Kia Motors gears up blockbuster-like video ad to flaunt vehicles

Hollywood-inspired "The Features Film" debuts as summer blockbusters are on hiatus due to the pandemic and suggests a return to more normal advertising.

By Dianna Christie • July 21, 2020

Back-to-school advertising activity drops 50% from last year, study says

As consumers continue to avoid in-store browsing, many back-to-school campaigns are moving to TV this year.

By Dianna Christie • July 21, 2020

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Retail Marketing

Top stories that underscore the leading influences on retail marketing, including Gen Z, pop culture and generative AI.

By Marketing Dive staff

Lexus folds origami lessons into social media series

"Lexus Creates" urges people to participate in the creative process that underpins the brand's emphasis on craftsmanship.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

Zoom's Q2 downloads jump past 300M, beating TikTok during pandemic

A direct result of the pandemic, the surge in popularity makes Zoom the third app in history to surpass 300 million downloads in a three-month period.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

NBC spoofs its own ad pitch with '30 Rock' primetime special

Instead of a virtual presentation, NBCUniversal called in its roster of talent on Thursday night to reboot the sitcom and flaunt new ad offerings.

By Chris Kelly • July 17, 2020

Trident urges Instagram users to mix beats with #ChewTunes AR filter

The Mondelēz brand is collaborating with hip-hop star T-Pain on a sweepstakes to attend the Grammys.

By Robert Williams • July 17, 2020

Old Spice embraces shaggy quarantine hair with humorous videos, influencers

A new "Hats are Dumb. Hair is Awesome." campaign comes as many men have grown out their hair during pandemic-related barbershop closures.

By Dianna Christie • July 17, 2020

Facebook, Snap take direct aim at TikTok amid threat of US ban

Facebook will roll out its TikTok-like feature called Reels on Instagram globally while Snap is testing a vertical swiping feature.

By Robert Williams • July 17, 2020

Campaign Trail: Audible responds to canceled summer trips with dreamy airline ads

Styled to mimic vintage creative, new spots by the Amazon-owned audiobook platform transport listeners to Mars, Hogwarts and Gilead.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • July 17, 2020

Hollister enters shaky back-to-school period with campaign led by top TikTok talent

An effort featuring the D'Amelio sisters, Noah Pugliano and Bill Nye arrives amid uncertainty for both school reopenings and TikTok's future in the U.S.

By Peter Adams • July 16, 2020

Amazon opens livestreaming platform to influencers

Influencers can earn a commission on sale of products they feature in their video streams on Amazon Live.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2020

Hulu tests self-service ad tool for small businesses

Hulu Ad Manager will let a company activate, manage and track a campaign for as little as $500.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2020

Doritos kicks off football's return with UGC compilation ad

In its first ad since the pandemic hit, the Frito-Lay brand will splice together fan submissions in a video during NFL Sunday Night Football on Sept. 13.

By Dianna Christie • July 16, 2020

American Eagle launches 1st esports sponsorship with virtual event

Featuring influencers from gaming, sports and music, the event will be livestreamed from the Twitch channels for co-sponsors GameStop and Uproxx.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2020

Cheez-It Snap'd ties snack rewards program to binge-watching on Amazon

Users who view a specified amount of themed content each month will receive Amazon credits that can be put toward snacks. 

By Peter Adams • July 15, 2020

Rubik's Cube sees 17M TikTok views with 40th anniversary campaign

Brand ambassadors have helped to push the #CubeAtHome hashtag as homebound consumers share videos of themselves trying to solve the puzzle.

By Robert Williams • July 15, 2020

Samsonite's eBags brand boosts mobile shopping with AR

The online luggage retailer saw higher sales conversions from web visitors who engaged with its 3D and AR content.

By Robert Williams • July 15, 2020

NBA, Sprite find more reward than risk with BLM ads, study says

As more brands wade in with messaging related to the racial justice movement, new research shows ads can be empowering without being exploitative.

By Dianna Christie • July 15, 2020

Nat Geo transports Instagram users to AR Mt. Everest

Explorers can virtually dress as climbers and travel to the summit with 360-degree views, taking selfies along the way.

By Robert Williams • July 15, 2020

Country Time offers stimulus checks to closed lemonade stand owners

The Kraft Heinz brand builds on a history of supporting kids with lemonade stands at a time when the pandemic has undercut the summer tradition.

By Dianna Christie • July 15, 2020

ANA: Content marketing budgets jumped before pandemic

The percentage of advertisers expressing a "strong commitment" to content marketing doubled to 52% from 26% two years earlier.

By Robert Williams • July 15, 2020

Burger King explains dangers of cow farts in video starring viral yodeling kid

An educational spot promotes new low-methane emission beef burgers from the chain that's steadily introduced more meatless options.

By Peter Adams • July 14, 2020

Johnson & Johnson samples AR try-ons for colored contact lenses

Developed by Perfect Corp., the Acuvue feature is available for the first time in WeChat and Taobao mini programs.

By Robert Williams • July 14, 2020

Key mobile stats that define the 1st half of 2020

Campaigns, acquisitions, usage and results from the first six months, broken down by the numbers.

By Mobile Marketer • July 13, 2020

How COVID-19 accelerated mobile trends in H1 2020

The realities of life in a pandemic have accelerated previously existing trends and calcified into a new normal for mobile marketers.

July 13, 2020