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After a pitch, Skechers has selected Horizon Global (a joint venture of Havas Media Network and Horizon Media) as its global media partner, covering 31 markets. The brand will leverage its AI-driven BluConverged offering to enhance omnichannel capabilities, with the first advertising campaigns expected to launch later in 2026.
Gap announced a collaboration with model and entrepreneur Hailey Bieber to launch 'The Hailey Jean,' a limited denim capsule collection inspired by 90s nostalgia, particularly paying homage to 1996. The collection includes two relaxed-fit jeans styles, priced at $89, and will be released on Thursday at 12:00 PM ET. The accompanying campaign was produced by Bolded, a division of OBB Media, and will be rolled out across multiple channels. This move continues Gap's success in the denim category, with same-store sales up 10% in the first quarter of 2026, marking the tenth consecutive quarter of positive growth.
An Upside survey of 3,400 consumers shows that although 86% of respondents consider loyalty rewards important, the actual frequent usage rates for grocery, fuel/convenience store, and restaurant loyalty programs are only 59%, 49%, and 38%, respectively. EY experts point out that program design needs to go beyond heavy users, focus on mid-tier consumers, and boost engagement through instant incentives and personalized experiences.
Samsung and Liquid I.V. have leveraged the release of 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' to launch integrated marketing campaigns set in New York. As the film's exclusive hydration partner, Liquid I.V. released an ad featuring actor Jacob Batalon and introduced two limited-edition co-branded products. Samsung continued its Spidey Tracker web experience, showcasing the durability and AI features of its foldable phones through creative short films. Both campaigns emphasize product selling points and leverage the superhero IP to boost brand visibility.
Neutrogena announced the launch of its 'Break the Rules' brand platform, aiming to guide consumers away from skincare myths found in social media, AI tools, and peer advice through dermatologist-verified scientific solutions. The platform's initial campaign focuses on retinol ingredients, running across television and digital channels, and will later integrate creator collaborations and offline experiences such as the Lollapalooza music festival to reinforce the brand's professional positioning in science-based skincare.
AI is maturing far faster than organizational capabilities are being built. At the 2024 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, several CMOs admitted to InMarket's Chief Marketing Officer Natalie Bastian that the industry has clearly fallen behind in accountability. Sanjna Parulekar, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Salesforce, stated, "The pilot is over; everyone is in production." However, Forrester 2024 data shows that 64% of B2B marketing leaders do not trust their organization's measurement systems. This article analyzes the causes of this "accountability gap" and proposes five actionable organizational recommendations to help CMOs turn AI investments into verifiable business outcomes.
Through the "Back to the Hut" campaign, Pizza Hut allows members to participate in brand knowledge quizzes to win rewards, and introduces Dinner Service NY collaborative apparel and a Throwback Value Menu. This initiative is part of the "Hut Originals" platform, aiming to attract adult consumers with nostalgia while emphasizing value for money. Prior to the campaign's launch, Yum Brands had agreed to sell the chain for $2.7 billion.
After rising to fame in 2012 with a $4,000 video, Dollar Shave Club recently spent only $400 to create the most successful advertising campaign in its brand history using generative AI. Chief Brand and Innovation Officer Laura Higgins stated that the company will continue to fully embrace AI to accelerate marketing processes and reduce costs. The latest AI advertisement, "Danglers," promotes its Ball Spray product, while the brand is returning to its early irreverent style and exploring new models of collaboration with external agencies.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) released the second part of its video ad spending report, noting that while US connected TV (CTV) ad spending is expected to grow 11% to $29.3 billion this year, advertisers' trust in CTV inventory quality remains low: 43% of buyers express 'partial or complete distrust' in inventory under trusted purchasing methods such as programmatic guaranteed, while distrust in open exchange and real-time bidding exceeds two-thirds. The report attributes the trust gap to invalid traffic and opaque inventory sourcing, and reveals even lower trust in retail media networks (59% distrust). Meanwhile, targeting capabilities and live content are emerging as new focal points influencing purchasing decisions.
M+C Saatchi North America announced the establishment of a dedicated entertainment marketing business, hiring former WME executive Jen Bacchus as its head. This move follows the trend of rebounding demand for brand content and entertainment partnerships, and builds on the company's recent integration of its North American operating model.