How Macy’s is flexing its Style Crew affiliate program beyond social media

The department store recently experimented with its Style Crew of over 600 influencers by integrating them into in-person events and direct mailers.

By Jessica Hammers • Jan. 22, 2026

9 marketing predictions for 2026 as AI fuels polarity

The sense of a stable middle ground is eroding across an industry at a point of contraction, with many displaying mixed feelings about marketing’s future.

By Peter Adams , Chris Kelly , Jessica Hammers , Sara Karlovitch • Jan. 13, 2026

For retail brands, TikTok Shop’s rise brings viral success — and disruption

At NRF, executives described major sales wins while acknowledging the social commerce feature is shaking up several retail fundamentals.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 13, 2026

How rising retail brands use influencers to combat digital overload

At NRF’s Big Show, execs from Mejuri, Coterie and Beyond Yoga emphasized the power of community in amplifying brand messages and viral moments.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 12, 2026

Why Recess is rethinking Dry January as drinking trends toward moderation

The functional beverage brand is championing balance — not abstinence — in a campaign that spans print, out-of-home, influencers and other channels.

By Chris Kelly • Jan. 11, 2026

Almond Breeze jabs at AI-generated slop with the Jonas Brothers

New videos show the trio pitched shoddy AI content, like an ad of them floating in space, before settling on a more traditional endorsement.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 6, 2026

Starbucks links with MrBeast to fuel Prime Video competition series

The coffee chain will appear in season two of “Beast Games” and offer a limited-edition drink in a bid to the popular creator’s younger fan base.

By Jessica Hammers • Dec. 29, 2025

Listerine turns mouthwashing sounds into music with Twitch creators

A series of livestreams timed to the new year will culminate in Twitch partners collaborating on a song that will soundtrack an audio campaign.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 22, 2025

WPP Media enriches influencer offering with YouTube creator data deal

The Goat Agency, which WPP acquired in 2023, is among the first partners to directly integrate a new API for creator matchmaking and campaign delivery.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 15, 2025

Home Depot builds bridge to influencers with creator portal

To attract further attention to the offering, the home improvement retailer is touting a roster of creators tied to the World Cup.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 11, 2025

How the best marketing campaigns of 2025 navigated uncertain times

The savviest marketers cut through chaos with strategies and tactics that portend where advertising could head next year.

By Chris Kelly , Jessica Hammers , Peter Adams , Sara Karlovitch • Dec. 9, 2025

Skims ventures into live entertainment with shoppable TikTok livestream

The apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian sought to draw inspiration from classic holiday variety shows for a 45-minute shopping experience.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 4, 2025

PepsiCo’s Mug brand finds Gen Z sweet spot: Fragrance, dogs and TikTok

The quickly growing brand leans into its recent social media successes by launching Daddy’s Home cologne on TikTok Shop.

By Aaron Baar • Dec. 3, 2025

How Urban Outfitters connects with Gen Z through brand collaborations

The retailer has increased sales growth and brand affinity in part by teaming with brands like Dunkin’ and artists like Tinashe to meet consumer needs.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 26, 2025

Inside Vaseline’s social-first, innovation-led marketing playbook

The brand is “pioneering the kind of desire at scale thinking” that Unilever wants to replicate across its portfolio, CEO Fernando Fernandez has said. 

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 25, 2025

Creator ad spend to reach $37B as marketers turn to AI for scale: IAB

While nearly three-quarters of advertisers already use or are planning to use AI in the next year to boost efficiency in the creator space, concerns remain.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 20, 2025

How Danone optimizes creator-driven ads as investment surges

CreativeX has developed creator content benchmarks to help advertisers bridge the gap between authenticity and measurable effects.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 20, 2025

How Unilever is pushing sports marketing beyond broadcast convention

Set to nearly double its spend on U.S. sports marketing, the CPG giant sees the category as emblematic of a shift to “many-to-many” marketing.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 19, 2025

How Gen Z is reshaping holiday marketing — and what brands can do about it

The cohort’s reliance on social media and influencers for product discovery remains, while new levels of comfort with retail media and AI take shape.

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 19, 2025

Why marketers like Unilever, State Farm are headed to NBCU’s BravoCon

Bravo’s fan convention for its reality shows led to double-digit lifts in brand recall, purchase intent and emotional engagement for participants in 2023.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 13, 2025

Marketers must wrestle with vanishing middle class in 2026: WARC

Rising costs and job insecurity are pushing marketers to focus on “affordability tension” and changing consumer milestones like having kids. 

By Peter Adams • Nov. 12, 2025

Chewy ramps up creator storefronts ahead of holiday season

More than 600 creators have signed up for the Chewy Storefronts platform, enabling them to curate shoppable product lists relevant to their audiences.

By Sara Karlovitch • Nov. 6, 2025

5 Gum asks Gen Z creators to envision ‘How It Feels to Chew’ for social

The brand’s signature piece of marketing is becoming a 12-part social series developed with Energy BBDO that showcases overstimulating flavor.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 5, 2025

Best Buy bets on sports, creators to serve up holiday gifting inspiration

The tech retailer will feature creators in its CTV ads for the first time and will advertise during 30 different NFL games throughout the season. 

By Jessica Hammers • Nov. 3, 2025

How Welch’s new kid mascot bridges nostalgia with modern marketing

Charlie Cheersman, the first kid to anchor the brand’s creative in 25 years, debuts as the CPG shakes up its marketing strategy and leadership.

By Peter Adams • Updated Oct. 28, 2025