Starbucks Forgot the Power of Hospitality. Here’s How It Plans to Reclaim It
Starbucks, once famed for its "third place" hospitality, has shifted toward a fully transactional model driven by mobile ordering and unmanned pickup shelves. The change has stripped away personal touches like handwritten names and barista‑customer interactions, turning visits into silent, efficiency‑focused exchanges. Executives acknowledge the erosion of experience and are now outlining a strategy to re‑inject human connection, reviving the warm, community‑centric atmosphere that justified premium pricing. The plan emphasizes staff empowerment, redesigned store layouts, and technology that supports, rather than replaces, personal service.
What Two Adopted Puppies Taught Me About Breaking Through the Noise
At the International Franchise Association convention, a booth partnered with a local shelter to feature adoptable puppies, turning a standard trade‑show stall into an emotional magnet. The presence of the puppies instantly slowed foot traffic, sparked spontaneous conversations, and even...
Pernod Ricard Seeks to Nurture Premium Whiskey Blender’s Pride with Fashion, New Campaign on ‘Success’
Pernod Ricard has unveiled a new advertising campaign for its premium Indian whisky, Blender’s Pride. The campaign features three Indian actresses and models, linking the spirit to fashion, success, and contemporary lifestyle. The initiative coincides with the appointment of Debasree Dasgupta...
India’s Summer Is No Longer a Season, It’s a Business Event: Anindya Ghosh on Summer Marketing
Anindya Ghosh, co‑founder of Sam and Andy, argues that India’s summer is no longer a three‑month season but a rapid, climate‑driven consumption event. He outlines the HEAT framework—Hyperlocal demand, Elastic consumption, Aspirational Bharat, and Time compression—to help brands adapt to...
OpenAI to Roll Out Ads for Free ChatGPT Users in the US
The Content India 2026 summit in Mumbai brought together creators, broadcasters and investors for a three‑day showcase of Indian television concepts, awarding £10,000 each to the winning projects Djinn Patrol and The Masala Quest. The event also released a Content India Trends Report...
Keeping the Human Touch: Using AI for Growth
Startups are rushing to adopt AI, but many treat it as a pure technology purchase rather than a workflow redesign. While AI tools are now inexpensive—often cheaper than a single LinkedIn ad—success hinges on clean data and clear problem definition....
Lacoste: Charm Offensives From Miami to the Shop Windows of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris
Lacoste is executing a dual‑track activation strategy, pairing the Miami Beach "Club Lacoste" tennis experience with a fashion‑focused pop‑up at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris. The Paris installation, dubbed "The Locker Room," transforms eleven storefront windows and two pop‑up spaces...
JSW MG Motor India Looks to Leverage on Non-Metros to Accelerate Sales of EV Windsor
JSW MG Motor India reports that 70% of its best‑selling EV, the Windsor, is sold in non‑metro markets, bringing cumulative sales to about 65,000 units since its October 2024 launch. The company’s 541 sales‑and‑service outlets, only 51 of which are in...
College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Full-Blown Media Companies
College athletic departments are transforming into full‑scale media enterprises, investing heavily in studios, podcasts, and digital studios to produce 24/7 content. Clemson’s 12,000‑square‑foot CAB facility operates as a profit‑center under Clemson Ventures, generating millions through licensing and branded partnerships. LSU’s...
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Social Media Marketing (SMM): What It Is, How It Works, Pros and Cons
Social media marketing (SMM) leverages platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn to build brands, boost sales, and drive website traffic. With more than 6 billion users worldwide as of October 2025, SMM offers unprecedented reach and granular targeting. Marketers measure success...
50% of Consumers Prefer Brands That Avoid GenAI Content
Gartner’s October 2025 survey of 1,539 U.S. adults reveals that 50% of consumers prefer brands that steer clear of generative AI in advertising and promotional content. Trust concerns are rising, with 61% regularly questioning the reliability of online information and...
Indriya Eyes 100-Plus Stores as Aditya Birla Jewellery Brand Bets on Fashion Credentials
Indriya, the Aditya Birla Group’s jewellery label, is accelerating its retail footprint from more than 55 stores to a projected 100‑plus locations, with a goal of surpassing 75 stores by the end of March. The brand is shifting its marketing mix...
The Sleep Company Signs MS Dhoni as Brand Ambassador
The Sleep Company has appointed cricket legend MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador, launching the "India Vs Peaceful Sleep" campaign to spotlight chronic sleep deprivation and promote eight hours of quality rest, backed by its patented Smartgrid mattress technology. In parallel,...
TECNO Partners with Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026 Helmet Branding Deal
TECNO Mobile has secured a branding partnership with Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026, placing its logo on the back of the team’s helmets. The deal expands the #TECNOGotYourBack platform into a high‑visibility, live‑broadcast environment. It also includes a slate...
Modern Retail Podcast: AI-Generated Review Summaries Could Upend Online Shopping
Generative AI is now creating condensed summaries of customer reviews that appear in AI‑powered search results such as Gemini, ChatGPT and Rufus. The Modern Retail Podcast discusses how these bot‑written snippets reshape product discovery and can strip essential context from...
AI Tool of the Week: This Google Tool Builds Ads, Photos, and Videos From Your Brand DNA
Google has unveiled Pomelli, an AI-driven tool that converts a brand’s website into a full‑stack marketing engine. By analyzing a brand’s DNA, Pomelli automatically creates Instagram posts, Facebook ads, product photos, and short videos within minutes. The service eliminates the...
Monet and Van Gogh Masterpieces Hit the Shampoo Aisle
Dove unveiled a limited‑edition hair‑care collection called “The Art of Repair,” featuring reproductions of Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt and Vincent Van Gogh masterpieces. The shampoo, conditioner and serum are sold exclusively through Walmart, with packaging designed to echo gallery settings. Dove frames the line...
Twitter’s Twentieth: It’s Complicated
Forrester research shows social media is now the second most meaningful source of information for B2B buyers, trailing only generative AI search tools. The article marks Twitter’s 20‑year anniversary, highlighting how its real‑time publishing created “now moments” that transformed brand...
VideoAmp Widens Cross-Platform Planner To Sirius XM, NCM
VideoAmp has broadened its VXP cross‑platform planner by adding first‑party data integrations with satellite radio giant Sirius XM and in‑theater advertising network National CineMedia (NCM). The move unifies audio and cinema audience metrics within a single planning tool, giving marketers a more...
Targeting Insomniacs, Sleep App ‘Rest’ Hijacks TikTok Shop Broadcasts in the Early Hours
Rest, a subscription sleep‑coach app that uses AI and cognitive‑behavioral therapy, launched its "Late Night Mistakes" awareness campaign on March 9 by hijacking TikTok Shop live broadcasts during the 2‑3 a.m. window. The brand partnered with roughly two dozen creators who received...
How Smart GovCons Increase Win Probability Before the Draft RFP Drops
Government contractors are shifting from post‑RFP hustle to disciplined pre‑RFP marketing, embedding capture, business development, and proposal teams months before a draft solicitation appears. By monitoring agency signals such as RFIs, industry days, and policy trends, firms craft win themes...
Study: Repurposed Traditional TV Ads for CTV Is a Missed Opportunity
A TripleLift study finds that 49 % of connected‑TV (CTV) ads still use traditional 15‑ and 30‑second spots designed for linear television, despite record streaming viewership and ad spend. High‑impact formats such as pause ads, overlays, and native units boost brand...
Celio: The Savvy Publicity Coup Propelling the Launch of Its Womenswear Range
Celio is rolling out its first dedicated womenswear line, using a clever “missing L” teaser that sparked a viral wave across social platforms. The campaign, orchestrated by Havas Paris, featured six high‑profile female influencers and amassed over 40 million organic impressions. Prices...
Consumers Are Divided Over This Dr Pepper-Inspired Sausage – And That’s the Point
Johnsonville introduced a Dr Pepper‑inspired sausage, available fresh and smoked, on March 1. The product was deliberately crafted to be divisive, sparking “low‑stakes disagreement” on social media and encouraging conversation around the brand. Partnering with Dr Pepper, the company seeks to...
The Future of Content Belongs to the Tastemakers
The piece argues that AI has turned content creation into a commodity, making editorial "taste" the new competitive edge. Brands that embed judgment—deciding what not to produce—avoid audience fatigue and preserve brand relevance. Senior editors and clear, flexible principles act...
Google Tightens Rules on Out-of-Stock Product Pages
Google Merchant Center now mandates that out‑of‑stock product pages display a visibly disabled, grayed‑out buy button instead of removing or keeping it active. The rule also requires a clear availability label—such as “out of stock” or “back order”—that matches the...
Google Business Profile Tests AI-Generated Replies to Reviews
Google is piloting an AI‑generated reply tool within its Google Business Profile platform, initially surfacing in the United States, Brazil and India. The feature suggests response drafts to customer reviews, which businesses can edit or publish directly, though rollout timing...
Is Marriott Preparing a New Brand? What Its Global Trademark Filings Reveal
Marriott has filed worldwide trademarks and secured web domains for a prospective brand called “Matter Hotels by Marriott.” The filings, spanning the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, cover hotel, spa, dining and entertainment services, indicating a full‑service concept. Executives have...
Roblox Moves to Take a Cut of All Brand Integrations on Its Platform | Exclusive
Roblox announced it will begin charging creators a fee for publishing brand integrations, with charges scaling based on user traffic and engagement, slated to roll out in 2027. The policy is presented as a move to standardize ad labeling, improve...
L'Or?al Drives Brand Awareness and Employee Engagement on Social Media with Sprinklr Advocacy
L'Oréal launched a global employee advocacy program powered by Sprinklr Advocacy, turning staff into brand ambassadors. Within 18 months the initiative generated over 33 million organic impressions and delivered a four‑fold return on investment. The pilot began in 2024 with 900...
How an Air Force Stint in South Korea Helped Make Chuck Norris a Uniquely American Brand
Chuck Norris’s six‑year Air Force service in South Korea forged his martial‑arts expertise and introduced a disciplined, patriotic image that later defined his public persona. The experience gave him a black belt and authentic combat credibility, which propelled his transition...
How Consumer Brands Can Win the Misinformation Wars
Consumer brands now face a relentless misinformation economy, where AI‑generated content, social media chatter, and rogue posts can trigger rapid brand crises. Misleading narratives spread across Reddit, X, TikTok and traditional outlets, forcing companies to allocate resources to constant monitoring...
Ditch the Discount, Says Brand Marketer
Cherene Aubert, founder of Growth Capital, advises D2C brands to stop discounting slow‑moving inventory and instead use bundles or free‑gift tactics that preserve margins. She recommends pairing a popular full‑price product with a discontinued item, allowing customers to perceive added...
The Art of Desire in Luxury Marketing
Luxury marketing hinges on creating desire rather than competing on price or promotions. Douglas Mandel explains the "Haute Couture Principle," where an unattainable apex—like a hand‑beaded gown or a Formula 1 program—sets the aspirational tone for all product tiers. Brands reinforce...
Adobe to Shut Down Marketo Engage SEO Tool
Adobe announced it will retire the SEO tile in Marketo Engage, effective March 31, 2026. The feature, considered low‑usage, will be removed on April 1, requiring customers to export any existing data. The move follows Adobe’s 2025 acquisition of Semrush, positioning the...
How Coca-Cola Embraces a Challenger Mindset to Market Mr. Pibb
Coca‑Cola has revived its spicy cherry soda, Mr. Pibb, after a two‑decade run as Pibb Xtra. The brand launched a national campaign featuring NBA legend Scottie Pippen to challenge the notion that the drink is “second best.” The 30‑second ad,...
How Breathe. Doubled Their Monthly Listeners on Spotify
Australian electronic duo Breathe., together with agency Group Speed, overhauled their Spotify presence by reactivating five‑year‑old catalog tracks and launching a data‑driven artist playlist. The playlist paired Breathe. with slightly larger, stylistically similar acts and was promoted through Spotify’s ad...
Depth Over Diversification: Inside 9shines’ Focused Category Strategy
9shines Label, founded in 2017, has built a D2C nightwear and comfort‑wear business around a single, well‑defined category. By prioritising breathable fabrics, inclusive sizing up to 7XL and functional details, the brand enjoys a near‑50% repeat purchase rate. Its hybrid...
McDonald’s LTOs Deliver Traffic Lift Ahead of the McValue 2.0 Launch – Placer.ai Blog
McDonald’s limited‑time offers (LTOs) – the Shamrock Shake and the pilot Big Arch Burger – generated modest, short‑lived traffic lifts, with visits up 5.5% YoY during the Shake launch week and 2.2% YoY for the Burger week. The gains evaporated quickly,...
Social Media Competitor Analysis: 3 Easy Steps to Improve Your Performance
Social media competitor analysis is essential for shaping a data‑driven digital strategy in 2025. The guide breaks the process into three steps: identifying direct and indirect rivals, analyzing their platforms, content, and engagement, and applying insights to improve your own...
Hispanic Consumers and Mobile In-Game Ads: Here’s What the Numbers Say
Portal Latino’s December 2025 survey of 1,691 Hispanic consumers reveals that 81% play mobile games weekly, with 61% gaming at least five days a week. Hispanic gamers show a strong appetite for culturally resonant titles, with 77% preferring games that reflect...
John Deere’s Archives Are Powering Its Modern-Day Marketing
John Deere’s heritage team is turning its extensive archives into a live content engine for marketing and PR. By surfacing vintage assets—like a historic snowmobile—the company generated over half a million Instagram likes and sparked engagement across platforms. The archivist...
Google Ads Creative Tools Expand, Microsoft Simplifies Bidding – PPC Pulse via @Sejournal, @Brookeosmundson
Google Ads has integrated the latest Nano Banana Pro AI generator and expanded its Creative Toolkit, giving advertisers free, in‑platform access to prompt‑based image creation, conversational editing, and a library of Google‑owned assets. The updates let marketers produce photo‑realistic visuals...
The Semantic SEO/GEO Revenue Equation: Best Practices for Building Global Content in the Age of AI Discovery
The article argues that AI‑driven search has shifted global demand generation from simple keyword translation to semantically rich content that machines can understand across languages and markets. It explains that traditional SEO tactics—high‑volume keywords and literal translations—often miss buyer intent,...
This Brand Broke the Biggest Rule of E-Commerce—And Made Customers 3.5x More Valuable
Huckberry’s newsletter, launched 15 years ago, includes external links to curated stories, defying the e‑commerce rule against outbound links. The brand treats customers as community members, offering entertainment, education, and connections beyond its product line. This content‑first approach yields customers...
Mastering Brand Management: Context, Strategies, and Real-World Examples
Brand management has become a core business discipline, turning reputation into measurable assets like brand equity that justify premium pricing and protect market share. Consistent visual identity, tone, and customer experience reinforce trust and align internal teams around a clear...
Customers Reject AI Slop: Don’t Let Automated Ads Ruin Your Retail Marketing Strategy
Retail marketers are facing backlash as AI‑generated ad “slop” erodes brand trust. Recent incidents like Blue Apron’s gibberish copy highlight consumer rejection of low‑quality automated content, now dubbed Merriam‑Webster’s 2025 Word of the Year. While platforms such as Meta and...
How to Make Your Business Stand Out in only 30 Minutes
MyBroadband’s "What’s Next with Aki Anastasiou" offers South African executives a 30‑minute video‑podcast interview to share their company story, solutions, and growth insights. The episode is published on MyBroadband’s site and syndicated across YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Spotify, Soundcloud and more....
Shaping Supply: Is Curation the Antidote to Ad Wastage?
Connected TV (CTV) ad spend in the U.S. is set to near $38 bn this year, cementing its role as a core media channel. However, the rapid expansion of premium SVOD, FAST channels, and OEM interfaces has fragmented the supply, making...
BA ‘An Original British Briefing’: The Great Escape
British Airways unveiled “An Original British Briefing,” a surreal safety‑video‑style campaign that reimagines the pre‑flight briefing as a guide out of everyday stress. Directed by Jeff Low, the film places flight attendants in mundane settings—traffic jams, dentist chairs, chaotic homes—to...
