Legendary NBC marketer John Miller to retire

Creator of “Must See TV” to retire after 43 years.

Watch the newest commercials from Experian, Taco Bell, Virgin Voyages and more

A bunch of tiny John Cenas along with full-size John Cena explain how Experian can help you save on car insurance.

 

Walmart pulls Juneteenth ice cream after backlash

Walmart has pulled its Great Value Celebration Edition Juneteenth Ice Cream from shelves following a social-media uproar.

Pepsi’s Super Bowl Halftime Show sponsorship ends after a decade

The brand cites a new entertainment strategy for ending the influential 10-year run; the NFL fields ‘incredible interest’ from potential successors.

Cannabis Brand Borrows From Pompous Perfume Ads to Hype New ‘Fancy’ Edibles

Do you use words like “debonair” and “gar?on,” while picturing yourself on a private jet and considering, maybe someday, going to a museum? You so fancy! For a campaign that’s heavy on parody and even heavier on a fake French accent, legacy cannabis edibles brand Cheeba Chews launches its new line of P?te De Fruit…

Everything Google revealed at its annual advertising event

Search giant made a mountain of updates to its ad platform that apply more machine learning and data to campaigns.

State Farm under fire for joining and leaving LGBTQ+ children’s book program

State Farm had partnered with GenderCool, a nonprofit supporting inclusivity for youths, but severed ties following backlash by conservatives.

There Is More to a Flexible Workplace Than Meets the Eye

Flexibility has already become the word of the year: Flexible hours. Flexible workdays. Flexible geographies. Flexible work environments. Anything and everything having to do with flexibility is being discussed daily by leadership across the country. And when you consider “The Great Resignation” and the challenges we are all facing with staffing and recruiting, how we…

Why creators plus podcasts on YouTube equal marketing magic

Reach, relevance and resonance have long been the holy grail for big brands, but new channels are hard to come by. The solution: endorsements on YouTube.

Pepsi Will No Longer Sponsor the Super Bowl Halftime Show

Pepsi is bowing out of its association with the Super Bowl Halftime Show. After a decade as the presenting sponsor of the Big Game’s star-studded entertainment break, Pepsi has decided this year’s performance featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will be its last. The soft drink giant plans to…

Twitter Media Becomes Twitter Create

Say farewell to Twitter Media and welcome Twitter Create. Twitter The social network called the refreshed website “a new destination for creators to access creator resources, product information, best practices and tips,” adding that the site will also feature interviews spotlighting creators on Twitter. The @TwitterMedia handle was also changed to @TwitterCreate. A Twitter spokesperson…

How Disney+ will include ads in movies as new ad model comes into focus

Rita Ferro, president of advertising sales, expanded on streamer’s ad plan during Ad Age TV Pivot.

Stella Artois Strips Down Its Ads and Goes ‘Au Naturel’ to Showcase Unfiltered Beer

In a world where brands strive for authenticity, Stella Artois has pulled the ultimate power move: getting butt naked. The Belgian beer brand is baring it all in a funny, simple execution from Mother London to promote its new Stella Artois Unfiltered, described as “a golden larger in its purest form,” in Europe. Spanning TV,…

Audi apologizes over China ad’s potential copyright breach

Automaker accused of stealing language from a poem.

There’s No Better Time for Brands to Bet on Augmented Reality

Editor’s note: Today’s column is part of a series with Snap on augmented reality. Below, Kathleen Gambarelli, global head of product marketing for performance solutions, demonstrates two key ways that AR technology can instill confidence and inspiration in consumers–and the brands trying it out. From the groceries in our fridge to the shoes on our…

Snap warning sinks social media stocks, erasing $180 billion in market value

Shares of Snap are trading below their 2017 IPO price of $17. 

Marketers Say Fear of ‘Getting it Wrong’ Is Holding Up More Diverse Ads

For advertisers, demonstrating inclusion and diversity in creative work is no longer optional–it’s an imperative. However, while 70% are planning to showcase greater diversity in their campaigns over the next 12 months, many say lack of expertise, knowledge and talent are barriers to improvement. The UN-backed Unstereotype Alliance, an industry-led initiative that seeks to eradicate…

Google Begins Global Rollout of YouTube Shorts Ads

YouTube Shorts took up a long portion of Google Marketing Live Tuesday. The Google-owned video site’s short video option is now averaging more than 30 billion views per day, and Google vice president and general manager of ads Jerry Dischler revealed during the event that ads in YouTube Shorts will gradually roll out to all…

AAPI Creative Spotlight: Resh Sidhu Is Charting a New Path in Augmented Reality

As the global director at Snap’s Arcadia Studio, the New York-based Resh Sidhu believes that shaping tomorrow means stretching the boundaries of our imaginations in the here and now. “From my early days as a graphic designer to leading Snap’s global Augmented Reality studio Arcadia, I’ve seen the power of world-class creative to disrupt the…

Jen Psaki Joins MSNBC as a Host and Commentator

Ms. Psaki, President Biden’s first press secretary, left her job at the White House this month.