White Castle bursts onto fitness scene with whey protein powder

The burger chain is promoting the product — suspiciously launching on April Fools' Day — with an infomercial where a muscle-clad man asks viewers if they want to get "swole."

By Erica Sweeney • March 29, 2018

Heineken pulls 'lighter is better' ad after Chance the Rapper, others call it racist

In the spot, a bartender slides a bottle of Heineken Light past several black people before it lands with a paler-skinned woman.

By Erica Sweeney • March 28, 2018

YouTube TV signs on as first-ever presenting sponsor for NBA Finals

Sports viewing is in the midst of a significant upheaval and it could be some time before it becomes clear who the new leaders are. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 27, 2018

Tumi takes new luggage line around the world in short film starring Alexander Skarsgard

The James Bond-esque video features scenic views of destinations ranging from Italy to Mongolia, where each stop highlights one of the Tumi Latitude suitcase's qualities

By Erica Sweeney • March 27, 2018

Study: Mid-tier creators prove more engaging, trustworthy than both celebs and microinfluencers

There's a sweet spot for brands with digital trailblazers and emerging voices that have more than 250,000 followers but not necessarily blockbuster audience sizes.

By Erica Sweeney • March 27, 2018

NBA lets some fans stream a live game's final quarter for 99 cents

Offering access to parts of games through micro-transactions could turn into a moneymaker for the league as it emulates Amazon's Twitch.

By Erica Sweeney • March 26, 2018

Sherwin-Williams, Hanes, Powerade lead March Madness social media engagement

Among official NCAA sponsors, Capital One experienced a 2,573% lift between March 11-19 compared to March 2-10.

By Erica Sweeney • March 23, 2018

Target lands starring role on NBC's 'Superstore'

Scenes for an episode of the show were filmed inside a real brick-and-mortar location, and featured the brand's bull terrier mascot Bullseye. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 23, 2018

Campaign Trail: Starbucks's fortune-telling Frappuccino; AR T-shirt explores the human body

Dual-purpose products make a splash with a drink that also predicts the future and apparel that's part educational toy. 

By Peter Adams , Chantal Tode • March 23, 2018

Digital ad spend will reach 50% of total ad sales in 2018, forecast says

The U.S. ad market is projected to grow 5.5% this year — a higher rate than previously expected — to reach an all-time high.

By Erica Sweeney • March 22, 2018

H&M and Crocs dance into spring with star-studded campaigns

The retailer released an empowering short where Elizabeth Olsen and Winona Ryder meet on the dance floor, while the shoe brand brought back Drew Barrymore for a musical number.

By Erica Sweeney • March 22, 2018

NBA signs content deal with meditation app Headspace

The two will share jointly-produced content on the NBA's social media platforms, which the league reports have more than 1.4 billion likes and followers globally.

By Robert Williams • March 22, 2018

Google commits $300M to new initiative supporting publishers, quality journalism

The effort includes programs to fight the spread of misinformation online and also bolster news outlets' revenue streams via a subscription tool.

By Erica Sweeney • March 21, 2018

Facebook pilots Patreon-like program to support creator community

One of two new monetization tools lets fans pay their favorite creators on a monthly basis to earn access to exclusive content and badges. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 20, 2018

Nike takes gamification to the next level with sneaker try-on game

Dubbed "Reactland," the game lets shoppers try on shoes by running on a treadmill hooked up to a video game.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2018

Purpose takes center stage for PepsiCo, Stella Artois at SXSW

Both companies are thinking about values-based marketing in less piecemeal terms as young consumers demand their brands stand for something, with successful results.

By Peter Adams • March 19, 2018

Travel Oregon looks to lure visitors with lushly animated 'Only Slightly Exaggerated' campaign

A fantastical 90-second short is supported by immersive content, GIFs and additional animations focused on the state's seven tourism regions. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 19, 2018

Wendy's urges fans to pick #TeamFresh for March Madness offers and swag

In addition to the interactive challenge on social, the chain is activating its sponsorship via its mobile app, first-ever streetwear collection and a food truck. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 16, 2018

Report: Top Amazon video content drew more than 5M users to Prime

Newly released internal documents reveal how the company measures success on a "cost per first stream" basis, or the cost to convert a customer to Prime. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 16, 2018

Tostitos wants people to hang out more or become 'Van Dammed'

A new campaign featuring the '80s and '90s action star uses humor to criticize being asocial, including through six- and 15-second ads.

By Erica Sweeney • March 16, 2018

Tommy Hilfiger puts Gigi Hadid behind the wheel with Formula One racer

Lewis Hamilton, regarded as one of the world's best drivers and a major social media presence, is the brand's new menswear ambassador. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 16, 2018

MGM's digital #WarGames series lets viewers shape stories

The six-episode show is an interactive, updated version of the studio's 1983 film that lets viewers interact with and influence content.

By Erica Sweeney • March 15, 2018

Kingsford Charcoal celebrates MLB Opening Day's return with interactive digital experience

"Backyard All-Stars" lets fans apply the voice of famous announcers to videos of themselves swinging for the fences.

By Erica Sweeney • March 15, 2018

Macy's hacks Instagram's Live Share for spring campaign

Influencers will style an article of clothing and then challenge another influencer to re-style it using a new feature that enables simultaneous live streaming. 

By Erica Sweeney • March 14, 2018

Advertisers, get off your agency's back!

Agency-client relationships need transparency, agility and autonomy to deliver great work, writes Agency Mania Solutions's Bruno Gralpois.

By Bruno Gralpois • March 14, 2018