Denny's enters 'The Matrix' and serves up free mobile delivery

As part of a promotion for the upcoming film "The Matrix Resurrections," the restaurant chain is delivering deals as "glitches" via digital wallets.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 9, 2021

Coca-Cola spotlights BIPOC creators with TikTok debut

Teaming with singer Khalid and dancer Jalaiah Harmon, the beverage giant is using a "bottoms-up approach" to highlight what young consumers say is cool.

By Nina Lentini • Dec. 9, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Marketing Dive

From the evolution of influencer marketing and paid media to the ongoing importance of data and culture, here's a look at key trends driving marketing in 2025.

By Marketing Dive staff

9 campaigns that struck a chord in 2021

Despite the year's unfulfilled promises, efforts by the likes of Coke, Burger King and Tide delivered boldness and resonated with consumers.

By Peter Adams , Chris Kelly , Natalie Black (Koltun) , Asa Hiken • Dec. 7, 2021

'Consumers crave experiences': How AR has evolved beyond mere try-ons

Dynamic activations are increasingly vital during the pandemic as people connect with brands on mobile — and they're likely key to future metaverse environments.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 2, 2021

Walmart and Yahoo tailor holiday content for social, AR shopping

After last year's collaboration spurred a 239% lift in gross merchandise value, the duo adds a tweet countdown and TikTok series to a wide-ranging effort.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Dec. 2, 2021

Afterpay taps Furby to dish out holiday gift ideas on TikTok

The effort blends late-'90s nostalgia with social commerce to help shoppers struggling to buy for "impossible" people.

By Asa Hiken • Dec. 2, 2021

Spotify places listeners in '2021: The Movie' for data-driven Wrapped campaign

Focusing on individuality, the annual effort weaves in a tighter narrative that references trends like NFTs and the "Good Soup" meme.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 2, 2021

Chipotle turns cilantro-soap meme into stocking stuffer

The fast casual chain also teamed with video game Halo Infinite Multiplayer as it looks to engage with consumers around culture.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 2, 2021

Will Twitter's CEO succession speed up a needed wave of innovation?

Parag Agrawal's focus on product could play an important role as the platform tries to court audiences like Gen Z and the advertisers that covet them.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 1, 2021

Volkswagen embeds AR driving experience on Amazon boxes

By scanning QR codes on the retailer's ubiquitous boxes, users can take a virtual drive and unlock three months of Amazon Music Unlimited.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 30, 2021

Coca-Cola, Walmart open AR holiday stores in Snapchat

The Snap Holiday Market and new AR shopping Lenses are the platform's latest efforts to merge commerce with social media.

By Chris Kelly • Nov. 24, 2021

Walmart to host Twitter's first shoppable livestream in quest to conquer social commerce

A 30-minute variety program led by singer Jason Derulo is one piece of an expansive content playbook around the crunched holiday season.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 23, 2021

Snap strikes Dentsu performance media deal as ad challenges loom

Direct response advertising now accounts for more than half of Snapchat's global revenue, but the platform is also contending with Apple headwinds.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 22, 2021

Niantic pushes vision for 'real-world metaverse' in first brand campaign

In "Meet You Out There," the firm behind Pokemon Go challenges big tech's outlook on the metaverse by encouraging people to use AR outdoors.

By Asa Hiken • Nov. 18, 2021

Perfect Corp. enters men's grooming market with AR beard tools

The technology lets users virtually test beard colors and styles, as well as beard removal.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2021

Facebook encourages shopping through its groups with new features

The company has also begun testing a live shopping tool for creators, enabling them to partner with brands and showcase products.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2021

Snap streamlines ad buying with new Multi-Format delivery tool

Machine learning tech can now select and place creative in available ad space based on a brand campaign's format, goal, budget and target audience.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Nov. 18, 2021

Ikea debuts holiday anthem designed for TikTok video series

Tied to the retailer's "Host Masters" competition, the track stems from research showing most TikTok users prefer brand videos with an original sound.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 18, 2021

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese shifts focus to brand and destigmatizing 'comfort'

In its first campaign messaging around emotion, the CPG marketer leverages TikTok so fans can illustrate how they feel about mac and cheese.

By Asa Hiken • Nov. 16, 2021

Wendy's revs up 'Rick and Morty' vehicle focused on speedy fry delivery

Iterating on a past car concept, the restaurant is promoting new Hot & Crispy Fries around this weekend's Adult Swim Festival and via its mobile app.

By Peter Adams • Nov. 12, 2021

How holiday marketers can blend in-store and app experiences

With most consumers planning to shop online this holiday season, marketers can reach folks through a robust mobile presence, an Airship study suggests.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 11, 2021

Sports Illustrated launches Snap Original series in push for Gen Z

America's Best Sports Videos showcases the kind of user-generated content that resonates with younger viewers on TikTok and other social video platforms.

By Asa Hiken • Nov. 11, 2021

Hasbro touts holiday toys in first livestream shopping event

Offering parents a glimpse into this year's popular toys across Hasbro brands, the event merges the convenience of mobile shopping with entertainment.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • Nov. 11, 2021

NBCUniversal teams with messaging platform Holler, deepening social monetization offerings

As part of the deal, the two created shareable stickers on Venmo that analyze context to serve up a relevant flair for users making payments. 

By Peter Adams • Nov. 11, 2021

McDonald's duets with Mariah Carey to celebrate the holidays

In advance of The Mariah Menu launch on Dec. 13, the chain debuted a 30-second TV spot during primetime and added free merchandise to the offering.

By Chris Kelly • Updated Dec. 6, 2021