Taco Bell unwraps fresh song, fake movie trailer for Nacho Fries' return

The chain's original songs and sheet music follow a flurry of recent campaigns around musical branding.

By Barry Levine • June 6, 2019

Cadillac's 3-step Oscars campaign drove a 47% spike in dealership site traffic

Purpose-led "Keep Rising," which included custom Twitter emoji and celebrities Spike Lee and Constance Wu, spurred a similar jump in online searches.

By Peter Adams • June 6, 2019

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

Netflix app tests Stories-like feed

With an emphasis on sharing, the new "Extras" feed brings together movie trailers, photos and alerts for upcoming shows.

By Robert Williams • June 6, 2019

IAB releases playable ads guide as format's reach grows

Interactive playable ads have expanded beyond their initial role of previewing gaming apps to creating immersive brand experiences.

By Robert Williams • June 5, 2019

Coca-Cola offers $10K for consumers to create best new drink concoction

The soda giant's "Make Your Mix" contest will reward the most creative flavor made from two or three beverages at a Freestyle machine.

By Cathy Siegner • June 5, 2019

Belvedere Vodka duets with Janelle Monáe for UGC, diversity push

The "Beautiful Future" messages are in line with the advertising industry's push for greater diversity and inclusion.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 5, 2019

Mtn Dew localizes national campaign with state-specific bottles, 50 unique digital ads

The brand's summer push recognizes the variety of activities Americans engage in and celebrates those differences.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 5, 2019

Instagram now lets brands boost organic posts as ads

Instead of reaching followers of a single influencer through paying for their posts, the new branded content ads can be targeted to a wider group.

By Robert Williams • June 5, 2019

Got to be real: the dos and don'ts of musical branding campaigns

Major brands like Oreo and Lay's have tapped mainstream musicians to craft original songs, but not all the efforts are chart toppers.

By Chris Kelly • June 5, 2019

Study: Gen Z opts for personalized, interactive content over privacy

While 38% prefer ads to be targeted around their browsing history or preferences, the cohort is less concerned about how brands will use their data.

By Robert Williams • June 4, 2019

IHOP resurrects controversial 'IHOb' name change, targets burger promo's haters

The chain becomes the latest marketer to incorporate online negativity into its marketing as opposed to letting customer service handle it. 

By Barry Levine • June 4, 2019

Pernod Ricard links with new Gen Z-focused agency on global music festival

Planned across three continents, the events are the first to be co-sponsored by Pernod Ricard brands, including Beefeater, Jameson, Ballantine's and Absolut.

By Barry Levine • June 4, 2019

OpenTable showcases LGBTQ+ restaurants for Pride Month

The reservation platform joins a growing mix of restaurant brands including Starbucks, sweetgreen and fresh&co that are showing support for the LGBTQ+ community.

By Alicia Kelso • June 4, 2019

Foursquare buys location-tracking firm Placed from Snap

The deal could amplify Foursquare's efforts in helping mobile marketers track foot traffic to retail locations.

By Robert Williams • June 3, 2019

Atom Tickets teams with Flikflix on 'Tinder-like' movie app

A new Matchmaker tool virtually connects friends looking to watch a film together by delivering suggestions via AirDrop, messages or email.​

By Robert Williams • June 3, 2019

Courvoisier Cognac drinks up partnership with Def Jam Recordings

The brands are planning a series of activations inspired by key cultural moments in hip-hop and events supporting emerging artists.

By Dianna Christe • June 3, 2019

Comic Dive: Run For The Border, Get A Room

In its biggest lifestyle play yet, Taco Bell doubles down on millennial marketing with a branded hotel that scratches several tactical itches.

By John Hazard • May 31, 2019

Gatorade boosts UGC with new app for teen athlete videos

The free platform aims to help younger users capture and share videos of their best sports moments.

By Robert Williams • May 31, 2019

Chipotle joins spelling bee to pit its ingredients against competitors'

At this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee, some contestants participated in word challenges involving ingredients like "avocado" and "carrageenan."

By Barry Levine • May 31, 2019

Facebook expands rewarded video, playable ads for mobile games

Nearly 80% of game developers that use ads and in-app purchases to monetize their content said rewarded video is the most effective format.

By Robert Williams • May 30, 2019

Study: Gen Z cares about issues and is skeptical of brands

Supporting Gen Z's values and seeking their input as co-creators are two ways brands can appear authentic in their marketing.

By Barry Levine • May 30, 2019

Old Spice salutes 'Godzilla' to promote Walmart exclusives

Tapping YouTube star DangMattSmith for its latest internet-friendly video effort comes as Old Spice's parent Procter & Gamble looks to revamp the digital media supply chain.

By Barry Levine • May 30, 2019

Why New Coke is back

​Coca-Cola plans to feature its decades-old beverage flop in "Stranger Things." But the reason behind the move isn't nostalgia alone, writes Ericho Communications' founder Eric Yaverbaum.

By Eric Yaverbaum • May 30, 2019

Baskin-Robbins teams with Netflix for 'Stranger Things'-inspired ice cream truck

Inspired by the show's Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream parlor, the activation is the latest brand partnership to bring the hit show to life.

By Dianna Christe • May 29, 2019

Sweetgreen unveils Pride-focused marketing campaign

The chain is also kicking off its first national marketing effort this summer, with plans to donate $1 from every bowl sold on June 2 to a program for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

By Lauren Manning • May 29, 2019