MobiKwik Joins Rajasthan Royals as Official Payments Partner for IPL 2026
MobiKwik has become the official payments partner of the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026, marking its first sports sponsorship. The partnership includes co‑branded campaigns, on‑ground activations and integration of UPI, loan and credit services across fan‑engagement touchpoints. MobiKwik aims to capture the tournament’s massive youth audience and boost digital‑payment usage during match days. The deal signals the fintech’s strategic push into high‑visibility branding within India’s premier cricket league.
How Sportsbooks Plan to Turn Bracket-Mania Into Long-Term Betting Interest
Sportsbooks are leveraging March Madness to turn casual bracket participants into long‑term bettors. BetMGM and Fanatics deployed former college athletes—Haley and Hanna Cavinder and gymnast Livvy Dunne—as social‑first influencers to attract younger, especially female, audiences. The campaigns combine digital content,...
How Cashfree Payments’ ‘One of Your Kind’ Brand Campaign Is Forcing Us to Look at Businesses Differently
Cashfree Payments launched the "One of Your Kind" brand campaign, showcasing real Indian merchants like BigBasket, RedBus and Third Wave Coffee instead of generic product demos. The film emphasizes each merchant’s unique challenges and how Cashfree’s tailored payment solutions helped them...
Brand Safety in Influencer Marketing: Why AI Is Now the Only Answer at Scale
Brand safety has moved from a low‑priority checkbox to a strategic imperative for influencer marketers, especially after Meta scaled back its third‑party fact‑checking in early 2025. While only 5 % of brands cite safety as their top challenge, a staggering 63 %...
Metals, Models and Mandates: Decoding the Cultural Translation of Modern Marketing
Oura, the Finnish maker of premium smart rings, is launching its recovery‑focused wearable in India, positioning the device as a fashion status symbol rather than a step counter. Chief Marketing Officer Doug Sweeny is shifting the narrative from bio‑hacking metrics...
Mercedes-Maybach Takes to Driver’s Seat for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’
Mercedes‑Maybach has launched “The Art of Arrival,” a global, 360‑degree campaign tied to the upcoming film *The Devil Wears Prada 2*. The partnership revives a two‑decade‑old product‑placement link, featuring a custom short film and exclusive footage of the new 2026 Maybach S‑Class. The...
The Battle for Attention on CTV: Premium Video Platforms Vs. YouTube
Connected TVs will be in 83% of U.S. households by 2027, prompting advertisers to lift CTV spend, with 70% planning a 17% increase in 2026. A VAB‑TVision study of 21 premium video platforms versus YouTube measured hard‑working impressions—co‑viewing, attention, and...
How to Turn the Insights You Already Have Into Better Commercial Outcomes
A global beauty brand shifted a large portion of its media budget to influencer and social channels to win Gen Z, but sales stalled despite higher engagement. The post‑campaign analysis showed the brand ignored existing consumer research that highlighted the continued...
China's AI Chatbots Are Advanced and Versatile — and Begging for More Users
Chinese tech giants are turning AI chatbots into transaction hubs, pouring over $1.1 billion into Lunar New Year promotions to spark user adoption. The giveaways drove record daily active users—Qwen hit 73.5 million on Feb 7 and Doubao surged past 144 million during the...
The Most Respectful Thing a Brand Can Say Is “No”
Brands that simply ignore customer feedback erode trust, but a well‑explained “no” can reinforce respect and loyalty. By treating input as evidence rather than a vote, companies can close the feedback loop with a brief, transparent note that outlines the...
Superdry CEO on Transforming Its Core Consumer and Bringing Back Bench
Superdry CEO Julian Dunkerton announced the relaunch of the Bench label, partnering with his teenage daughter to co‑design the new collection. The move is aimed at revitalizing Bench’s streetwear heritage while appealing to Gen Z consumers. Dunkerton said the strategy...
Why Tech Startups Are Pivoting to Localised Digital Marketing in 2026
Tech startups are abandoning broad, global ad campaigns in favor of hyper‑local digital marketing as venture capitalists demand early profitability. Rising customer acquisition costs in 2026 make generic outreach inefficient, prompting founders to target specific geographic markets. Partnerships with local...
Guardian’s First Substack Experiment Is Republishing Food Newsletter
The Guardian is piloting Substack by cross‑publishing its weekly food newsletter, Feast, which boasts over 100,000 subscribers and an almost 70% open rate. The experiment is part of the multi‑year Project Berger transformation plan to make the newsroom more visual,...
The Changi Experience: Inside One of Aviation’s Most Recognised Brands
Singapore Changi Airport is redefining itself from a high‑efficiency hub to a branded destination, embedding personalized experiences, extensive connectivity and sustainability into its core identity. The airport’s marketing team leverages AI, data analytics and a real‑time digital platform to deliver...
As Customer Journeys Fragment Across AI and Chat, Contentsquare Adds New Analytics Tools. Here’s What’s New
Contentsquare has expanded its digital analytics platform with tools that surface interactions with large language models, on‑site chat, and support channels. An out‑of‑the‑box dashboard now reports LLM traffic share and conversion, while the acquisition of conversation‑intelligence firm Loris adds sentiment,...
Vanity-Led Demand: Vitagen Taps Female Audience with Beauty-Focused Drinks
Malaysia Dairy Industries is targeting women over 25 with Vitagen Collagen Less Sugar, a probiotic drink that adds marine collagen and vitamin C while cutting sugar. The product leverages the growing vanity‑led demand for functional beauty, positioning gut health and skin...
How to Build an Award-Winning Social Media Campaign
The ET Trendies Awards recognize India’s most viral and effective influencer and social‑media campaigns, judging impact, brand metrics, and business results. Winners start with a human insight‑driven story, then choose a single platform—Instagram Reels, YouTube, or X—and tailor content to...
Google Gemini Sends More Traffic To Sites Than Perplexity: Report via @Sejournal, @MattGSouthern
Google Gemini more than doubled its referral traffic to websites between November and January, posting a combined 115% gain after the Gemini 3 rollout. In January Gemini sent 29% more visitors than Perplexity worldwide and 41% more in the U.S., reversing...
Pinterest Bets Measurement and SMBs Will Boost Performance Revenue
Pinterest has reorganized its monetization team, appointing Vik Gupta as VP and GM of Monetization and Sumanth Jagannath as VP of Measurement. The duo will fuse product, engineering and data‑science functions to tighten ad measurement and attribution, targeting greater spend...
What to Look for and How to Measure Your Brand’s Algorithmic Presence
Brands are increasingly discovered through AI assistants that synthesize digital footprints, shifting the focus from traditional SEO to Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Google AI Overviews now drive the majority of chatbot-to-website referrals, shaping consumer perception...
Melbourne Holocaust Museum Appoints TAG to Elevate Social Strategy
The Melbourne Holocaust Museum has engaged digital growth consultancy TAG to overhaul its social media strategy, emphasizing a purpose‑driven, future‑focused approach. The partnership will spotlight the museum’s corporate engagement programs, aiming to deepen business‑sector understanding of Holocaust history and prejudice....
Lululemon Taps EVH as Australian PR and Communications Agency
Lululemon has appointed EVH as its Australian public‑relations and communications agency, effective immediately. The partnership follows two high‑profile campaigns featuring global ambassadors Min Woo Lee and Lewis Hamilton that boosted brand visibility. Lululemon now operates 38 stores across Australia, a market it entered...
Australian Eggs Reclaims Its ‘OG’ Status in Satirical Big Chocolate Social Film via Liquid Ideas
Australian Eggs refreshed its "The Easter OG" platform for 2026 with a social‑first hero film created by Liquid Ideas. The satirical "Big Chocolate" boardroom spot positions real eggs as the original Easter hero and underscores a dual‑play with chocolate. The...
Why Toyota Ditched The Blue Badges For Its Hybrids
Toyota has phased out its iconic blue‑halo hybrid badge, replacing it with a new HEV logo and a blue‑dot emblem that signals the company’s Beyond Zero electrification strategy. The change coincides with the launch of a more powerful fifth‑generation Camry...
Aldi Australia Embraces Zen of Low Prices in New BMF Campaign
Australian discount grocer Aldi has launched the “Aldi Prices” campaign, created by BMF, featuring a guru‑like figure reassuring shoppers that prices are already low. The ad rolls out across TV, digital, radio and social, positioning low price as the brand’s...
RSL Queensland Declares ‘The ANZAC Spirit Lives Here’ in New Work via Rumble Strategic Creative
RSL Queensland has launched a new ANZAC Day campaign in partnership with independent agency Rumble Strategic Creative. The initiative features five hero films that translate the timeless values of mateship, respect, sacrifice, tradition and community into contemporary stories. Distributed across...
GumGum Reveals The Land Down Under To Be A Strong ‘Growth Market’ For Contextual Ads
GumGum’s chief revenue officer says Australia is a strong growth market for its contextual advertising platform, citing the nation’s high per‑capita digital ad spend of $769 per person and $568 per internet user. The company’s Attentive Lift solution, launched globally...
LinkedIn Will No Longer Allow Real-Time Livestreams
LinkedIn announced that, starting June 22, 2026, all LinkedIn Live broadcasts must be scheduled in advance, ending the ability to stream spontaneously. The platform allows short‑notice scheduling, letting users set a start time minutes before going live. The change follows...
LinkedIn Will No Longer Allow Real-Time Live Streams
LinkedIn announced that, effective June 22, 2026, members can no longer start live streams spontaneously; all broadcasts must be scheduled in advance, though events can be set up minutes before airing. The change follows a 24 % quarter‑over‑quarter rise in LinkedIn events and...
Tooheys Ultra Highlights ‘The Sliding Schooner’ In Campaign Via Thinkerbell
Tooheys Ultra has launched a new multi‑channel campaign created by Thinkerbell, centered on a sliding schooner visual that symbolizes the beer’s smooth, low‑carb profile. The spot features Australian cricket legend Mike Whitney and indie band Dune Rats, tying the brand’s historic jingle...
Meta’s Next Subscription Package Could Boost Instagram Performance
Meta is poised to launch a new Instagram Plus subscription package, adding premium features to its app. Potential add‑ons include Story Extend, Story rewatches, Story spotlight, linkable captions, and Reels download. The move builds on Meta Verified, which helped generate...
EXCLUSIVE: Karl Stefanovic Takes His Podcast to the Streets with ‘Ridiculous’ Billboard Push
Karl Stefanovic’s eponymous podcast, The Karl Stefanovic Show, launched in January and is now backed by a bold out‑of‑home campaign across Queensland. Partnering with outdoor agency Bishopp, the show’s team installed a series of irreverent billboards that mirror the program’s...
How Amy Liu Built Tower 28 Into One of Sephora’s Fastest-Growing Skincare Brands
Amy Liu founded Tower 28 in 2019 and has turned it into one of Sephora’s fastest‑growing skincare lines. The brand’s entire portfolio follows the National Eczema Association’s ingredient guidelines, and its SOS Rescue set carries seals from the NEA, Psoriasis Foundation...
6 Simple LinkedIn Engagement Strategies When You Don’t Know What to Post
LinkedIn now rewards personal engagement over brand‑only posting, making consistent interaction essential for professionals. The article outlines six low‑effort tactics—such as using the My Network catch‑up prompts, replying to comments on past posts, and searching industry keywords—to stay visible without...
The Philippines Loves Jollibee. Overseas Filipinos Love It Even More
Jollibee has become a cultural anchor for the Filipino diaspora, offering familiar comfort food that bridges home and abroad. The chain now runs over 1,600 stores in 17 countries, including more than 80 locations in the United States. Brand Finance...
AI in Recruitment: Transforming Employer Branding and Talent Attraction Strategies
AI-driven creative platforms are reshaping employer branding by automating the production of job descriptions, social posts, visuals, and video content. Recruiters can generate multiple, platform‑specific variations in minutes, ensuring a unified tone and visual identity. Personalization at scale, powered by...
Windows Wrap — 4 Steps to Save the Surface Brand
Microsoft is poised to unveil new Surface devices this spring, but industry analysts warn that the timing is poor for current‑generation buyers. The article argues that Surface’s fragmented launch schedule, processor‑specific feature gating, and lack of standout design risk eroding...
From Reviews to Revenue: Proactive Guest Feedback Strategy Leads to Loyalty and Sales Growth
Restaurant operators are shifting from reactive review replies to proactive guest insight collection using QuickFeedback’s QR‑code system. The platform lets diners submit anonymous, real‑time comments without logging in, feeding data directly to managers. AI then clusters feedback into trends, highlighting...
Heidi Sturrock Shares How a Costly Mistake Became a Competitive Advantage
Heidi Sturrock recounts a costly broad‑match error that flooded a B2B SaaS client’s call centre with competitor complaints after a Friday launch. The client turned the crisis into a revenue opportunity by offering switchers a 50% discount and splitting the...
Why Can’t TikTok Identify AI Generated Ads when I Can?
TikTok requires advertisers to label content that is significantly altered by AI, yet enforcement appears uneven. Samsung’s AI‑generated Galaxy S26 Ultra ads are disclosed on YouTube but lack any AI label on TikTok, suggesting a gap in the platform’s verification...
DIGITAL MARKETING: Four Types of Google Ads that Work Best for Estate Agents
Estate agents looking to launch paid campaigns should focus on four Google Ads formats—Search, Display, Video, and Local. Search ads target keyword intent, while Display ads use visual placements across the Google Display Network. Video ads leverage YouTube to tell...
Retail Reinvention: How Heritage Fashion Brands Are Expanding in a Digital Era
Heritage fashion houses such as Burberry, Chanel and Louis Vuitton are reshaping their business models for the digital age, building dedicated e‑commerce channels and partnering with curated online platforms. While Indian luxury shoppers still prefer tactile, in‑store experiences for high‑value...
OpenAI's US Ad Pilot Exceeds $100 Million In Annualized Revenue In Six Weeks
OpenAI's ChatGPT advertising pilot in the United States has reached an annualized revenue of $100 million after just six weeks, signaling strong early demand. Approximately 85 % of users are eligible to see ads, yet fewer than 20 % are exposed daily, indicating...
Xbox Drops a Bunch of 25th Anniversary Merch and Signals a Major Vibe Shift at Microsoft
Xbox celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching a retro‑inspired apparel collection with streetwear label 73Studio, featuring four graphic tees and a heavyweight zip hoodie. Prices start at $39 for shirts and $95 for the hoodie, and the line is sold...
Livguard Joins Punjab Kings as Exclusive Power Partner for IPL 2026
Livguard has signed an exclusive power partnership with Punjab Kings for IPL 2026, securing jersey placement and a suite of fan‑engagement activations. The deal positions Livguard’s portfolio—ranging from inverters and batteries to rooftop solar—before the league’s massive Indian audience. With...
Fresh Off Travis Kelce Partnership Announcement, Sleep Number Unveils Redesigned Mattress Portfolio
Sleep Number, fresh from its strategic partnership with NFL star Travis Kelce, has launched a revamped mattress portfolio featuring seven models across three collections. The lineup includes five brand‑new designs, with the high‑end Climate collection discounted 10% and the innovative...
Architecting Culture: Sasha Brookner Defines Influence In The Next Era
Sasha Brookner, founder of Helio Brand Group, has redefined the publicist role into a “brand‑deal architect” who aligns talent, brands, and audiences across fragmented media. She argues that mere press coverage no longer drives cultural relevance; instead, strategic partnerships that...
How Email Marketing for Automotive Businesses Drives Leads and Sales
Email marketing, though long‑standing, remains underutilized in the automotive sector, yet it now drives measurable leads and sales as buyers research vehicles online before visiting showrooms. By embedding sign‑up forms on dealer sites and deploying automated nurture sequences, dealerships can...
KPIs Are Cringe: Why the Old Rules of Branding Are Dying in 2026
Marketers are abandoning multi‑year plans in favor of ultra‑short, culture‑driven tactics as consumer attention fragments faster than ever. Brands like MAC and Bobbie are leveraging viral personalities and “vibe” marketing to spark emotional purchases, while traditional KPIs are deemed outdated....
Sunglass Hut Bets on Ray-Ban Exclusive Capsule
Sunglass Hut is rolling out an exclusive Ray‑Ban capsule, featuring four reimagined silhouettes in white frames with gray polarized lenses. The collection, which includes the Zena and Mega Wayfarer II models, will debut globally this week and reach U.S. stores in...
