Comic Dive: Brand the Halls

It's beginning to look a lot like branded merchandise season as major QSRs and CPGs get in on the holiday spirit.

By John Hazard • Dec. 13, 2019

Disney accused of telling influencers to avoid 'Frozen 2' ad disclosures

Japanese artists who promoted the movie on Twitter said they were told to not disclose that the company paid them to endorse it.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 13, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail Marketing

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

By Marketing Dive staff

Bumble taps Tiffany Haddish for first date play-by-play

In a video by ESPN CreativeWorks, the actress teams with L.A. Clippers player Montrezl Harrell for a funny look at two dates arranged on the women-first app.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 13, 2019

Instagram influencer marketing activity jumps 48%, study finds

The number of Instagram Stories posts per influencer rose 20% this year, pointing to the format's growing popularity. 

By Robert Williams • Dec. 12, 2019

'Star Wars' is Messenger's 1st branded chat theme

Users can decorate messages with digital content inspired by the latest installment of the franchise, including AR effects, emoji, stickers and more.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 12, 2019

Popeyes rides chicken sandwich buzz with ugly sweater

Deli brand Dietz & Watson is also getting into novelty holiday merchandise with prosciutto-themed shirts, stretchy "eatin' pants" and stockings full of nuts.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 12, 2019

'Rick and Morty' warps to Super Bowl with Pringles spot, product tie-in

A 30-second ad for the Kellogg brand is being developed with the series' creators, and an integrated campaign will run through 2020.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 11, 2019

Instagram Stories see 70% surge in ad spend

Ads in the booming format made up 10% of total media spending on Facebook-owned apps in Q3.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 11, 2019

SodaStream parodies ASMR videos with Jonathan Van Ness

Timed for the holidays, the video promises to help viewers relax during a stressful time of year.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 11, 2019

Vistaprint holiday campaign blends influencers, YouTube Shopping Shelf

A scrolling tool appears beneath videos so viewers can directly buy Vistaprint's envelopes, seals and mailing labels.​

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 10, 2019

Pinterest debuts Trends tool to help track top searches

The social media company foresees 2020 trends in rewilding, dog halos, Granny pods, agritourism and rockhounding.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2019

Chipotle gives away burritos on Instagram

The QSR chain is offering free burritos to the first people who respond by text message to its short-lived Instagram posts.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2019

Walgreens and Neil Patrick Harris offer holiday advice in social content

The drugstore chain enlisted Harris and his husband, chef David Burtka, for videos, photos and tips on coping with holiday stress.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2019

TikTok's top 100 viral videos of 2019 showcase diversity of its content

A year-end campaign across social media highlights well-established creators as well as relative newcomers who have moved up the platform's ranks.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 10, 2019

Smirnoff dreams up fake home goods partnership for gag gift

Riffing on the "Icing" drinking game, the brand is spicing up holiday gift swaps by disguising what appears to be a boring gift but is actually a bottle of malt beverage.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 10, 2019

Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin pokes fun at Peloton ad fail in new spot

The marketer moved quickly to capitalize on the exercise bike brand's misfire with its own ad starring the same actress gaining millions of views on social.

By Dianna Christie • Dec. 9, 2019

Snapchat 'deepfake-style' tool Cameo adds selfies to shareable videos

Still in testing, Cameo replaces the faces of people in videos with personal headshots.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 9, 2019

YouCam's holiday contest showcases updated photo-editing tools

The app's holiday photo challenge urges users to create and share photos for a chance to win a free subscription for a year.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 9, 2019

'Star Wars' footage will debut as 'Fortnite' in-game exclusive

The "Risky Reels" section of a game map will showcase a preview of the blockbuster on Dec. 14.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 9, 2019

Marketer of the Year: Burger King

The fast food giant drummed up loyalty by dunking on rivals, wedging into timely pop culture moments and driving app downloads through smartphone-centric campaigns.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 9, 2019

The Mobile Marketer Awards for 2019

From Burger King to TikTok, these are the companies and executives that shaped the mobile marketing industry this year.

Dec. 9, 2019

Technology of the Year: Checkout on Instagram

Though just nine months old, Checkout appears to have set the stage for a slew of commerce-related features within the app and beyond.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 9, 2019

Disruptor of the Year: TikTok

The Chinese-owned social video app has been a hit with marketers thanks to its rapid growth, youthful user base and knack for virality.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 9, 2019

Campaign of the Year: Taco Bell's 'The Bell'

Reservations at the refurbished resort sold out in two minutes, solidifying the chain's cult-like status among ardent fans and its expertise in catering experiences to devotees.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 9, 2019

Will personalization's role in marketing shrink as challenges grow?

Gartner predicts 80% of marketers will drop personalization in five years while the ANA named "personalization" its marketing word of the year, highlighting the tactic's appeal and challenges.

By Barry Levine • Dec. 6, 2019