Why Dr. Squatch is investing in experiences — not ads — with IShowSpeed

Chief Brand Officer John Ludeke explains why the Unilever brand is betting that it can get Gen Z consumers to create content alongside the top streamer.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 31, 2026

How Domino’s is taking on the Big Mac, Whopper and other fast-food icons

CMO Kate Trumbull explains why the chain and AOR WorkInProgress chose a hyperbolic, darkly comedic tone for its latest campaign.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 31, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Marketing Dive

From the continued rise of artificial intelligence to the emergence of new digital channels, here's a look at key trends driving marketing in 2026.

By Marketing Dive staff

America’s 250th proves heritage marketing is for every brand

Discover how brands can tap cultural celebrations and authentic visuals to deepen trust and connection.

Aug. 31, 2026

The retail marketer’s BFCM readiness playbook

Is your brand BFCM-ready? Find the gaps before peak season hits.

By Chris Hutchins • Aug. 31, 2026

Old Navy is rewiring its marketing strategy after summer traffic bust

A new campaign with Cardi B, already the most-viewed in the brand’s history, is improving performance, Gap Inc. CEO Richard Dickson said.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 28, 2026

How Dr Pepper’s ‘Fansville’ campaign stays relevant and drives outcomes

Keurig Dr Pepper analyzes consumer signals by working with Publicis and retail media partners and using its first-party capabilities and martech stack.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 27, 2026

How Behr’s digital marketing helps DIYers overcome ‘paint paralysis’

CMO Andy Lopez shares how a hue-choosing chatbot and influencer campaign are part of the paint brand's renewed digital transformation drive.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 27, 2026

Why United helped broadcast ESPN’s fantasy football show live from the sky

Social media serves as an entry point into ESPN for fans, especially Gen Z ones. The company had a record 1 billion social engagements in February.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 26, 2026

Coke tackles college football season with creator content, fantasy sports

For its social-first approach, the brand will work with creators at partner colleges to produce content around events like games and tailgates.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 26, 2026

How Athleta is revamping its brand narrative with bolder purpose

A fall campaign features cinematic ads, bigger bets on social-first marketing and a sponsorship of Olivia Rodrigo’s first Daisy Chain Fields Festival. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 25, 2026

Pizza Hut ads celebrate quarterbacks as chain drops ‘pizza’ from name

Josh Allen is the latest quarterback to appear in a spot for the brand, which continues to place value at the center of its marketing message.

By Sara Karlovitch • Aug. 25, 2026

Wendy’s hires ex-McDonald’s CMO as chief marketing, customer growth officer

Tariq Hassan will succeed Lindsay Radkoski, U.S. CMO since 2023, as the chain continues to execute a turnaround plan.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 24, 2026

How Fanta’s new Haunted Universe helps turn Halloween into a platform

The Coca-Cola brand’s 2025 Halloween campaign delivered 10 billion impressions with significant engagement and impact on sales.

By Chris Kelly • Updated Aug. 27, 2026

Drop the hysteria. Paid search is here to stay.

Paid search isn't dead. The data shows top brands still invest, outperform and win with search today.

By Bradley Keefer, CRO, Keen Decision Systems • Aug. 24, 2026

Ann Taylor stages a brand comeback with Substack, fall fashion blitz

The brand’s first major integrated campaign in nearly a decade, which includes a New York Fashion Week pop-up, was developed in-house.

By Peter Adams • Updated Aug. 24, 2026

Why Nuuly is betting on a microdrama for its social-first fall campaign

The Urban Outfitters-owned, high-growth clothing rental service wants to break through ad fatigue with a series that examines modern dating.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 20, 2026

Newman’s Own bets on its purpose-driven heritage to engage millennials

Years after Paul Newman’s death, the brand’s new CMO sees opportunity in amplifying its use of good ingredients and that profits go to charities.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 20, 2026

Chipotle broadens Gen Alpha marketing with Salish Matter collab

A partnership with the 16-year-old YouTube and TikTok star marks the first time the brand has brought a custom creator order to its Kid’s Meal.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 19, 2026

Brands shake up back-to-school marketing to reach ‘hyper value-seekers’

Retailers like American Eagle are diversifying further beyond capital-I influencers and adjusting their media mixes to be more targeted this season.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 18, 2026

Under Armour ends partnership with The Rock amid marketing reset

The athletic brand said the decade-long relationship came to a “natural conclusion” just months after it parted ways with Steph Curry.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 17, 2026

Why StarKist chose to consolidate its marketing at one agency

The tuna brand enlisted Tombras to better position itself as a ready-to-eat protein and explore more culturally tapped-in ways to deploy mascot Charlie.

By Aaron Baar • Aug. 17, 2026

Crocs hatches new mascot Niles to enrich brand storytelling

The 6-foot-tall reptile, who appears in a new social series where he interacts with real employees, is expected to be a long-term fixture of Crocs’ marketing. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 14, 2026

Shoe Station names chief marketing officer

Tracy Dick is now in the chief marketer role, following the company’s corporate name change earlier this summer. 

By Kaarin Moore • Aug. 13, 2026

Cuisinart caters to thumb-scrolling consumers with short-form series

The 14-part, non-linear series follows the culinary endeavors of a modern home cook and her eccentric roommate from the 17th century.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 13, 2026

Dove’s marketing mixes sports and style for US Open sponsorship return

The brand is working with fashion photographers to capture trendy tournament looks that do not show white streaks from deodorant. 

By Peter Adams • Aug. 12, 2026