Campaign Trail: Dr. Squatch makes masculinity fun again in ‘Manlandia’

The Unilever-owned men’s grooming brand tapped hunky “Reacher” star Alan Ritchson to address male malaise.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 3, 2025

Lunazul Tequila expands NBA presence with team tie-ups, Shaq podcast

Parent Heaven Hill recently partnered with two new agencies, one of several moves to bolster brands like Lunazul, Evan Williams Bourbon and more.

By Sara Karlovitch • Oct. 3, 2025

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

Jack in the Box launches AI-powered in-app game to deliver value

DealQuest: Revenge of the Munchies offers bigger rewards the deeper players get into the game, potentially attracting cash-crunched consumers.

By Aaron Baar • Oct. 2, 2025

General Mills doubles down on snackable content with sketch series

“The Snacktime Sketch Show,” which parodies everything from “Love Island” to rogue artificial intelligence, promotes the “unsung heroes” of the snack aisle. 

By Peter Adams • Oct. 2, 2025

How Oura keys into self-expression to reach Gen Z, millennials

The brand is betting on channels where return on investment is strongest as it launches a ceramic smart ring in different colors for the first time.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 2, 2025

Qdoba’s new CMO on turning the fast-casual chain into a national brand

As it rapidly expands, the chain is relying on an agency roster including Leo, Influential and other Publicis shops, newly appointed CMO Jon Burke explains.

By Chris Kelly • Oct. 2, 2025

Top marketing conferences to attend in 2026

A convenient list of must-attend events for advertising professionals, from trade organization symposiums to expos around innovation and technology.

By Jessica Hammers • Updated Jan. 27, 2026

Target plots retail, marketing blitz around ‘Stranger Things’ final season

Target is the only retailer running a national campaign developed directly with Netflix and featuring on-screen talent from the show.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 1, 2025

Godiva taps Leighton Meester for brand reset ahead of 100th anniversary

The Belgian chocolate brand’s global campaign features the “Gossip Girl” star and spans CTV, OOH, billboards, digital, social and influencer elements.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 30, 2025

DraftKings bets on NBCU’s wide sports reach with multiyear ad deal

The deal grants the betting platform exclusive integrations and digital sponsorships across sports properties including the NFL and NBA.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 30, 2025

Doritos dials up ‘80s-style telethon for ‘Stranger Things’ final season

David Hasselhoff, Paula Abdul and ALF are featured on a hotline and in digital spots as the Frito-Lay brand taps into fandom and nostalgia.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 29, 2025

Athletic Brewing makes a play for nonalcoholic beer this football season

To drive visibility, the brand invested seven figures into a media plan that spans CTV, streaming audio, podcasts and targeted digital placements.

By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 29, 2025

Motto by Hilton gives travelers ‘main character energy’ in social series

Inspired by choose-your-own-adventure video games, “Guest Quests” features influencers Hannah Berner, Connor Wood and Kordell Beckham.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 26, 2025

Gen Alpha’s $5.46T economic impact: Here’s what the numbers say

Gen Alpha members increasingly act as a “family CMO,” experts say, and 76% would like brands to gamify their consumer experiences.

By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 26, 2025

In this economy!? Maxwell House rebrands as Maxwell Apartment

The Kraft Heinz brand’s social-first campaign nods to the historically tough housing market by offering a 12-month “lease” on coffee for less than $40.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 25, 2025

How Essentia pushes past category cliches with its New York takeover

Created by Droga5, the Nestlé brand’s new campaign includes videos, out-of-home ads, experiential activations and influencer collaborations.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 25, 2025

Oreo transforms crosswalks into cookies to spur impulse purchases

The Mondelez brand and agency VML decorated crosswalks outside of select Kroger locations to include QR codes accessing special offers.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 24, 2025

How Kellanova uses AI to predict creative performance and drive KPIs

The CPG marketer, in partnership with data firm Vidmob, found that predictive impact scoring can boost creative performance and media ROI.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 24, 2025

AB InBev teams with Netflix for co-branded campaigns around live events

The mutliyear partnership includes consumer activations, limited-edition packaging, digital promotions and other efforts.

By Sara Karlovitch • Sept. 23, 2025

Sephora cozies up to beauty creators with new affiliate program

My Sephora Storefront allows U.S. influencers to build shoppable digital storefronts and arrives as sales from affiliate marketing continue to grow.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 23, 2025

Taco Bell promotes marketing execs to take US success global

CMO Taylor Montgomery was promoted to global chief brand officer and will be succeeded by Luis Restrepo, vice president of brand and product marketing.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 22, 2025

Temptations, People honor hot cat dads in Sexiest Man Alive issue

The Mars Petcare brand is sponsoring a new category in the reader’s choice version of the special issue that tends to generate online chatter.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 22, 2025

How Lee’s new brand platform reasserts its denim authority

“Built Like Lee” celebrates the heritage of a brand founded in 1889 and is the first expression of a creative vision meant to resonate with a new generation.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 22, 2025

Why the advertising industry can’t wait for responsible AI guidelines

If companies wait for regulation, they will always be behind, says Integral Ad Science Chief Compliance Officer Kevin Alvero.

By Kevin Alvero • Sept. 22, 2025

PepsiCo’s Bubly gets low with Apple Bottoms jean collaboration

The social-first campaign was created by PepsiCo’s in-house agency and includes paid support across social and influencer collaborations.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 19, 2025