Why Cole Haan Partnered With Slack to Make a Pandemic-Era Shoe

Like an estimated 638,000 other corporations out there, Cole Haan uses the instant-messaging app Slack to do what it does–which, since 1928, has been designing stylish footwear suitable for the office. Of course, many white-collar professionals have been absent from the office for a good six months now, a fact that’s been a kick in…

ThredUp Rebrands to Reflect a New Generation of Proud Thrifters

Since its launch in 2009, fashion resale platform ThredUp was focused on breaking down the stigmas associated with thrifting and sustainable fashion, operating with a mission of making secondhand clothing chic and trustworthy. A decade later, and ThredUp found itself wondering where to go next with the brand. Used clothing is not only a widely…

Peloton’s Head of Marketing Dara Treseder on Making Moves Centered on Your Passions

Prior to assuming her role as svp, head of global marketing at Peloton in August, Dara Treseder was a member of the fitness brand’s app, which offers a comprehensive library of wellness classes, and a member of two community Peloton groups. So, when the opportunity arose for her to join the executive marketing leadership team…

How a Difficult Reinvention Helped Colle McVoy Get on a New Business Hot Streak

Key Insights: Several structural changes built new processes and behaviors. Change and culture helps the agency show up differently in pitches and with clients. Much has been discussed and covered about the rapid change of agency models. The pandemic certainly accelerated some uncomfortable decisions, but most shops, big and small, were well on their way…

Index Exchange Adds a CMO and a Chief Commercial Officer to Its Ranks

Index Exchange is adding new positions to its C-suite, naming former Amazon executive Lori Goode as its CMO and former Criteo executive Jess Breslav as chief commercial officer. The supply-side platform is building out its leadership team as the industry faces a long road ahead, said CEO Andrew Casale, especially in adapting to the deprecation…

How Krispy Kreme Turned the Halloween That Wasn’t Into a Marketing Opportunity

With the CDC recommending family-only pumpkin carving and virtual costume contests in lieu of traditional trick-or-treating because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear that this Halloween will be a holiday like no other–scary, perhaps, for all the wrong reasons. And while candy sales have been healthy, only 66% of Americans say they will go door-to-door…

Scream Out the Vote; Big Tech Hit with Damning Antitrust Report: Wednesday’s First Things First

Welcome to First Things First, Adweek’s daily resource for marketers. We’ll be publishing the content to First Things First on Adweek.com each morning (like this post), but if you prefer that it come straight to your inbox, you can sign up for the email here. Scream Remake Doubles as a Get-Out-the-Vote Ad, With 2020 as…

Why Acorn’s CEO Is Looking to the Gaming Industry for His Next Hire

Consumers have known for the last decade or so that using social media is habit-forming and addictive. It’s designed so audiences keep scrolling, which is especially common in a year rife with seemingly endless breaking news. Now, financial technology brands want in on these internal mechanics and product designs to make the simple act of…

King Arthur’s First Campaign Since Its Rebrand Showcases the Joys of Baking Together

When the coronavirus crisis sent U.S. businesses and schools into lockdown in March, quarantining consumers of all ages and experience levels began donning aprons and baking their anxieties away, opting to produce their own sourdough, focaccia and challah instead of going the store-bought route. As a result of the DIY bread craze, King Arthur Flour…

New Campaign Urges People to Slow Down for Breakfast, Instead of Diving Right Into the Day

How many of us are guilty of rolling over and checking our emails and social feeds as soon as the alarm wakes us up? In an ever-demanding world, where many of us are balancing working from home with other responsibilities such as childcare and homeschooling, it can feel that everyone, all the time, wants a…

With France Back on High Covid-19 Alert, Burger King Creates Turbulent Airline Safety Parody

After devastating France (and other European countries) throughout spring and summer, it seemed the coronavirus crisis was finally being brought under control, with the number of deaths and new infections dipping following lockdown restrictions. But unfortunately, the rate of infection is once again growing across Europe, including in France, which has seen an exponential increase…

Verizon Looks Back at 6 Months of Communication Through Crisis

In the last six months, Verizon has done a lot: gaming on Tuesdays, music on Thursdays, a new initiative called Citizen Verizon and a 5G documentary–all in the time of forced change. In a recent Adweek webinar, John Nitti, svp and chief media officer of Verizon, recalls four things Verizon accomplished over the last several…

Uber Consolidates $190 Million Global Media Account With MediaCom

Uber is parking its entire global media buying and planning business with GroupM’s MediaCom. The appointment comes without a formal review process and acts as a consolidation for Uber, expanding an existing relationship with MediaCom. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, MediaCom will be responsible for handling all digital and offline brand media in active markets. MediaCom…

What All Marketers Can Learn From 57 CMO Instructors and 270 Executive Mentees

Leading through crisis. Empowering your teams. Investing in yourself. These are all challenges business leaders are faced with daily in an increasingly complex marketplace. But if there’s one thing leaders have learned in 2020, it’s that they can’t do it alone. That’s why Adweek reimagined our annual Brandweek event and incorporated a series of Masterclasses…

How a Successful Live Chat Can Make a Virtual Event Even More Successful

Adweek’s keystone annual summit was supposed to be a 4-day, in-person experience at the Intercontinental Miami, a luxurious downtown waterfront venue with an unbeatable view of the ocean and the city’s bustling port. Due to the pandemic, however, Brandweek 2020 was reimagined as a fully virtual event that did not scrap the charm–nor the possibility…

Google Continues to Court Advertisers in Face of Antitrust Suit

While Google faces a reportedly imminent antitrust case, the company is rolling out more products to attract advertisers from businesses of all sizes. The U.S. Department of Justice and states’ attorneys general are reportedly set to file suit against Google alleging monopolistic practices by next week, according to Politico. At the same time, Google is…

Poo-Pourri Launches a Bidet That Promises to Be ‘a Spa Day for Your Butt’

Poo-Pourri, the brand that made it safe–and inoffensive–to do your business in bathrooms everywhere, is introducing a new product that’s a logical line extension. It’s launching a bidet which is, in the words of the cheeky cult-favorite brand, “a spa day … for your butt.” The Poo-Pourri bidet, an eco-friendly toilet attachment, aims to give…

Send Noods; Oktoberfest Lives On: Tuesday’s First Things First

Welcome to First Things First, Adweek’s daily resource for marketers. We’ll be publishing the content to First Things First on Adweek.com each morning (like this post), but if you prefer that it come straight to your inbox, you can sign up for the email here. Kraft Wants You to ‘Send Noods’ to Your Loved Ones…

VMLY&R Hires Havas Vet as CCO for Health Practice

VMLY&R appointed Aug? Reichenberg as CCO of its health practice, hiring her away from competitor Havas Health & You. In the role, Reichenberg will be tasked with overseeing creative for health clients including AstraZaneca, GSK, Merck, Pfizer and Sanofi. She will report to VMLY&R New York CEO and VMLY&R North America co-CCO Jason Xenopoulos, who…

McDonald’s Partners With Another Music Star—J Balvin—for a Custom Meal

J Balvin is an international icon, award-winning reggaeton star and one of the best-selling Latin music artists. Now, he has another honor to his name: having a McDonald’s meal named after him. His go-to order? A Big Mac with no pickles, medium fries with ketchup and an Oreo McFlurry. “As a longtime McDonald’s fan, I…