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What Were 2020’s Best Marketing Moments? Cast Your Votes
The Moldy Whopper. Nike’s split-screen masterpiece. Ocean Spray capitalizing on Nathan Apodaca’s viral TikTok. Nineteen Eighty Fortnite. These iconic brand moments are among those that have come to define marketing in 2020—but which one do YOU think had the most impact? Over the next couple of weeks on Twitter and Instagram, you’ll find daily #AdOfTheYear polls that will determine the Reader’s Choice honoree.
Check out the full bracket of contenders here and learn how, where and when to vote.
What Marketing Trends to Expect in 2021
Change is likely to continue at breakneck speed in the coming year. Josh Cole, CMO of Sky Zone, took a look at the trends and themes that marketers need to keep an eye on in 2021. One key area of focus will be the new customer behaviors that will stick around into next year (and beyond) and which 2020 expectations might become less important over time. For example, will “ghost kitchens” continue to be a greater part of this new normal—and how will advertising need to adapt?
Also on the horizon: Marketers can expect to see more adaptations to social justice issues, a cookie-less future and more.
Motel 6 Names Barkley as Agency of Record After Dropping The Richards Group
Back in October, Motel 6 touched off a wave of backlash against The Richards Group when it fired the agency in reaction to a racist comment by founder Stan Richards. The moment led many other high-profile clients, including Keurig Dr. Pepper, The Salvation Army and The Home Depot, to drop the agency as well, after which Richards departed. Now, Motel 6 has found a new agency of record in Kansas City indie Barkley following a review.
A continued shift: The move also follows internal restructuring at Motel 6.
Related: Chicago-based agency Highdive has been named agency of record for auto insurance company The General, and selected as creative agency of record by candy brand Airheads.
Trump-Appointed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Will Leave His Post in January
Ajit Pai, who has been chairman of the FCC since 2017, announced that he’ll step down upon Joe Biden’s inauguration. In the role, Pai largely championed deregulation, overseeing the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint and rolling back net neutrality rules established during the Obama administration. He was also involved in Trump’s ineffective efforts to get the FCC to oversee social media platforms after the president claimed that they tended to censor public figures along party lines.
Here’s what Pai’s departure means for marketers.
Why Carmakers Are Getting Into Podcasts and Audio Marketing
Music, radio and the auto industry have been integrally intertwined for more than half a century. Now that connection is evolving as brands like Hyundai, Cadillac and Ford take aim at customer ears with more audio advertising on streaming services and podcasts. These campaigns have been elaborate, with partnerships that yield microsites, custom playlists, personalized videos and audio ads and more.
Aiming for millennials: Learn how Spotify and Volkswagen created an immersive “3D” audio experience.
More of Today’s Top News & Highlights:
- The Pandemic Doomed Walmart’s In-Store Robots
- How Connected TV and OTT Are Helping Marketers Reach a Wider Audience
- Former Wells Fargo CMO Joins Nielsen As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
- A Year After Launch, The Financial Times’ Consultancy Is Booming
This Relatable PSA, Set to Radiohead, Tells Kids It’s OK Not to Feel ‘Normal’
It’s tough to be a kid, navigating life and friendships when you’re still figuring out who you are—and that’s especially challenging amid a pandemic. That’s why nonprofit Childline and agency The Gate created a stop-motion ad set to Radiohead’s Creep to help out.
More of the Latest:
- Why We Need a ‘Bye Week’ in Corporate America
- Could Reishi Be the Leather Alternative Luxury Embraces?
- Santa Decides ‘You’ve Been Good Enough’ for 2020 in Virgin Hotels’ Forgiving Ads
- Bustle’s Virtual Shopping Event Might Fill the Holiday Pop-Up Void This Season
- Popeyes Hopes to Drive Tourism to Guadalajara With Chicken Sandwich Bait
- Ikea Pledges to Make 50% of Its Food Plant-Based, Reflecting a Shift in Consumer Diets
