Sara Karlovitch • Dec. 9, 2025

How Hershey remade its iconic holiday ad as an interactive experience

The snack company modernized its 1989 “Holiday Bells” creative by bringing it to life in Rockefeller Center and on digital platforms.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 5, 2025

Skims ventures into live entertainment with shoppable TikTok livestream

The apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian sought to draw inspiration from classic holiday variety shows for a 45-minute shopping experience.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 4, 2025

Glad teams with Oscar the Grouch to revive ‘Don’t Get Mad. Get Glad.’

The Clorox-owned brand partnered with the iconic “Sesame Street” character to reimagine his song, “I Love Trash,” and for a social media giveaway.

By Jessica Hammers • Dec. 4, 2025

PepsiCo’s Mug brand finds Gen Z sweet spot: Fragrance, dogs and TikTok

The quickly growing brand leans into its recent social media successes by launching Daddy’s Home cologne on TikTok Shop.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 3, 2025

Columbia challenges flat-earthers as part of bolder marketing revamp

In an open letter and social videos, CEO Tim Boyle tasks conspiracy theorists with proving their beliefs for a chance at winning the company’s assets.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 2, 2025

Boss, Lancôme open virtual boutiques with Snapchat’s shoppable AR

Chopard and other luxury brands are featured in the Snapchat Winter Village, a digital activation meant to mimic the in-person shopping experience.

By Jessica Hammers • Dec. 2, 2025

Burger King’s CMO on how a ‘SpongeBob’ collab cuts across generations

The partnership spans new ads, a special menu, toys, packaging, an app takeover, experiential activations and more.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 1, 2025