Volvo revs up Super Bowl 'anti-commercial' with mobile contest

The carmaker is counter-programming against the big game with a contest to see who can focus on an image of a new sedan the longest.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 24, 2019

Kantar: US ad spend reached $151B in 2018, a 4.1% jump

Procter & Gamble remained the top advertiser in 2018 while Amazon increased its ad spend by 72.5%.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 24, 2019

Bloomberg: CBS shoots down Super Bowl spot calling for medical marijuana legalization

Acreage Holdings positioned the ad as a political call to action rather than being purely self-promotional, but it still was passed on by the network.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 23, 2019

Almost half of Amazon advertisers spend more than $40k per month, study finds

Fifty-seven percent of brands that sell on Amazon are advertising on the site, with most focused on attracting new customers. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2019

Sony boosts 'Escape Room' with playable 360-degree banner ads

The mobile ads "significantly" outperformed control creative, according to OmniVirt, which developed the campaign.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 23, 2019

Football fans less likely to use apps during Super Bowl, study finds

Just 14% of fans will use social media during the big game, compared to 39% of general consumers, AdColony said.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 23, 2019

Netflix has strongest consumer buzz among brands in annual ranking

Strong performance of Netflix and Amazon Prime on YouGov's Buzz ranking suggests that they are the go-to streaming services in an increasingly competitive space.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2019

Devour's 'uncensored' food porn spot drops ahead of Super Bowl

Along with the in-game cut, the Kraft Heinz brand will host a "seductive" hotline, an activation with Barstool Sports and a sweepstakes.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2019

Lowe's inks multi-year NFL partnership as it kicks off refresh campaign

The retailer signs on as the first official home improvement retail sponsor of the league in a decade as it pushes new creative work and a tagline.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 22, 2019

Mobile users show greatest ad awareness while watching TV

Millennials are the most receptive audience to seeing ads while shopping, according to a survey by mobile marketing firm Aki.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2019

Ashley Furniture surpasses CTR benchmarks by 2x with AR ads

Shoppers can use a smartphone or tablet to place 3D versions of products in their homes while using Yahoo Mail.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2019

Balmain launches new mobile app with AR, VR features

The fashion retailer rolled out a new mobile app with augmented reality, event livestreaming and other content.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

Comic Dive: Taste the Rainbow on Broadway

For the second straight year, Skittles drums up excitement around the Super Bowl without buying an expensive TV ad during the game.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Jan. 22, 2019

Facebook tests teen-focused video meme feed

"LOL" displays carousels of video clips that are algorithmically curated based on a user's tastes.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2019

Oreo snacks on AR with Snapchat lenses, digital stickers

Mobile users can scan Snapcodes on special packaging to unlock cookie-themed content.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2019

Kia shifts celebrity budget to scholarship fund in Super Bowl ad teaser

"The Great Unknowns Scholarship" will help young people in need access higher education for the automaker's tenth straight appearance in the big game.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 22, 2019

TechCrunch: Lyft wants to bring AR/VR to ride-hailing passengers

Two patent applications detail a "virtual reality transportation experience" that would entertain riders and expedite pickups and drop-offs.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 18, 2019

Pringles returns to Super Bowl with smart speaker spot, on-demand delivery

Fans from the final two teams' cities will be able to tweet for a chance to win a free "Flavor Stack" delivery via the platform Fooji.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 18, 2019

PepsiCo zeroes in on music theme with star-studded Bubly, Doritos Super Bowl teases

Michael Bublé gets confused by the fledgling sparkling water brand, while Chance the Rapper and the Backstreet Boys help to intro a new chip variety. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 18, 2019

McCafé at Home, TGI Fridays offer radically different solutions to New Year's resolutions

One brand promotes a positive, more relaxing way to achieve goals rather than ditching them, while another says "TGIF*IT."

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 18, 2019

Verizon goes long with far-reaching Super Bowl marketing play

CCO Andrew McKechnie talked to Marketing Dive about building a "media wave," including through a 30-minute documentary, for the brand's emotional campaign around NFL stars who were saved by first responders.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 18, 2019

Gillette's #MeToo-inspired ad sparked social media outcry — here's what the numbers say

While the campaign has proved divisive, an analysis found that 79.6% of viewers liked the ad shortly after it debuted, and 51.4% believed it could bring change to the industry.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 17, 2019

Only 14% of consumers influenced by in-store VR/AI tech

A study by Oracle NetSuite uncovered a disconnect between retail technology and shopper needs.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Niantic secures $245M in funding while some AR peers struggle

The creator of "Pokemon Go" and an upcoming Harry Potter mobile game is receiving Series C financing from backers like IVP and Samsung Ventures.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 16, 2019

Cole Haan delivers style advice on Forbes with influencer video series

"Changemakers" is an episodic mobile- and social-first series that shows how the fashion brand fits into millennials' lifestyles.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 16, 2019