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Could Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Build the World’s Most Valuable Brand?
Since she became the Duchess of Sussex, nearly everything Meghan Markle has touched has increased value exponentially—from the pair of skinny jeans she wore in Cardiff, Wales, to the Strathberry handbag that sold out in 11 minutes after she was seen carrying it. Since she and Prince Harry announced that they’re “stepping back” from their roles as senior members of the royal family, many have been wondering how their brand will evolve. They’ve said that they plan to become financially independent from the crown, leading many to assume that monetizing their brand will become more than just an opportunity—it’ll be a necessity.
Snoop Dogg Gets Behind the Counter for Beyond Meat and Dunkin’
At a Dunkin’ in Los Angeles last week, Snoop Dogg donned an apron and visor to spend the day behind the counter in his latest stunt for Beyond Meat, the faux meat rising star that he’s invested in as well as serving as a frequent brand spokesperson. This time, he stood in as “employee of the month,” serving up Dunkin’s new Beyond Sausage Sandwich to a very surprised clientele. Along with a hidden camera-style spot, Snoop presides over an online apparel shop (he made the merch selections) and a week-long “menu hack” called the Beyond D-O-Double G sandwich that consists of Beyond Sausage, egg and cheese served on a sliced glazed donut.
Google Kills the Cookie, Leaving Digital Media Companies Craving a New Way Forward
Following the announcement that Google will be phasing out third party cookies on its popular web browser, Chrome, Adweek’s Ronan Shields took a deep dive into what this means for digital media companies—is it the “cookie-pocalypse,” or a new dawn for an industry that’s struggled through a difficult transition to digital?
Several industry executives weighed in on the announcement, expressing their disappointment with the decision, predicting a mass reevaluation of or doubling down on data strategy. For Mathieu Roche, CEO of ID5, the next two years will be characterized by “madness and transition” as the industry devises an entirely new infrastructure.
Read more: “In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king,” Roche said.
YouTube Will Double Its Original Programming in 2020, Focusing on Documentaries
Last May, YouTube made a major shift to its original programming strategy, putting all of its original shows free in front of its paywall and streaming them with advertising—a movie that was inspired by an Adweek cover story on Cobra Kai, YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl said last May. Less than a year later, the platform has plans to double its original output while continuing to offer both ad-supported (free) and ad-free (subscription) options.
“We are really pleased with this new direction and for what it means for our fans and for our business,” YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels said at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif.
Best of the Rest: Today’s Top News and Insights
- Even Apple TV+’s Biggest Stars Don’t Know How Their Shows Are Doing
- Consumer Demand for Better Packaging Might Just Save the Planet
- U.S. Advertising and Marketing Spend to Grow to Nearly $390 Billion in 2020
- Amazon is Reportedly Developing a Hand-Scanning Payment Option
- Phenomenon CCO Departs for Observatory
- Journal House Returns to Davos as WSJ Expands Experiential Marketing
- Doritos Super Bowl Teaser Stars Sam Elliott, Who Has His Horses in the Back
Ad of the Day: A Sea Turtle Family’s Journey Highlights Habitat Destruction in Aardman’s Touching PSA
In a new spot for Greenpeace U.K., a claymation sea turtle tells us, with tears in his eyes, about a trip his family recently took back home. The turtle has the telltale wide mouth and bug-ish eyes of Aardman Animations, most famous for creating the Wallace and Gromit stop-motion films. As the father turtle recounts the voyage, we see wee little turtle kids bickering in the car and a few detours, but eventually it becomes clear that something more sinister than the usual traveling woes was at bay. As the arrive at their home, they realize—too late—that their part of the ocean floor has been slated for destruction, and as the machinery comes through, their youngest doesn’t escape in time.
Six of seven sea turtle species is facing extinction as a result of this kind of industry, Greenpeace tells us. For the PSA, Greenpeace recruited the voice talents of Academy Award-winning actors Olivia Colman and Dame Helen Mirren, Game of Thrones’ Bella Ramsey, Stranger Things’ David Harbour, Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter, and comedian Ahir Shah.
