By Rob Walker January 20, 2023 Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture. As popular as it is, TikTok has critics—very serious critics, with very serious concerns. This isn’t just the usual social-media griping (misinformation, dubious trends, etc.). The addictive-video app has already been banned from government … Continue reading Why advertisers are pouring more money into TikTok, even as the government threatens to shut it down
Influencers Key To Marketing In A Down Cycle by Nick Cooke , January 13, 2023 As the “R word” remains top of mind at clients and agencies alike, marketers are turning cautious eyes to their budgets. Whether or not someone believes we are in a recession or headed for one, there are things brands can … Continue reading Influencers Key To Marketing In A Down Cycle
By Jeff Beer January 03, 2023 On Monday, DC Shoes cofounder, Hoonigan founder, and rally-car driver Ken Block died in a snowmobile accident at the age of 55. Block is perhaps best known among mainstream audiences for his groundbreaking Gymkhana rally-car-stunt driving series, launched in 2008, which has attracted more than 500 million views … Continue reading Why Ken Block was such a masterful marketer
By Lindy Segal December 08, 2022 After nearly three decades of pushing her body to its limits, Serena Williams is now focusing on recovery—quite literally. Following the tennis champ’s announcement in August that she is “evolving away” from the sport that made her a sports icon, today, Williams launches Will Perform, a line of topical … Continue reading Serena Williams’ new venture focuses on recovery
AimClear Interviewed ChatGPT About Marketing, Innovation- – Here’s What It Said aimClear, Friday, December 16, 2022 ChatGPT is all the rage. This latest evolution of artificial chat intelligence has some marketers worried about their jobs. Output from ChatGPT ranges from extraordinary to equivocating, self-admittedly incorrect, and fluent bullsh*t. The AI-infused output is characteristically … Continue reading AimClear Interviewed ChatGPT About Marketing, Innovation- – Here’s What It Said
By Jeff Beer August 29, 2022 During last night’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), the newest Beyoncé video dropped. Sort of. While it was directed by Jake Nava, the same person who helmed “Crazy In Love” and “Single Ladies,” this was no ordinary music video. It was a Gatorade ad and … Continue reading Beyoncé narrates Gatorade’s Serena Williams ad salute during the VMAs
Why DEI Initiatives Fail — And How To Ensure They Succeed by Melinda Ramos , July 21, 2022 Diversity, equality, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) policies are among the most important initiatives in the business world today. Hiring a diverse workforce helps to ensure that the organization is poised to meet the needs of all the … Continue reading Why DEI Initiatives Fail — And How To Ensure They Succeed
By Danica Lo June 22, 2022 What does ice cream smell like? That’s a trick question, because ice cream doesn’t actually smell like anything. Even if your favorite flavor contains fragrant ingredients, when held at such low temperatures, the chemicals that trigger human olfactory sensors are frozen in ice. It’s not until the … Continue reading Salt & Straw’s latest ice cream topping is actually a perfume
By Danica Lo June 22, 2022 In a seven-part threaded post (June 30, 2022), Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg outlined near-future plans that aim to enhance opportunities for influencers and digital creators to earn money by posting on both Facebook and its Meta-owned sister platform Instagram. The announcement includes opening up the Facebook … Continue reading Mark Zuckerberg announces new creator monetization tools for Facebook and Instagram
