Advertising and marketing news covering agencies, ad tech, brand campaigns, measurement, and shifts in digital marketing.
This commentary argues that scrolling on social media increases cognitive load, making users more susceptible to explicit advertising claims. The author, an advertising professor, presents research showing that after scrolling Instagram, participants preferred ads that directly told them what to buy over those inviting independent thought.
This commentary argues that Telfar's announcement of a 'severe downsizing' was a clever marketing stunt to introduce a miniature bag charm, not a real business contraction. It contends that the brand's loyal community and inclusive luxury ethos made the prank effective, highlighting Telfar's cultural significance and savvy engagement with its audience.
This commentary argues that the proliferation of commerce channels is undermining traditional marketing measurement, particularly last-click attribution. It contends that marketers face increasing difficulty in proving which channels drive sales, suggesting the need for new measurement approaches.
The FTC sent a warning letter to Fifty Bar's parent company, alleging its 'Made in America' labeling may be false since its disposable e-cigarettes are sourced from China. The products also contain nixodine, a Chinese chemical designed to evade US regulation.
This commentary profiles Jay Klein, founder of The PUR Company, and his journey from a marketing experiment to a global gum brand. It argues that entrepreneurial success can stem from contrarian thinking and studying failures, highlighting Klein's focus on aspartame-free gum and his insights on tariffs and mental health.
This commentary argues that AI alone is insufficient for marketing success, emphasizing the critical role of cultural insight, particularly in reaching Hispanic consumers. It profiles Jorge Perez's career journey from immigrant to marketing entrepreneur, contending that businesses often overlook the value of cultural understanding and that starting with nothing fosters adaptability and resilience.
Topgolf launched Topgolf Media Networks, a new division offering brands a single entry point to engage over 42 million annual guests through in-venue experiences, digital screens, first-party data, and content licensing across 100+ venues in top U.S. markets. CEO David McKillips stated the network enables measurable, authentic partnerships built around real customer engagement.
Generative engine optimization (GEO) is becoming more important than SEO for brands, as consumers shift to answer engines. Muck Rack's survey of 1,115 comms professionals found 73% say GEO is at least somewhat important, though 29% have no owner for it. 55% seek high-authority coverage to boost visibility in AI responses.
This article describes the making of Nike's 'Rip the Script' World Cup ad featuring LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, and notes how both athletes' real-life decisions mirrored the ad's theme of defying retirement. It argues that the ad's authenticity stems from the athletes' genuine rapport and their unscripted life events.
Vendasta earned a Marketing Technology badge in the TikTok Marketing Partners Program as a Channel Sales Partner, enabling partners to launch and manage TikTok ad campaigns through Vendasta MatchCraft. This allows local business advertisers to reach TikTok's billion-user community.