Brand Strategy
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Courtesy of Super League
Why Panda Express is embracing an ‘always-on’ gaming strategy
The brand is adopting a more permanent strategy when it comes to gaming, including the release of its Roblox game as a persistent virtual destination.
By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 5, 2026 -
Permission granted by BFA, Deonté Lee
Q&AHow Poppi keeps its cultural marketing fizz without over-relying on data
Partnerships ranging from the Dallas Cowboys to New York Fashion Week designers are largely driven by gut instinct, Head of Culture Sophia Sesto says.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 5, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
TrendlineMultichannel Optimization
There’s greater urgency around the need to optimize multichannel marketing efforts and unite channels including streaming TV, social media and others.
By Marketing Dive staff -
Courtesy of Papa Johns
Papa Johns’ CMO on how the brand is reasserting itself as delivery evolves
Newly appointed Global CMO Chris Lyn-Sue digs into the chain’s Walmart Express Delivery partnership and his plans for the rest of the year.
By Chris Kelly • Oct. 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of The Hershey Company
Reese’s searches for ‘trick-or-treatiest street’ in multichannel effort
The Hershey brand is teaming with creators and celebrities for a social content series analyzing 150 of the best streets for Halloween festivities.
By Jessica Hammers • Oct. 1, 2026 -
Permission granted by Shutterstock
Inside Advertising Week’s changes — and a bid for $100M in creator deals
The show, which starts Monday, is doubling down on topics like creators to differentiate in a crowded events calendar and court more decision-makers.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Thorne
How Thorne built a brand platform ahead of $3.8B P&G deal — and what’s next
Chief Growth Officer Mary Beech details how work with brand consultancy Redscout turned consumer insights into campaigns and a communication style.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 29, 2026 -
Courtesy of Twisted Tea
Twisted Tea dons camo for collab campaign as brand faces headwinds
The fall-focused effort, which arrives as a new CMO prepares to join parent company Boston Beer, will feature social content and creator activations.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 28, 2026 -
Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
Dave & Buster’s shakes up agencies amid bid to rebuild brand relevance
Gut and Mediaplus are joining the chain’s roster to develop more distinctive marketing and better connect national scale to local activities.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of E.l.f. Cosmetics
E.l.f. jams to second music album under entertainment marketing arm
“Mirror Mix” features seven rising artists and will be promoted through a partnership with lyrics platform Genius around its Open Mic content series.
By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Subway
Q&ASubway’s CMO on finding room to grow between competitors in QSR
“The challenges are real, which is why we're taking such a big swing now,” Jeff Klein said of the chain’s new brand platform from Martin.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Jeep
How Jeep is charting a new course for its marketing
Created by Highdive, “This Is Jeep Country” celebrates the brand’s American heritage, while multicultural extensions speak to a fragmented landscape.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Tecovas
How Tecovas uses music for its Western-focused marketing
The clothing brand hopes to communicate an authentic message by linking with rising artists including country band Chaparelle for its fall denim campaign.
By Danielle McLean • Sept. 24, 2026 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Inside McDonald’s new marketing model as it enters media network fray
At its first investor day since 2023, the fast-food giant announced it is piloting a media network with the goal of building a $1 billion ad business.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Courtesy of Target
Target’s new campaign puts design legacy at center of marketing
The effort will extend to creator partnerships and experiential activations and arrives as the retailer’s turnaround efforts begin to show results.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chili's Grill & Bar
How Chili’s marketing works — and why Mexican QSRs are its next target
Since 2024, the chain has rolled out advertising efforts that turned social media chatter about the high cost of fast food into gains in new categories.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Gap
Gap rolls out Fashiontainment strategy with boy band collaboration
The pact with Just Your Type is positioned as bigger than a one-off campaign, spanning experiences, clothing and social content.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 22, 2026 -
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images via Getty Images
Deep DiveTwo-thirds of Americans are gamers. Why hasn’t ad spending caught up?
At IAB PlayFronts, marketers and developers discussed what’s next in gaming as the space continues to find its footing.
By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Permission granted by Subway
Subway skewers modern dining landscape with Will Arnett-led creative
Martin’s first campaign for the brand sees the actor serve as the subconcious of consumers seeking better meals than fast-food burgers and protein bars.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Courtesy of Campari
Why Campari updated a classic ad with Alan Cumming to serve Negronis
Head of marketing Allison Varone details an effort that riffs on creative from the 1970s that maintained “9 out of every 10,000 Americans prefer a Campari.”
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 21, 2026 -
Permission granted by Applebee's
How a popular burger drove Applebee’s to double down on cheese
CMO Michelle Chin explains how the chain leaned on marketing to capture what’s unique about the O-M-Cheese platform alongside brand partners.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Staples
Staples’ CMO on introducing a Hard Button amid bigger B2B push
A full-funnel campaign focuses on a dark alter ego for the Easy Button that leads to workplace conundrums like misprinted store signs.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 17, 2026 -
Permission granted by Sonos
Sonos’ brand repositioning trades specs for vibes in hunt for comeback
A refreshed strategy centers on emotions and experiences over appeals to audiophiles as the brand recovers from a prior misstep.
By Peter Adams • Sept. 16, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why Lowe’s CMO Jen Wilson added digital commerce to her portfolio
The addition of Lowes.com and Marketplace to a purview that includes retail media, loyalty and personalization speaks to the evolution of the marketer role.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Carter's
How Carter’s is refreshing its brand to reach Gen Z, millennial parents
An identity overhaul, inclusive of a new logo and revamped social media strategy, is showcased in a campaign that is rooted in self-expression.
By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 15, 2026 -
Courtesy of Target
Target hires ex-Hilton CMO as chief marketing and guest experience officer
Mark Weinstein will be responsible for developing how consumers experience and connect with Target across channels, culture and community.
By Chris Kelly • Sept. 14, 2026
