CarMax ditches longtime tagline, repositions brand around omnichannel

The “pivotal” brand shift includes ads featuring a comedic house band singing about how CarMax lets customers shop the way they “wanna.”  

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2025

White Castle sponsors NIL-focused podcast to engage football fans

The series hosted by sibling football standouts Caleb and Josh Downs will unpack viral trends and the intricacies of brand building.

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 25, 2025

Walmart’s booming ad business provides ‘flexibility’ amid tariff impact

Continued momentum for retail media offerings like Connect is helping drive profits and will remain “obviously key,” executives said.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 22, 2025

DoorDash boosts college football marketing with seasonal rewards, events

A digital spot from in-house studio Superette promotes DoorDash Streaks, a program that rewards app users who order on Saturdays.

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 21, 2025

Gap dances with Katseye to ‘Milkshake’ for denim-focused fall campaign

“Better in Denim” nods to the early aughts and return of low-rise denim and will span social media, in-store, influencer partnerships and more. 

By Jessica Hammers • Updated Aug. 19, 2025

Streaming continues ad revenue gain on linear TV, study says

Advertisers continued to shift their dollars from linear TV to streaming during this year’s upfront ad-buying season, per a new report from Media Dynamics.

By Aaron Baar • Aug. 18, 2025

Reese’s responds to Taylor Swift album news with advertising agility

The brand created an ad referencing the pop star’s new “Orange Era” in under a day and has quickly racked up millions of views on YouTube.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 15, 2025

Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear plots art heist in mascot’s first animated film

Developed internally, the James Bond-inspired short underscores how Ralph Lauren is looking to further stretch the equity of one of its signature assets.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 13, 2025

Patrón takes a shot on dance music culture with Boiler Room partnership

The cultural play allows the Bacardi brand to connect with underground music fans around the world as it looks to boost its premium bottling.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 13, 2025

How to win back-to-school marketing as American Eagle’s big bet blows up

Though spending forecasts are bleak, value-focused messaging and smart social media plays could help brands transcend the turbulence. 

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 12, 2025

Dick’s Sporting Goods grows bets on sports content with in-house studio

Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios follows the retailer’s Emmy-winning documentary work and arrives as others invest in original programming.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 11, 2025

E.l.f. argues against overpriced cosmetics with legal-themed campaign

“E.l.f.ino & schmarnes” features comedian Matt Rife and drag icon Heidi N Closet as a satirical legal duo and will include a New York City pop-up event.

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 11, 2025

What Disney’s NFL, WWE deals mean for the future of streaming ads

With streaming now representing more than 40% of its total upfront volume, the entertainment giant is looking to gird itself as linear TV declines.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 7, 2025

Columbia slams ‘pristine’ outdoors marketing with new brand platform

Looking to cut through category sameness, “Engineered for Whatever” leverages dark humor and grit to show how Columbia’s gear is tested.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 4, 2025

Amazon’s ad business stays strong as CTV, DSP offerings improve

The tech giant grew its ad revenue by 22% as it continues to improve its full-funnel offerings, but tariffs and recessionary fears loom. 

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 1, 2025

Doritos parodies retro adult films to promote new spicy chip flavor

Walton Goggins stars as a clueless plumber in innuendo-laced content that supports Doritos Golden Sriracha, the brand’s potential next “mega-flavor.”

By Peter Adams • July 30, 2025

WPP Media, Criteo partner to bring more performance to CTV advertising

Activating shopper audiences is the goal of a pact wedding Criteo’s commerce media data with WPP Media’s large marketing model solution.

By Peter Adams • July 29, 2025

Sociable: Inside YouTube’s new generative AI features for Shorts

Among the latest additions is image-to-video animation, which can turn your photos into animated elements.

By Andrew Hutchinson • July 24, 2025

3 stats from Google’s Q2 show how it is weathering advertising turmoil

Over 2 million advertisers are now using Google’s generative AI tools to run ads — up 50% — while consumers continue to flock to YouTube for sports.

By Peter Adams • July 24, 2025

Velveeta says ‘Respect the Drip’ for first major campaign in 2 years

The Kraft Heinz brand is shifting away from its long-running “La Dolce Velveeta” platform in favor of bolder creative and a culture-first mindset.

By Jessica Hammers • July 24, 2025

Cheetos receives a hand from Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ in mischievous new ads

Thing, a skittering appendage known for causing chaos, is taking on the mascot role usually held by Chester Cheetah for a limited time. 

By Peter Adams • July 22, 2025

Over half of ad buyers are using generative AI for video creation: IAB

Small and midsize brands are more likely to use generative artificial intelligence for video while only 36% of large brands plan to do the same.

By Sara Karlovitch • July 18, 2025

Don’t hold the pickles: Sonic’s CMO on going all-in on dining trend

CMO Ryan Dickerson discusses a Grillo’s partnership and ad shoot that involved over 2,000 real pickles as briny snacks win Gen Z’s favor.

By Peter Adams • July 17, 2025

Olipop’s new ads show how the brand is winning people back to soda

Stars like Kristin Chenoweth and Joshua Jackson share their nostalgia for soda and love of Olipop in a campaign inspired by “Got Milk?” ads.

By Peter Adams • July 15, 2025

Why JanSport revived its cringeworthy back-to-school ads to reach Gen Z

The backpack maker’s TikTok-focused effort returns for a second year after an initial run led to the brand’s highest grossing sales day in history.

By Jessica Hammers • July 15, 2025