Brand Strategy
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Consumers say rewards matter, but many aren’t actually using them
In the crowded loyalty landscape, a successful program goes beyond growing enrollment to actually influencing customers’ shopping behavior.
By Bryan Wassel • July 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Neutrogena
Neutrogena puts science above virality with ‘Break the Rules’ campaign
The Kenvue brand is using similar tactics to competitors CeraVe and Dove in an effort that spans TV, social, creators and experiential.
By Chris Kelly • July 15, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineAI and Marketing Data
Top stories that underscore the key role of artificial intelligence, generative and otherwise, for many CMOs looking to better manage troves of data.
By Marketing Dive staff -
Courtesy of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut serves up nostalgia with latest rewards program push
The latest iteration of “Hut Originals” includes a value menu, a streetwear collection inspired by the brand’s classic uniforms and a mobile experience.
By Sara Karlovitch • July 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dollar Shave Club
How Dollar Shave Club uses generative AI to unlock advertising creativity
Chief Brand and Innovation Officer Laura Higgins explains how the grooming brand is evolving its use of AI in marketing to reassert its brand voice.
By Chris Kelly • July 14, 2026 -
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M+C Saatchi NA launches entertainment arm as branded content booms
Jen Bacchus, a former WME executive, is leading the specialized offering that aims to help clients drive deeper cultural relevance.
By Peter Adams • July 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Rockstar Energy
Rockstar Energy’s CMO on turning latent brand value into market share
The brand is activating around sports and music to connect with consumers who prefer traditional energy drinks to sister beverages Celsius and Alani Nu.
By Chris Kelly • July 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Farmers Insurance
Why Farmers Insurance flipped its jingle as part of all-pink rebrand
The effort is intended to help the brand stand out amid a “sea of sameness” in the insurance category, said Eleanor Solomon, head of creative at the brand.
By Chris Kelly • July 13, 2026 -
Retrieved from Colleen E Hayes/Netflix © 2026 on July 09, 2026
Mike’s Hard, Genesis take creative swings with custom Netflix campaigns
A pair of efforts for the upcoming Will Ferrell vehicle “The Hawk” show how the streamer is focusing on more bespoke brand partnerships.
By Peter Adams • July 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of Aeropostale
How Aéropostale entertains Gen Alpha with a creator-led mini-series
Marisa Thalberg, chief customer and marketing officer at parent Catalyst Brands, opens up about the “Intern Diaries” and a loyalty tie-up with JCPenney.
By Chris Kelly • July 9, 2026 -
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OpinionWhy unpaid media is now essential to AI visibility
Earned media and community discussion generate the authority signals that determine whether a brand gets recommended by AI, writes Abigail Niziankiewicz of Mediassociates.
By Abigail Niziankiewicz • July 9, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle drives rewards program with ‘PGA Tour 2K25’ integration
The partnership is part of a larger golf strategy by the brand, which became an official sponsor of PGA Tour through a multiyear deal announced in January.
By Sara Karlovitch • Updated July 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Doritos
How Doritos gets global, year-round scale with Formula 1 partnership
The PepsiCo brand’s focus on home-based viewers comes to life in “The Crunch Prix,” a campaign created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
By Chris Kelly • July 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Expedia
Deep DiveThe best brand campaigns of H1 2026 sold honesty. Are consumers buying?
As fake news, fake feeds and fake AI proliferate, Coca-Cola, Dove, Anthropic and other brands tried to leave a real mark in the first half.
By Chris Kelly • July 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Marc Jacobs
Deep DiveBrands see content gold in microdramas. Will they muck up the moment?
Opinions are split on whether brands are serious about the saucy short-form genre, but experts shared ways to dip a toe in the water.
By Peter Adams • July 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of State Farm
State Farm enlists IShowSpeed to keep season five of gaming series fresh
Reality-competition series “Gamerhood” will integrate Flowcode technology that uses QR codes to connect the brand with consumers.
By Chris Kelly • July 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Unilever
Why Febreze is taking on soccer stink via podcasts, experiences
The P&G brand’s “Can’t Wash This” campaign comes as World Cup fever gives way to the beginning of the MLS season.
By Chris Kelly • July 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Conair
Why Conair is moving fast to adopt AI-driven video ads
An A/B test of Amazon’s AI video tool reduced production time by months for a Cuisinart video, but humans were still needed to complete the project.
By Danielle McLean • July 6, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mike's Hot Honey
Mike’s Hot Honey spurs experimentation with soccer-infused campaign
The multichannel marketing push is an extension of the “Drizzle The Mike’s” platform, which seeks to place the brand at culturally relevant moments.
By Sara Karlovitch • July 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Bero
Q&AHow Tom Holland’s nonalcoholic Bero breaks through with brand partners
Co-founded by the Spider-Man star, the beer brand has used partnerships with Chase and fitness chain Barry’s to charge its marketing efforts.
By Chris Kelly • July 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of John Deere
How John Deere steeps its brand story in its American heritage
Founded in 1837, the agriculture machinery company has partnered with MLB and been active on TikTok to connect with new generations of consumers.
By Chris Kelly • July 1, 2026 -
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OpinionPatriotism is no longer a campaign — it’s a branding strategy
Consumers define patriotic brands through a wider lens than marketers, writes Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys.
By Robert Passikoff • June 30, 2026 -
Permission granted by Peter Adams/Marketing Dive
A cure for Cannes Lions FOMO: What marketers might have missed
From OpenAI laying out its ads plan to Expedia’s creator-driven strategy, Marketing Dive has packaged together noteworthy coverage from the festival.
By Peter Adams • June 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of Ulta Beauty
Q&AUlta’s CMO on blending brand building and omnichannel marketing
Kelly Mahoney digs into how the beauty retailer is driving growth with a playbook that spans cultural partnerships, TikTok Shop, retail media and more.
By Chris Kelly • June 30, 2026 -
Courtesy of E.l.f.
E.l.f. taps into soccer fandom with NWSL, World Cup activations
The marketer will have a presence at FootballCo’s House of Goal, a cultural soccer fan fest in New York, helping it engage with the sport’s broad fandom.
By Sara Karlovitch • June 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Blue Chip agency
How challenger brands can stand out with fewer marketing swings
Dan Eisenberg, CMO at Chicago-based agency Blue Chip, discusses how brands such as Emerald Nuts compete against corporate giants.
By Danielle McLean • Updated June 29, 2026
