Agency Execs Turned CMOs Share Tips for a Strong Brand-Agency Bond

When it comes to ideating and producing memorable creative today, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Many companies are building in-house creative departments in order to save on cost, move faster, ensure brand consistency across the entire customer journey, and encourage ideas from within. That said, it’s hard to argue that the…

Celebrating The Most Iconic Women Brand Mascots

If there’s one thing we love here at Adweek, it’s brand mascots, from the most notable to the obscure. For over a hundred years brands have been creating mascots to help market their products to consumers. This Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look back at some of the most iconic and enduring brand mascots…

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson Is Stepping Down After 5 Years

Kevin Johnson is retiring from his post as CEO of Starbucks next month. The coffee chain’s founder, Howard Schultz, will step back into the role on an interim basis. Johnson, 61, has served as CEO since 2017, when Shultz was the one relinquishing the role. At the time, Schultz said he was retiring as he…

People Love to Tattoo Brands on Their Bodies. Why They Do It Is Another Question

Should you ever want to talk with an expert on brand logos, it’s hard to do better than Jason George. A 30-year-old resident of Mumbai, George is not a CMO or even a marketer. He’s not even a consultant. Often called “the Human Billboard,” George is a tattoo artist who has covered most of the…

Miller Lite and Complexity Gaming Expand Partnership to Merchandise, Diverse Players Series

Texas-based Complexity Gaming just inked a one-year renewal and expansion of its partnership with Miller Lite as brands continue to grow their relationships with esports companies and teams. The companies plan to develop a limited-edition merchandise collection and create additional content, including a series centered on amplifying minority players. Complexity reported 22% growth in content…

The Golden Arches Theory May Yet Prove True in Russia’s War on Ukraine

The Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention appeared to crumble two weeks ago. But then, just like that, the idea sprang back to life, potentially with new meaning about brands’ power in a time of crisis. On March 8, McDonald’s temporarily shuttered its more than 800 Russian franchises. The fast food chain’s decision came amid…

Coke, Pepsi and Starbucks Halt Business in Russia

As pressure mounted, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Starbucks all announced today that they are pausing their business in Russia, joining a sprawling list of brands that are suspending any presence in the country during its invasion of Ukraine. The announcements from the three companies came within two hours of each other and followed closely behind that…

McDonald’s Closes All Stores in Russia But Pledges to Keep Paying 62,000 Employees There

McDonald’s is temporarily closing all of its restaurants in Russia amid calls for brands to cease operations and business with the country over its invasion of Ukraine. McDonald’s had 847 locations in Russia at the close of last year, according to an investor document. 84% of the restaurants are company-operated with the rest operated independently….

Fanatics Makes Culture and Entertainment Collectible With Zerocool

Sports trading cards are no longer just a cute hobby for kids. The global sports trading card market was valued at $13.8 billion in 2019, according to Research and Markets, and is projected to reach $98.7 billion by 2027. While interest in sports trading cards has existed for decades, there’s little knowledge about how similar…

Telefónica Enters the Age of Digital Connectivity With Its Rebrand

“It was our logo that was designed for another purpose,” explains Rafael Fern?ndez de Alarc?n Az?n, global director of brand at Telef?nica, discussing the work that has gone into one of the world’s largest telecommunications providers’ latest master rebrand, its first since 1998. Unveiled last April, the new branding signals to shareholders Telef?nica’s plans for…

8 in 10 Americans Think Brands Should Stop Doing Business in Russia

Multiple companies, from Apple to WPP, have ceased operations in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. And that sits well with the American public. In total, 82% of U.S. adults feel brands should stop doing business in Russia, according to data analytics firm YouGov, which polled 2,000 people on March 3. Only 10% of…

America’s Biggest Brands Are Pulling Out of Russia, But It’s Not All About Taking a Stand

Apple turned heads earlier this week when it announced that it would be pulling out of Russia in the wake of that country’s invasion of Ukraine. In a statement, Apple expressed its “deep concern” over the conflict and pledged to “stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence.”…

Esports Brands Reevaluate Relationships With Russian Entities

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, many gaming and esports brands have taken a public stance, whether through condemnations or donations. Events have been postponed and partnerships with Russian and Belarusian companies broken off. Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has used Twitter to call on all game developers and esports platforms to…

Visa Names Former BuzzFeed, BlackRock Marketing Lead Frank Cooper III Global CMO

Following Visa’s November 2021 news that Lynne Biggar was preparing to step down as global CMO after six years, the financial services brand is handing the marketing reins to Frank Cooper III. Cooper will start the job in May, but Visa is already working on the transition. He joins Visa after five years as managing…

A Toast to the Feminine ‘Spirit’

“There’s something missing here.” That’s ever the observation at the heart of invention. In the world of wine and spirits, three female-founded brands regarded the void specific to category. One asked, “Why are the only vodka brands within easy recall the same ones that have been dominating shelves for decades?” Another wondered if a wine…

Apple Pauses Business in Russia, Adding Pressure to Major Marketers Staying Silent

Apple’s move to “pause” doing business in Russia in reaction to its invasion of Ukraine may be viewed as merely political, considering the enormity of Western government sanctions against the former Soviet state. But as brands know, symbols carry their own particular potency. The Cupertino tech giant joined Nike and Google as the two other…

How Yeti Is Keeping Cool in an Age of Disruption

From a cooler to a full-blown lifestyle brand that outdoor enthusiasts can’t seem to get enough of, Yeti seems to have a product for everything these days from drinkware and bags to hats, shirts and stickers. And there are no plans to slow down as the company continues to reach new heights by experimenting with…

Shell Follows BP by Withdrawing From Russia as Ukraine Invasion Intensifies

Shell Oil is abandoning its energy deal with Russia’s primary energy company as Western leaders take a united stance against the country’s military attack on Ukraine. The Houston-based energy company said it would exit its joint ventures with Russian energy conglomerate Gazprom and its subsidiaries on Monday. Shell’s announcement came a day after BP said…

Exclusivity Reserved: How Resy Helps American Express Grab a Table at the Hardest-to-Get Restaurants

A commitment to exclusivity is an essential quality of any lasting relationship. As the three-year anniversary of American Express’s acquisition of restaurant reservations platform Resy approaches this spring, the promise of exclusive access to merchants and dining patrons is at the heart of both brands’ symbiotic marketing strategy. In July 2021, Resy and Amex became…

Pokémon Catches Absurdity and Nostalgia in Reality TV-Inspired Social Ad Campaign

Many video game commercials follow the same formula. A family sits at home in their living room playing a video game with minimal dialogue. It serves the purpose of showcasing gameplay but can be stale. For its new release of Pok?mon Legends: Arceus on the Nintendo Switch, the EMEA marketing team in the London office…