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 Chris Kelly • Aug. 18, 2025

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 Jessica Hammers • Aug. 18, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Multichannel Optimization

There’s greater urgency around the need to optimize multichannel marketing efforts and unite channels including retail media, social media and others.

By Marketing Dive staff

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

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 Chris Kelly • Aug. 15, 2025

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 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 Peter Adams • Aug. 14, 2025

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 Chris Kelly • Aug. 14, 2025

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 Jessica Hammers • Aug. 13, 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

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 Sara Karlovitch • Aug. 13, 2025

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 Peter Adams • Aug. 12, 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

How Mondelēz is modernizing Ritz as it turns to snacks to drive growth

The cracker brand’s partnership with Bad Bunny demonstrates how the CPG marketer is looking to connect with consumers around culture.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 11, 2025

Bud Light kicks off NFL season with at-home tailgates, Peyton Manning

The spot from Anomaly follows the brand’s well-received Super Bowl spot and a recent tie-up with Netflix and Manning’s Omaha Productions.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 7, 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

Olipop appeals to young men with SpongeBob flavor, Roblox experience

Players within the existing SpongeBob Tower Defense game in Roblox can collect cans of the new Pineapple Paradise flavor as an in-game reward.

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 7, 2025

How Yum Brands predicts the ‘it’ beverage of the future

Yum Brands CMO Ken Muench explains how the company knows, years ahead of time, which flavors it will pursue for beverage innovation.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 7, 2025

How Carl’s Jr. built on big game success with social star Alix Earle

The fast-food chain has featured the TikTok personality in a series of campaigns that harken back to the racy ads it ran over a decade ago.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 6, 2025

Why Kellanova’s snack brands inked first sports deal as a group

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Cheez-It and Pop-Tarts marketer has teamed with U.S. Soccer, the governing body for MLS and the NWSL.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 6, 2025

Anthropologie upgrades Maeve private label to stand-alone brand

A robust marketing strategy includes an ad campaign across digital and physical channels, a Substack newsletter, an in-person event and more.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 5, 2025

McDonald’s brings back McDonaldland to unlock consumers’ ‘core memories’

Publicis, Wieden+Kennedy, TMS, ProdCo, We Are Social, IMG and IMS collaborated on different elements of the nostalgic campaign.

By Chris Kelly • Updated Aug. 11, 2025

How Kroger built a sonic ecosystem into its multichannel brand platform

The grocery giant teamed with Made Music Studio to expand on existing brand elements and engage with evolving consumers.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 5, 2025