The Latest
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Samsung swipes at Apple over controversial ‘Crush!’ ad for iPad Pro
A spot pulled together in days shows a musician wandering through what appears to be the wreckage of Apple’s ad and plugs the Galaxy Tab S9.
Updated May 17, 2024 -
Danone unites yogurt brands for ‘Snack & Streamapalooza’ on TikTok
The event spotlighting the Remix line of products from Oikos, Too Good & Co. and Light + Fit includes four content sets featuring top TikTok personalities.
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Netflix plans to in-house ad tech, adds measurement partners as ad tier surges
The streaming platform announced during its upfront that its ad-supported plan now has 40 million global monthly active users — up from 5 million a year ago.
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TikTok users continue to grow and evolve: Here’s what the numbers say
While TikTok has been a go-to for brands who want to reach younger cohorts, the average age of the platform’s users is climbing, per YouGov.
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CMOs enter ‘era of less’ as budgets plunge below pre-pandemic levels
Nearly two-thirds of marketers believe they have don’t the resources to execute 2024 strategies, while some are pinning their hopes on AI, per Gartner.
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Pizza Hut hits drive-thrus to get consumers to ‘cheat’ on their burgers
The chain’s delivery drivers will appear at competitor drive-thrus with a QR code on their back windows to offer the new Cheeseburger Melt.
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YouTube pitches advertisers on streaming dominance, unskippable video ads
The company’s Brandcast upfront featured a new take on branded QR codes and an expanded creator takeover program.
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Pinterest teams with Real Simple for magazine’s first shoppable issue
The issue, which leverages QR codes that lead to curated Pinterest boards, highlights over 120 products and expands the platform’s bid to publishers.
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Jack Link’s takes shot at competition in Gen Z-focused national campaign
“Feed Your Wild Side” will target college towns this summer and includes TikTok videos dedicated to “wild content” and taking playful digs at “Jim.”
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Column
Sociable: Google goes big on generative AI at I/O 2024
The company unveiled a next-level generative AI search process along with a range of other new features that leverage the buzzy tech.
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Amazon’s first upfront promises full-funnel advertising at scale for all
Proving it could deliver the same Hollywood wattage as its competitors, Amazon worked to separate itself from the pack by offering scale and results.
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Gap Inc. selects Omnicom as media AOR, reorganizes key media functions
The apparel marketer created a Marketing Shared Services organization to unite core media functions as it works to revitalize its brands.
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Inside Expedia’s plan to be the world’s travel media network
An expanded offering combines first-party traveler insights with a host of capabilities and comes as more players enter the media network space.
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Pepsi stakes claim as superior soft drink for grilling season with Bobby Flay
The “Grills Night Out” campaign spans in-store displays, digital content shorts and a partnership with Instacart for a giveaway running through May 19.
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Welch’s Fruit Snacks debuts largest-ever campaign with Gordon Ramsay
The celebrity chef serves as Welch’s “CFO,” or chief fruit officer, and stars in the first TV commercial in the brand’s history to promote its clean ingredients.
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Deep Dive
Why marketers increasingly downplay sustainability efforts
Greenhushing on climate-related initiatives is becoming more widespread amid an intensifying regulatory environment and consumer backlash.
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Thomas’ revives breakfast with first brand character in 144-year history
Thom, billed as a “proper young man with a strong British accent,” is meant to remind consumers to savor breakfast amid the hectic morning shuffle.
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Reddit hires Google vet to guide ad product development post IPO
Jyoti Vaidee oversaw key launches at the search giant, including Dynamic Product Ads, and previously worked on Microsoft’s Outlook and Xbox.
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E.l.f. says corporate America has ‘So Many Dicks’ and not enough diversity
The brand highlights the “ROI of DEI” by calling out the success of its diverse board compared to those full of men named Richard, Rick and Dick.
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IAB: Podcast ad revenue to grow double digits following last year’s slump
The sector is expected to see over $2 billion in revenue this year following modest growth of 5% in 2023 that contrasted years of double-digit gains.
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Reebok spins photo memories into custom digital sneakers with AI tool
Reebok Impact uses a chat feature on Instagram to create virtual footwear that is interoperable with popular games including Fortnite and Roblox.
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McDonald’s to focus on digital marketing with new fund
The fund, which will be paid with existing contributions, will allow the chain to market more effectively to customers within its app.
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Column
Campaign Trail: Bacardí drinks from fountain of youth with Camila Cabello
Made with BBDO New York, the rum brand’s latest “Do What Moves You” spot literalizes how sound moves everyone and everything.
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Not crushing it: Apple’s new iPad Pro ad met with wave of backlash
Apple has issued an apology for the “Crush” spot and scrapped plans to run the ad on TV, saying the video “missed the mark.”
Updated May 10, 2024 -
Deep Dive
Legacy media makes new bets on CTV and retail media convergence
Disney’s new partnership with Walmart Connect and Amazon’s latest streaming TV ad formats demonstrate how the growing channels can work together.