9 buzzworthy campaigns that set brands apart in 2019's first half

From a shirtless Colonel Sanders to Ikea's take on the Kama Sutra, the most creative efforts blended standout messaging, digital savvy or a combination of the two to break through the noise.

By Peter Adams , Chantal Tode , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly , Kira Barrett • July 8, 2019

Marketing 2019: Key stats at the half

Breaking down the first half of the year's campaigns by the numbers.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • July 8, 2019

Nike scores with Women's World Cup ad, sales

The U.S. Women's National Team home jersey is now the highest selling soccer jersey, men's or women's, the retailer has ever sold online.

By Cara Salpini • July 8, 2019

Budweiser uncaps behind-the-scenes documentary on brewing competition

Set to hit select theaters on Aug. 2, the film is part of a larger long-form content trend among big brands.

By Dianna Christe • July 8, 2019

Beef Association 'keeps sizzlin'' with ASMR-like video campaign

To reach millennials, the long-running "Beef. It's What's For Dinner" campaign gets a refresh.

By Dianna Christe • July 8, 2019

Burger King Sweden dares customers to order its plant-based menu items

The burger chain's "50/50 menu" gives diners a random chance of receiving regular meat patties or plant-based alternatives.

By Robert Williams • July 8, 2019

Report: Teen phenomenon TikTok taps 4 agencies to hone US strategy

The ByteDance-owned app wants to stand out less as an alternative to the likes of Snapchat, and more as a platform like YouTube, Ad Age reported.

By Peter Adams • July 3, 2019

Starbucks and Amazon partner on sports documentary about soccer

A new deal further cements the coffee chain's storytelling ambitions, which has included other productions like "Hingakawa" and "To Be Human."

By Dianna Christe • July 3, 2019

WSJ: Nike pulls flag-themed sneaker at Kaepernick's behest, setting off firestorm

An Air Max 1 model themed around July Fourth shipped before being recalled at the last minute. The decision has imperiled a deal for a planned manufacturing plant in Arizona.

By Peter Adams • Updated July 2, 2019

Shutterstock campaign, Coney Island pop-up fair join 'Stranger Things' bandwagon

With more brands looking to capitalize on the show's fervor, viewers may soon find the Upside Down has been transformed into the Land of Product Overkill.

By Barry Levine • July 2, 2019

Brisk Tea opens 'Cans of Whup Ass' with 'Hobbs & Shaw' partnership

The campaign includes an ad by an aspiring filmmaker that features WWE star Roman Reigns, who appears in the forthcoming "Fast & Furious" spinoff.

By Barry Levine • July 2, 2019

Country Time taps programmatic OOH to advocate for lemonade stands

Messaging is customized in several cities where there are ordinances against operating a lemonade stand.

By Dianna Christe and Chantal Tode • July 1, 2019

KFC suits up Cheetos mascot as new Colonel Sanders

Chester Cheetah is hawking sandwiches as the QSR taps a different brand icon for the first time.

By Dianna Christe • July 1, 2019

Accenture Interactive to boost revenue more than 20% this year

The digital marketing division of the consulting firm said its past acquisitions have fostered organic growth, even as it seeks more takeover targets.

By Robert Williams • July 1, 2019

Nike's women's business grows by double digits in 2019

"It's hard to overstate how important this year has been to the evolution of the women's offense at Nike," CEO Mark Parker said of the strong results.

By Cara Salpini • June 28, 2019

P&G continues racial bias conversation with new film

Picking up where "The Talk" left off, "The Look" is yet another purpose-driven effort from the CPG giant.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Chris Kelly • June 28, 2019

Comic Dive: Stranger Days

Game of What? The marketing world is turned upside down as brands like Coke and Burger King rush to tie in with Netflix's hit show "Stranger Things."

By John Hazard • June 28, 2019

Reebok loses global marketing head who led brand refresh campaign

Melanie Boulden, who's been at the athletic wear company just over a year, is leaving for a new role at Coca-Cola's Venturing & Emerging Brands unit.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris and Peter Adams • June 28, 2019

Diet Coke debuts label-free cans in challenge to stereotypes

A campaign profiles a range of people, from a transgender artist to a Native American woman, as the brand builds what it claims will be a "multi-year" platform. 

By Peter Adams • June 27, 2019

Razor brand Billie wants to 'normalize' women's pubic hair at the beach

Just in time for bathing suit season, the DTC brand's "Red, White and You Do You" campaign tackles traditional razor ads.

By Barry Levine • June 27, 2019

Under Armour, Converse, Ikea top Pride engagement on Instagram

Calvin Klein, MAC Cosmetics and Levi's showed mixed results for their Pride-related posts compared to their average content.

By Robert Williams • June 27, 2019

E.l.f. Cosmetics highlights diversity with brand messaging revamp

A video manifesto centered around "e.l.f.isms," influencer collaborations and an upcoming packaging refresh round out the campaign.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 26, 2019

AB InBev's Ritas brand calls out sexist language in new campaign

#NeverApologize is the latest effort from an Anheuser-Busch brand to target millennial women.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 26, 2019

Sabra warns 'The Vegans are Coming' with hotline for summer barbecue hosts

Active through the Fourth of July holiday, the channel offers vegan-friendly "Rescue Kits" and messages of encouragement from celebrities.

By Peter Adams • June 25, 2019

Bon & Viv looks to 'ban basic' vodka sodas this summer

The AB InBev spiked seltzer brand teamed with Betches Media for a humorous look at what it means to be "basic."

By Chris Kelly , Barry Levine • June 25, 2019