5 stories that shaped retail marketing in 2018

Some stories — and trendlines — stuck out more than others, both because of their impact at the time and for what they say about other moves in the space.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 3, 2019

Dodge, Lego build online tie-up and limited-edition play sets

Created with GSD&M, an ad shows a Dodge Challenger model on a racetrack and a Lego version with the tagline, "With Dodge, racers come in all sizes."

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

Consumer Packaged Goods

If CPGs can adeptly adjust to emerging mandates, they have an opportunity to strengthen their brands.  

By Marketing Dive staff

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter teams with Eva Longoria for short-form comedic videos

"Spread No Drama" is the first campaign since the brand developed a new creative ecosystem designed to raise awareness and drive actions.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

Spiked still water brand splashes into 'Anything but Flat' campaign

Launching Pura Still's first campaign around the new year appears strategically timed for when people often make health-related resolutions.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 3, 2019

Gatorade explores the science behind its products in Serena Williams-led spot

"You Fuel Us, We Fuel You" promotes the PepsiCo brand's science-backed, athlete-focused products.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 2, 2019

Media spend vs. promotions: why 1 delivers a 35% performance lift

Rather than choose one tactic over the other, new research spanning 13 years pushes brands to find the right balance of each for optimal results.

By Shane Schick • Jan. 2, 2019

Farmers Insurance launches episodic ads on Hulu

Two spots are broken into three sequential segments to tell a full story, a first for an insurance brand on Hulu. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 2, 2019

ESPN lets 4 college football superfans camp out on a billboard ahead of championship

Atop the 45-foot tall outdoor activation, participants are competing in games for prizes, some of which are being livestreamed.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 2, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

Take a look back at Marketing Dive's top stories, which captured the biggest developments from executive departures to creative innovation that shaped the industry.

By Marketing Dive team • Dec. 21, 2018

Nike execs see digital as 'the majority' of future business

E-commerce grew by 41% in Q2, and executives said that digitally focused store concepts and initiatives are paying off.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 21, 2018

Grey Goose serves holiday travelers with Ferris wheel, pop-up bar at JFK Airport

Travelers can pull a lever to open the door of a mini chalet on the wheel, unlocking a recipe they can photograph and use to make cocktails at home.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 21, 2018

Who What Wear launches digital OOH campaign targeting mall shoppers

The digital fashion publication is offering short-form video trend reports, style guides, fashion news and how-to content across 4,500 screens in U.S. malls.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 21, 2018

Campaign Trail: Burger King's royal gift; Krispy Kreme takes a stand; nutty holiday sweaters

Ahead of the holidays, marketers fight for gingerbread peoples' rights and offer goofy novelty gifts, including a $99 fire screen and snack-laden knitwear.

By Peter Adams , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Chris Kelly • Dec. 21, 2018

The Players' Tribune, Amazon Prime Video line up series focusing on NBA moms

The effort promotes Amazon Originals' "Jack Ryan" and will premiere during the NBA's Christmas Day games on both platforms.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 21, 2018

Nissan drives interactivity at college football tailgates with biometric-powered pop-ups

Converted semi-trucks boasted games that used gesture recognition and skeletal tracking tech to place fans into a virtual sporting experience.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

Freshpet, Huggies top list of ads that make an emotional connection

The Ace Metrix analysis used natural language processing and machine learning to measure the impact of ads based on a number of emotions.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

Google reimagines 'Home Alone' in new ad showcasing Google Assistant

Macaulay Culkin reprises his role as Kevin McCallister from the 1990 film and uses Google Assistant devices to foil the Wet Bandits.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

Behr dips into relaxing ASMR videos of painting process

Soothing sounds of popping open a paint can, swirling the mix and peeling tape off wall edges aim to showcase Behr's color selection and appeal to DIY-ers.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 20, 2018

Planters boosts ad awareness, purchase consideration ahead of the holidays, analysis finds

Nearly 40% of consumers said they would consider purchasing the Kraft Heinz brand as of Dec. 15.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 19, 2018

Popeyes' 'Emotional Support Chicken' aims to unruffle holiday travelers' feathers

To inject some humor to the holiday travel chaos, meals come in a chicken-shaped box at the Philadelphia International Airport.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 19, 2018

Chipotle kicks off college bowl season with 2 fresh campaigns

The company will offer free delivery through Jan. 7 and will have its first float in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

By Alicia Kelso • Dec. 19, 2018

Newell Brands moves global communications business to WPP

The ad holding firm has focused on simplifying how marketers work across the organization, making the Newell win an important endorsement of these efforts.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 19, 2018

Comic Dive: Have It Our Way

Burger King's "Whopper Detour" stunt used geoconquesting to troll McDonald's and drive a million app downloads.

By John Hazard and Lisa Burdige • Dec. 19, 2018

Dinosaurs and delis: How Tool of North America crafts epic experiences for Amazon

Two executives at the agency detail how it created innovative activations around "Jurassic World" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" for the tech giant turned cross-channel marketing platform.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 18, 2018

Wonderful Halos mandarins partners with 8-year-old YouTube star

Parents can enter their kids to win a play date with the star of ToysReview and receive Wonderful Halos delivered while they're in season.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 18, 2018