Coming up on a year of limited social interactions and reasons to take a day off, Bud Light Seltzer, like other brands this spring, is encouraging people to take a little time for themselves with a new “Out of Office” variety pack of new drink flavors. 

Janna Ritzcovan Synovec, Head of Marketing at IBM Watson, would probably direct you to the AI Advertising Almanac.An infographic whose design harkens back to the books used by farmers of yore, talks about how technology is changing and how AI is opening up new possibilities for marketers, publishers and consumers.

Tom Carusona, CMO of Insomnia Cookies, talks about how the QSR pivoted their business during COVID as college campuses closed and their fanbase was back at home.

Interactive entertainment firm Zynga has acquired game studio Echtra Games, in a move to expand its cross platform game offerings. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Brand Innovators recently hosted an event on Marketing to the LGTBQ+ community. Executives from Mastercard, Diageo, Best Buy, Mondelez International, Procter & Gamble and Electronic Arts shared how their brands are working to connect with and empower this audience.

With ubiquitous mask use part of Americans’ daily lives for nearly a full year now, one would think the beauty trends from pre-pandemic times would have pivoted dramatically. But based on data from the independent salesforce at Mary Kay, Inc., the pioneering direct marketing beauty company founded by Mary Kay Ash in 1963, a few mainstays have yet to take a hiatus. 

Turkey Hill, the Pennsylvania-based ice cream and beverage brand has built itself on the idea of “deliciously uncomplicated moments at an affordable price.” The company is celebrating its 90th anniversary, and is releasing new products and a campaign to support the new line.

In many ways, The Gap’s new “Generation Good” marketing campaign is the brand reclaiming its roots of individual expression in service of bigger ideas. The campaign, which launched on the brand’s owned and social media channels this week and will see a mass media rollout in March, features several generations of activists, artists and other creators.

In a world of chaos and speed, Heinz is challenging consumers to slow down and enjoy the ordinary moments in life. With their new ‘Hold for Heinz’ campaign, the brand is taking their reputation for being the slowest-pouring ketchup to a whole new level.

Lexus has revealed a new car, the Gamers’ IS, the first vehicle designed by and for the Twitch community. Vinay Shahani, Vice President of Marketing at Lexus, talks about the brand's strategy.

Twitter has launched a redesign, reflecting the latest iteration of the brand. Derrit DeRouen, Creative Director, Global Brand at Twitter, talks about the inspiration behind the new look.

Jenifer Boyd Harmon, chief marketing officer at casual dining chain Ruby Tuesday, joined the brand in May 2019 with the mission of refreshing the brand and appealing to younger audiences. Brand Innovators caught up with her to discuss how the company has adapted during the pandemic and what is next on the menu for the brand.

As a leading platform for remote freelance talent from 160 countries, Fiverr was already equipped to handle the nearly universal pivot to a virtual workforce this past year – and saw double-digit revenue growth as a result of the digital transformation. But for Fiverr’s chief marketing officer Gali Arnon, the decision to translate that growth into a story for the company’s first Super Bowl campaign this year had to be a strategic one.

Brand Innovators kicked off the first event in a new monthly European livecast series last week, featuring speakers from Kraft Heinz, AB InBev, Electronic Arts, and Merlin Entertainments.

Facing a second subdued St. Patrick’s Day, Jameson Irish Whiskey is urging consumers to take a little time for themselves and celebrate (safely, distanced) with friends. The brand is encouraging would-be revelers to take a day off on March 17th, calling it “St. Patrick’s Day Time Off (SPTO).” With travel and vacations largely restricted, the brand wants to remind people that they may have accrued unused personal time. 

Executives from American Airlines, IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Expedia and Visa discuss the challenging last year for travel and what comes next.