How Gen Z is reshaping holiday marketing — and what brands can do about it

The cohort’s reliance on social media and influencers for product discovery remains, while new levels of comfort with retail media and AI take shape.

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 19, 2025

Johnnie Walker updates ‘Keep Walking’ to focus on individual pursuits

The long-running brand platform, which in recent years has focused on post-pandemic social connection, is being retooled to emphasize self-expression.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 18, 2025

Chobani drives CTV ad outcomes via Albertsons, NBCU data collaboration

Albertsons Media Collective and NBCUniversal are working to provide closed-loop measurement that bridges connected TV ads and retail performance.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 18, 2025

PubMatic touts AI’s role in stronger-than-expected Q3 earnings

In general, ad-tech firms delivered revenue gains in Q3 and are benefiting from how AI can support more unified marketing campaigns.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 17, 2025

Will Amazon’s AI-powered one-stop shop for advertising change the game?

At its UnBoxed conference, Amazon showcased new tools it claims provide unprecedented flexibility in buying and intelligence for advertisers.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 17, 2025

How Walmart is deploying the Grinch to boost holiday marketing

The Dr. Seuss icon, played by Walton Goggins, appears in new ads and a Times Square takeover showcasing deals on products like the Switch 2. 

By Peter Adams • Nov. 17, 2025

Pizza Hut dishes out holiday value in multichannel campaign

The pizza chain supports its value-oriented holiday messaging with comedic ads, in-person events and digital games. 

By Sara Karlovitch • Nov. 13, 2025

Instacart’s animated holiday ads aim to ease pressure amid seasonal chaos

Spots that take a page from Rankin/Bass stop-motion classics were created with Starburns Industries, RadicalMedia and internal shop Local Produce.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 13, 2025

Why marketers like Unilever, State Farm are headed to NBCU’s BravoCon

Bravo’s fan convention for its reality shows led to double-digit lifts in brand recall, purchase intent and emotional engagement for participants in 2023.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 13, 2025

Home Depot’s heartfelt holiday ads showcase Christmas tree farmers

“The Right Tree” tells the story of how the home improvement retailer helps families find their perfect tree and is accompanied by a series of social videos.

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 10, 2025

Starbucks’ animated holiday ads aim to reclaim cozy coffeehouse image

“Drawn Together” tells the story of two animated figures as they journey across holiday cups to reunite and is set to the tune of “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).”  

By Peter Adams • Nov. 6, 2025

Gap extends ‘Give Your Gift’ holiday campaign to promote hope, unity

An emotional spot set to a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” was handled by the same creative duo behind Gap’s record-breaking “Better in Denim” ad.

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 4, 2025

Gatorade flips iconic ‘80s campaign upside down for ‘Stranger Things’

The PepsiCo brand is reworking 1987’s “No Ordinary Thirst Quencher” and its retro Citrus Cooler flavor to fit the show’s themes and setting.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 3, 2025

IAB maps best practices for performance-driven CTV ads

Without a way to show measurable ROI, connected TV could face reduced demand as performance-driven channels like search and social capture spend. 

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 3, 2025

Best Buy bets on sports, creators to serve up holiday gifting inspiration

The tech retailer will feature creators in its CTV ads for the first time and will advertise during 30 different NFL games throughout the season. 

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 3, 2025

Google’s full-stack AI approach drives Q3 search, YouTube ad revenue gains

Parent company Alphabet delivered its first $100 billion quarter, with AI supporting ad relevancy, performance and automation.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 30, 2025

Target brings back ‘Hot Santa,’ adds new characters to holiday push

Americans are prioritizing small moments of joy to combat a tough economic climate, according to internal research that informed Target’s holiday push.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 30, 2025

How Welch’s new kid mascot bridges nostalgia with modern marketing

Charlie Cheersman, the first kid to anchor the brand’s creative in 25 years, debuts as the CPG shakes up its marketing strategy and leadership.

By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 28, 2025

Walmart balances whimsy with value in Dr. Seuss-inspired holiday ads

Spots taking place in a town called WhoKnewVille reinforce a messaging platform that challenges consumer perceptions around the retailer’s image.

By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 28, 2025

Top takeaways from Advertising Week 2025 marketers need to know

Leading marketers like PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz delved into topics including culture-led marketing and artificial intelligence at the annual conference.

By Chris Kelly , Peter Adams , Jessica Hammers , Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 23, 2025

True Religion targets women, college sports fans in holiday campaign

The brand doubles down on the growing intersection of fashion and sports in its first holiday campaign since being acquired earlier this year.

By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 23, 2025

Netflix’s ad biz accelerates — what’s next as AI, M&A opportunities loom

The streaming platform had its best ad sales quarter to date, doubled upfront commitments and is on track to more than double its ad revenue in 2025.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 22, 2025

E.l.f. Cosmetics first to test Twitch’s new livestream shopping ads

A new integration powered by Amazon Ads’ retail media data is meant to drive “more measurable business outcomes” for E.l.f. on the platform. 

By Peter Adams • Oct. 16, 2025

Sonoco’s inaugural TV ads put a lens on packaging’s everyday moments

Return on investment has been stronger than expected as the B2B firm turns to connected TV, said a company marketing director.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 16, 2025

Herbal Essences taps into infomercial nostalgia to serve ‘scent traps’

The P&G hair care brand enlists “Love Island” star Amaya Espinal to celebrate the power of scent in digital and out-of-home ads.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 15, 2025