Brand Strategy


  • Skittles 2023 Pride packaging
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mars, Incorporated
    Image attribution tooltip

    Skittles links Pride Month packaging to LGBTQ+ stories on Audible

    The brand is also working with Cameron Esposito’s Queery podcast to highlight its partner artists’ stories during a fraught period for LGBTQ+ rights.

    By June 2, 2023
  • Maybelline's first-ever CGI avatar, May, which the brand is launching alongside its Falsies Surreal Mascara.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Maybelline
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    How legacy beauty brands are aging down to reach Gen Z

    Ever-changing trends and flashy brands like E.l.f. Cosmetics are challenging giants like Estée Lauder and L'Oréal to draw from a new playbook.

    By June 2, 2023
  • Bike lane in evening. Sign for bicycle painted on the asphalt. Car and traffic in background. Dividing line. Shadow from sunset sun. Explore the Trendline
    Image attribution tooltip
    olaser via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    The Marketing Dive Outlook on 2023

    Key into where the industry winds are blowing in 2023 across media, emergent technology and the public mood.

    By Marketing Dive staff
  • The Old Gays gear up for more cheers on new game show “No Straight Answers” presented by Visible Wireless.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Visible Wireless
    Image attribution tooltip

    Verizon-owned Visible launches Pride Month game show ‘No Straight Answers’

    The ‘70s-inspired game show will stream on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube and challenges two teams to games like “LGBTQ&A” and “Slang Slam.”

    By Aaron Baar • June 1, 2023
  • Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno and Lola Tung of Amazon Prime Video’s hit show "The Summer I Turned Pretty" for American Eagle.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by American Eagle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Inside American Eagle’s tie-up with ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

    CMO Craig Brommers details why the retailer partnered with stars of the Prime Video series and how it’s experimenting with Reels and Lemon8.

    By June 1, 2023
  • A collage of shots from Heinz new global brand platform celebrating stories of fan love.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by The Kraft Heinz Company
    Image attribution tooltip

    Heinz honors ‘irrational’ fan love in first unified global brand platform

    Representing Kraft Heinz’s biggest media investment to date, the effort celebrates tales of brand passion, such as ketchup bottle tattoos. 

    By June 1, 2023
  • T-Pain stands in front of a Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s and T-Pain remix ‘Buy U A Drank’ for Frosty push

    "Buy U a Frosty" is available on the fast-food chain’s YouTube channel and will soon be available for consumers to duet on TikTok.

    By June 1, 2023
  • Instacart
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Instacart on March 02, 2021
    Image attribution tooltip

    Instacart begins nationwide rollout of ChatGPT search tool

    The tool allows customers to find products as well as recipes, food prep tips and more using “natural language” instead of keyword-based searches. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 31, 2023
  • An image of customers sitting inside a restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by TaKorean
    Image attribution tooltip

    How restaurants can get a slice of Gen Z’s $360B spending power

    This generation's prioritization of time, social media and altruism — combined with a comparative mistrust of tech — sets it apart from millennials and Gen X.

    By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 31, 2023
  • Three bags of Frito-Lay products next to a FIFA World Cup trophy.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Frito-Lay North America
    Image attribution tooltip

    Frito-Lay makes largest-ever investment in women’s sports for World Cup

    As women’s sports continue to gain viewers, the snack marketer’s activations will span popular brands and include its Cracker Jill campaign.

    By May 31, 2023
  • Contestants in "Gamerhood Challenge" gather together on the set.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of State Farm
    Image attribution tooltip

    How State Farm meets the challenge of Gen Z marketing with esports

    The insurance firm’s “Gamerhood Challenge” is returning for a second year with bigger challenges and adding YouTube as a streaming partner.

    By Aaron Baar • May 31, 2023
  • LinkedIn ad campaign
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from LinkedIn on May 27, 2023
    Image attribution tooltip

    LinkedIn emphasizes the power of networking in global push

    Created with Droga5, “Find Your In” includes a minute-long spot and creator-led activation and arrives following a major round of layoffs at the company.

    By May 30, 2023
  • WPP shakes up creative process with new AI-powered content engine by Nvidia
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of WPP
    Image attribution tooltip

    WPP shakes up creative process with AI-powered content engine

    Supported by Nvidia, the new platform promises to generate large volumes of assets like images and videos while staying true to client goals. 

    By May 30, 2023
  • Unilever flag
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Unilever on November 17, 2020
    Image attribution tooltip

    Unilever’s chief digital and commercial officer Conny Braams departs

    The executive spent more than 30 years at the CPG giant and has served as its top marketer since the start of 2020.

    By May 30, 2023
  • A collage of headshots of executives from the Cashmere ad agency
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Cashmere
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Cashmere’s blend of culture and data is winning clients

    Recent AOR appointments from Marriott Bonvoy and Dave & Buster’s demonstrate how the agency’s approach is resonating at a fraught time for brand messaging.

    By Updated May 26, 2023
  • Don Julio Rosado
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Don Julio
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    Campaign Trail: Don Julio’s fantastical disco day party introduces a new innovation

    The Diageo distiller created a vibrant, pink-hued world to position its new Rosado expression as the daytime counterpart to its popular 1942 product.

    By May 26, 2023
  • A headshot of Nike executive Craig Williams against a grey background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nike
    Image attribution tooltip

    In massive executive shuffle, Nike names new Jordan president

    Heidi O’Neill's promotion to president of consumer, product and brand will “fully integrate [Nike’s] brand marketing storytelling to build deep relationships and engagement with the brand.”

    By Cara Salpini • May 25, 2023
  • A campaign image promoting a tie-up between Bacardi Rum and Stadium Goods
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bacardi Rum
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bacardi extends brand platform with custom Snap AR lens, sneaker NFTs

    A speakeasy pop-up event in New York and music festival experiences are also part of the brand’s latest iteration of its “Do What Moves You” platform.

    By May 25, 2023
  • Smoothe King romance novel created by ChatGPT
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Smoothie King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smoothie King pens paperback romance novel with aid of ChatGPT

    The 250-page “A Summer Fling to the X-Treme” is laced with secret codes readers can crack for the chance to win a free smoothie via the brand’s app.

    By May 25, 2023
  • A muscular video game avatar with a red boxing glove and blue vest stands next to a red chili.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle gears up for a fight with Street Fighter 6 activation

    The chain is rewarding consumers who place orders on the web or via app with in-game currency and will trade free food for viewing time on Twitch.

    By May 25, 2023
  • Digital screens in a store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Cooler Screens
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kroger brings digital smart screens to 500 locations

    The grocer is adding units from Cooler Screens on the heels of a three-year pilot, with the goal of strengthening its retail media offerings. 

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 24, 2023
  • McDonald's Little Mermaid Happy Meal
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald’s USA
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s spotlights Black Girls Surf to promote ‘Little Mermaid’ tie-up

    The fast food giant is doubling down on inclusivity around a film that has faced racist backlash, while the chain faces its own accusations of racial bias.

    By May 24, 2023
  • Three phone screens showcasing Peloton Gym.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Peloton
    Image attribution tooltip

    Peloton’s latest brand revamp arrives as revenue drops 22%

    The refresh brings a free membership tier and a new in-app content feature, Peloton Gym, as the brand strives to be more accessible.

    By May 24, 2023
  • A group of executives meet
    Image attribution tooltip
    fizkes via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    71% of CMOs lack the budget needed to execute marketing strategy in 2023

    Martech is the recipient of the biggest boost in spending while labor faces the largest pullback, a dynamic that could present challenges down the line.

    By May 23, 2023
  • A side-by-side comparison of Kraft Singles packaging before and after the brand refresh.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kraft Singles refreshes brand with bold colors, easier-to-open packaging

    The first overhaul in five years arrives as the brand looks to maintain its momentum during a period of high inflation. 

    By May 23, 2023
  • A BMW iX on the road
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from BMW on May 22, 2023
    Image attribution tooltip

    BMW applies sustainability to messaging and media buy

    The “Forces of Nature” branded video series for Canada delivered higher than expected completed views and was optimized toward sites with low emissions.

    By Aaron Baar • May 22, 2023