Brand Strategy

  • A woman walks past an H&R Block office.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    H&R Block doubles down on social marketing amid modernization push

    The tax-preparation firm is uniting its social creative and media duties under VaynerMedia, a move it says will enable more agility and performance.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
  • Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley for Little Caesars
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    Courtesy of Little Caesars
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    Little Caesars dials up NFL marketing with deals, co-branded campaign

    The pizza chain is also flexing partnerships with football stars like Saquon Barkley for its fourth year as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the league.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
  • Artificial intelligence helping businessman make strategy and forecast. Explore the Trendline➔
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    zhuweiyi49 via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Marketing Dive

    From the evolution of influencer marketing and paid media to the ongoing importance of data and culture, here's a look at key trends driving marketing in 2025.

    By Marketing Dive staff
  • Jon Hamm for BetMGM
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    Courtesy of BetMGM
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    BetMGM’s CMO on how its brand repositioning unites gaming, entertainment

    To separate from the pack, the sports-betting platform is launching a Las Vegas-inspired brand refresh with ads starring Jon Hamm.

    By • Aug. 26, 2025
  • CarMax band in ad
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    Courtesy of CarMax
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    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 • Aug. 25, 2025
  • A woman holds a smartphone with the White Castle loyalty program prominently displayed
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    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 • Aug. 25, 2025
  • People gathered around a laptop and looking at something on the screen
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    Canva Studios

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    Sponsored by 3rd + Taylor Agency

    Why B2B marketers should own 90% of the pipeline (don’t kill the messenger)

    A simple switch in lead handling could boost close rates without more budget.

    By Tiffany Nwahiri • Aug. 25, 2025
  • Interior of a store.
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    Permission granted by Sam's Club
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    Opinion

    How experiences turn in‑store retail media into real results

    Retail media needs to bridge the gap between physical and digital to create a cohesive media ecosystem, writes Sam’s Club’s Harvey Ma.

    By Harvey Ma • Aug. 22, 2025
  • Downy's cover art for its "Almost Scandalously Soft Stories" campaign.
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    Courtesy of Downy
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    Downy tells ‘Almost Scandalously Soft Stories’ for Spotify campaign

    The P&G brand is tapping into the growing popularity around audiobook romances with four stories that position freshness as a sensorial escape.

    By Aaron Baar • Aug. 21, 2025
  • A giant black RXBar with a gift card peeking out of the top of the packaging stands in a glossy rendition of an airport gate.
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    Permission granted by Kellanova
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    RXBar, Hidden Valley see marketing opportunity in summer travel chaos

    The packaged foods brands are running separate promotions that help cover the costs of flying and canceled trips amid a busy season. 

    By • Aug. 21, 2025
  • People on a tour of Ace Hardware's Retail Support Center in Kansas City.
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    Permission granted by Ace Hardware
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    Ace Hardware launches retail media network

    RedVest Media gives participating brand partners a targeted approach to advertising through onsite premium ads, in-store signage and more.

    By Howard Ruben • Aug. 21, 2025
  • DoorDash's "Too Much Winning Energy" campaign imagery
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    Courtesy of DoorDash
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    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 • Aug. 21, 2025
  • Gap's "Better in Denim" campaign with Katseye
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    Courtesy of Gap
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    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 • Updated Aug. 19, 2025
  • A person with long blond hair smiles, sitting sideways in a director-style chair. Water and far-off trees are in the background.
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    Courtesy of HeyDude
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    Crocs appoints 2 new CMOs to level up creative strategy: WWD

    Crocs and Heydude are getting new marketing chiefs as they double down on storytelling, with the latter looking to build on a brand awareness bump.

    By • Aug. 18, 2025
  • Applebee's Ultimate Trio on a football field
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    Courtesy of Applebee's
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    How Applebee’s sharper marketing turned around sales ahead of NFL season

    The casual dining chain recently achieved positive same-store sales growth for the first time in two years, Dine Brands CEO John Peyton explains.

    By • Aug. 18, 2025
  • 818 Tequila's 818 Mini bottles
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    Courtesy of 818 Tequila
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    Q&A

    Why 818 Tequila is using fashion to tap into Gen Z’s ‘little treat’ craze

    CMO Kathleen Braine explains how the Kendall Jenner-founded brand is channeling Labubus and lip gloss keychains to launch its new 818 minis. 

    By • Aug. 18, 2025
  • Collaborative Reese's-Oreo products sit in front of a blue-orange background
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    Retrieved from Reeses YouTube on August 15, 2025
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    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 • Aug. 15, 2025
  • Nike SB Nyjah 4 campaign
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    Courtesy of Nike SB
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    Column

    Campaign Trail: Nike shows the life of the mind with skater Nyjah Huston

    Independent agency Thesis brought authentic skateboarding energy to a spot featuring one of the sport’s brightest — and most polarizing — stars.

    By • Aug. 15, 2025
  • Hi-Chew in Fortnite
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    Courtesy of Hi-Chew
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    Hi-Chew amplifies Fortnite appearance with creators, ‘unlockable site’

    Consumers who visit a microsite can complete in-game and social media challenges in exchange for points that can be redeemed for entries into a raffle.

    By Aaron Baar • Aug. 14, 2025
  • Instacart concert flyer
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    Courtesy of Instacart
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    Instacart cracks into live experiences to cap off ‘90s nostalgia blitz

    Frosted Flakes and Venmo are supporting a Third Eye Blind concert that will feature Frosted Tips stations and throwback food and drinks.

    By • Aug. 14, 2025
  • Jason Kelce and Chuck Liddell in a Garage Beer video
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    Courtesy of Garage Beer
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    How Garage Beer is building its brand with no-holds-barred marketing

    The independent brand has become America’s fastest-growing beer by tapping into martial arts movies, pro wrestling and other micro niches.

    By • Aug. 14, 2025
  • TRESemmé's "Get TF Out of Bed" campaign imagery.
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    Courtesy of TRESemmé
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    TreSemmé says ‘Get TF Out of Bed’ for party tour, social media series

    The Unilever hair care brand is spotlighting its A-List Collection Dry Texturizing Spray through a tie-up with Eventbrite to host events in five major cities.

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
  • Shoppers walk past the U.S.-owned Polo Ralph Lauren store in the upmarket Via del Corso shopping area on March 12, 2025 in Rome, Italy.
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    Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
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    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 • Aug. 13, 2025
  • A Boiler Room event
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    Retrieved from Boiler Room on August 12, 2025
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    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 • Aug. 13, 2025
  • A Voodoo Ranger experiential activation
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    Courtesy of Voodoo Ranger
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    Why Voodoo Ranger engages board game fans to build awareness

    The brand has built up a presence on the convention circuit to bring together a passion for craft beer and board games.

    By • Aug. 13, 2025
  • Dove underarm sponsorship campaign
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    Courtesy of Dove
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    Dove seeks underarm ambassador as part of US Open sponsorship

    The brand is holding an open casting call for a content creator who isn’t afraid to show off their pits as Unilever ramps up its work around influencers. 

    By • Aug. 12, 2025