How the producer economy is changing influencer marketing

Brands that become content producers have more flexibility, including how they negotiate relationships with influencers.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 10, 2022

Walmart, NYX partner with Triller to boost Black creators

The social video app has pledged 50 million guaranteed views to Black creators this month in honor of Black History Month.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 10, 2022

'We're back': Humor, optimism make a big return in Super Bowl LVI ads

Celeb-studded campaigns and newcomer categories like cryptocurrency represent an eye on a future less bogged down by today's doom-and-gloom.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 10, 2022

Michelob Ultra's 'Superior Bowl' ad promotes gender equality in sports

Developed with Wieden + Kennedy, the Anheuser-Busch brand's big game spots were set in a fictional bowling alley that attracts a diverse cast of stars.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 8, 2022

How media conglomerates are plotting the future of measurement and identity

NBCUniversal's moves in advance of the Olympics and the Super Bowl hint at what's to come at the upfronts and beyond.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 8, 2022

Inside Folgers' plan to swap its fusty reputation for punk-rock rebelliousness

PSOne, the bespoke Publicis unit serving J.M. Smucker, is drawing out Folgers' unsung New Orleans roots and focusing on a craft story millennials care about.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 7, 2022

Innovid acquires TVSquared in quest to realize cross-platform measurement

Innovid has completed the deal, merging its ad serving footprint of more than 95 million connected homes with the measurement and attribution platform.

By Peter Adams • Updated March 3, 2022

Amazon reveals ad services revenue as segment hits $9.7B

While those figures still pale in comparison to digital rivals, the scales could continue to shift in Amazon's favor amid an explosion of retail media.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 4, 2022

Universal, Snap host virtual concert to promote J-Lo's 'Marry Me'

Snapchat users were able to see their Bitmoji in the crowd as film stars Jennifer Lopez and Maluma performed as avatars.

By Chris Kelly • Feb. 3, 2022

Facebook user growth stagnates while commerce bets see 'meaningful slowdown'

Few short-term solutions are apparent as Meta wrestles with Apple's privacy changes, while its hopes for a larger metaverse remain a long way off.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 3, 2022

Google's retail bets pay off during topsy-turvy holidays, ad revenue tops $61B

The tech giant is eyeing more shoppable opportunities in livestreaming, while its TikTok clone YouTube Shorts enters the "super early" testing phase. 

By Peter Adams • Feb. 2, 2022

Frito-Lay reimagines Salt-N-Pepa's 'Push It' in Super Bowl ad for Flamin' Hot brands

Megan Thee Stallion and Charlie Puth feature on the remix, while Frito-Lay asks fans to embrace their spicy side and rate other brands' big game spots.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 1, 2022

Folgers tunes in classic rock to try to perk up brand

In addition to replacing a widely recognized jingle with Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," the 170-year-old brand is also playing up its ties to New Orleans.

By Nina Lentini • Feb. 1, 2022

Publicis Media furthers DEI bets with multiyear content pact focused on streaming

A deal with Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment kicks off with a Crackle Plus program featuring custom integrations for The General.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2022

McDonald's enlists fashion designer for Lunar New Year celebration in metaverse

An interactive virtual space displays towering zodiac sculptures by Humberto Leon in the latest sign the chain is committed to exploring the tech frontier.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 31, 2022

Bush's Beans enlists TikTok, Reels creators for Can Film Festival

The brand is tapping into interest around user-generated content with a livestreamed event that riffs on the Cannes Film Festival.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 27, 2022

Dove highlights hair discrimination in latest purpose-driven effort

A short film comes on the heels of a reorganization of parent company Unilever that arrived amid mounting investor criticism about the marketer's priorities.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 27, 2022

NBCUniversal deepens TikTok ties around uncertain Winter Olympics

Brand partners will be able to pilot new ad experiences while the network will host livestreams with a creator from the app.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 24, 2022

Olympic athletes encounter dinosaurs in crossover spots for 'Jurassic World Dominion'

Using cinematic-style ads, Comcast brings together its NBC Sports and Universal Pictures divisions for an effort around a tentpole event.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 24, 2022

Acura's racing anime series aims to draw young premium drivers

"Chiaki's Journey" spans four episodes that appear on YouTube and partner platforms such as Crunchyroll, a dedicated anime streamer.  

By Peter Adams • Jan. 21, 2022

Pepsi gathers Super Bowl Halftime Show all-stars in cinematic trailer

A multiweek media push shows the brand throwing a spotlight on an impressive range of talent, including through tie-ins to its new mobile app.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 20, 2022

TV tops in video for reaching advertisers' goals, survey finds

Advertisers' opinions on the effectiveness of digital video ads have declined in the past year while TV, including CTV, has gained ground.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 19, 2022

Marriott seeks TikTok creators to drive content around loyalty program

Marriott Bonvoy TikTok Correspondents will creatively document everything they encounter on social media, reinforcing how essential travel can be.

By Nina Lentini • Jan. 18, 2022

Progressive inks esports naming rights deal in latest sign of category's maturation

Regular sponsored Twitch streams and a shared space with Immortals in Minecraft demonstrate how media tactics differ from traditional sports tie-ups.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 14, 2022

SmileDirectClub's strategy for TikTok blends tweaking TV ads and fresh content

The DTC brand of teeth aligners found that TikTok delivers the best results with a mix of programmatic ads and organic engagement.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 13, 2022