How the National Women’s Soccer League Is Building Momentum for Brands
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is entering a growth phase as its 14th season coincides with heightened soccer interest from the men’s World Cup and record‑breaking attendance at expansion clubs. In April the league filled its vacant chief marketing role with ESPN veteran Rachel Epstein and hired former Top Rank executive Brian Kelly as chief commercial officer. Their strategy focuses on converting casual viewers into regular fans through targeted storytelling and selective paid media. Sponsorship revenue is projected to jump 44% year‑over‑year, opening new partnership avenues for brands.
How Focus Features Is Building Deeper Film Engagement on Gaming Platforms
Focus Features turned its horror release *Obsession* into a gaming experience, launching a Discord Quest that let players explore the film’s apartment for seven minutes. The movie opened on May 15, pulling $58.5 million in its first two weeks against a...
OpenAI Is Allowing Financial Services Brands Into the ChatGPT Ads Pilot
OpenAI is expanding its ChatGPT ads pilot to include financial‑services brands such as Robinhood and BestMoney, marking the first foray into a heavily regulated vertical. The pilot, which launched in February for free and Go‑tier users, originally featured travel advertisers...
YouTube’s SVOD Business Is Helping Fuel the Platform’s Domination of TV, Too
YouTube’s subscription revenue now accounts for roughly one‑third of its total earnings, driven by more than 125 million paid subscribers to YouTube Music and Premium as of 2025. CEO Neal Mohan announced that YouTube TV has surpassed 10 million subscribers and introduced...
Why Would a Social Media Platform Tell You to Get Off Your Phone?
Pinterest launched a new brand campaign urging users to put down their phones, highlighted by a viral anthem film that has amassed over 54 million YouTube views. The initiative includes a phone‑free Coachella activation where attendees stored phones in Yondr pouches,...
At Upfronts, Netflix Says Its Vast Library Is What Makes It ‘Formidable’
Netflix’s fourth annual upfront, dubbed "Get Closer," highlighted its massive, diverse library as a magnet for advertisers. The streamer projected $3 billion in ad revenue for 2026 and announced the expansion of its ad‑supported tier into 15 new international markets. CEO‑level...
Managing Platforms, Filming Fandom, and Approaching AI with Care: Takeaways From Our Creator Marketing Event
The creator economy remains a dominant force, with 86% of U.S. marketers using influencers in 2025. At Marketing Brew’s "Next Phase of Social & Creator Marketing" event, leaders from ESPN, Cava, Anthropologie and agencies highlighted the need for multi‑platform strategies,...
Cup Runneth Over: Inside the Alcohol Brands Pouring Marketing Into Soccer This Year
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across North America, giving alcohol brands a massive platform. Companies such as Michelob Ultra, Modelo, Stella Artois and Don Julio are committing record‑high media spends and multi‑channel activations, with some planning 18...
Sports, Stars, Singing: With New CEO, Disney Maintains Splashy Upfront Strategy
Disney’s upfront highlighted a new live‑first strategy under CEO Josh D'Amaro, emphasizing sports and marquee events. The company announced ESPN’s inaugural Super Bowl broadcast in 2027, simulcast on ABC for the first time in a decade, and a 55% year‑over‑year...
The Era of the Microdrama Is Here
Microdrama apps like ReelShort and DramaBox have become the most‑downloaded video‑streaming platforms worldwide, eclipsing Netflix, as mobile‑first, two‑minute episodes capture post‑pandemic scrolling habits. The U.S. market generated $819 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2030, driven by...
At Upfronts, NBCUniversal’s Legacy Is the Message
NBCUniversal marked its centennial at a Radio City Music Hall upfront, positioning its 100‑year legacy as a strategic advantage in a crowded TV and streaming landscape. Chairman Mark Marshall highlighted evolution, innovation, and consumer focus as core strengths, while Tina...
All Things Creator Marketing with Katie Gohman
Katie Gohman, CMO of Olaplex, discussed the brand’s creator‑marketing strategy ahead of Marketing Brew’s May 12 event. She highlighted that U.S. creator ad spend is expanding four times faster than the broader media market, driven by interest‑based algorithms that prioritize relevance...
This Upfront Season, Measurement Is More Important than Ever
Upfronts week returns with networks and streamers pitching advertisers, but measurement and performance metrics now dominate discussions. Flexibility in dealmaking and real‑time data are top priorities amid economic volatility. Disney’s ownership of the 2027 Super Bowl gives it leverage, while...
How IAB Sweden Expelled Meta—And Why It Might Not Happen in Other Chapters Anytime Soon
Meta has been expelled from IAB Sweden after a year‑long campaign by Swedish publishers over a surge of fraudulent advertisements on its platforms. The move follows a Reuters investigation that accused Meta of earning billions from scam ads and a...
How the WNBA Brought on New Blue-Chip Sponsors Amid CBA Negotiation Uncertainty
The WNBA’s 2025 season saw a 40% year‑over‑year jump in sponsorship revenue as blue‑chip brands such as Procter & Gamble, Mars and Amazon Web Services signed multiyear deals. The league now counts 11 WNBA‑only sponsors, up from just one in...