Macy's’ Post

I’M SO OVER THESE ARTICLES. It’s time to cut through the cycle of redundant dialogue and face the reality: our industry feigns helplessness in fostering transparency around crew diversity. It’s infuriating to witness this charade, and when we possess the means, like INVOKE’s surveying tool, to shine a light on this issue, albeit utilized on a minuscule fraction of the necessary scale. The facade of legal and policy barriers must end. It’s critical to understand that diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of our industry’s future. The numbers speak: over 66% of conservative and 73% of liberal business leaders TODAY continue to carry forth their diversity efforts. Don’t be played by the news media algorithm. Authentic change requires SIMPLE steps, not just words. Let’s stop this performative bullshit and embrace genuine solutions for diversity, or risk being left behind by those who truly understand the value of authenticity, like influencers. For those seeking a viable and respectful approach to enhancing transparency in diversity without compromising the privacy of creators, please feel free to contact me directly. I’m here to share insights and strategies that align with both legal standards and ethical considerations, ensuring a balanced approach to fostering inclusivity. Aren't you tired of this??? FREE THE WORK #freethework #advertising #superbowl #ads #exhausting Volkswagen Group, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, State Farm, Unilever, Anheuser-Busch, The Hershey Company, Astellas Pharma US, T-Mobile, E.L.F. BEAUTY, Squarespace, Molson Coors Beverage Company, PepsiCo, Froneri, L'Oréal, Kia America, Lindt & Sprüngli, Homes.com, Ferrero, Microsoft, Skechers, Snap Inc., Temu, CrowdStrike

Paramount Plus and Black Barbershops: A Cultural Collaboration In an innovative move to connect with diverse audiences and promote its new show "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," Paramount Plus found the perfect ally in the heart of many communities—the local Black barbershop. This strategic partnership goes beyond conventional marketing techniques, tapping into the cultural significance of barbershops and salons as hubs of conversation, community, and style. Over the weekend, Paramount Plus, known for its extensive content library, decided to weave itself into the fabric of communities by teaming up with barbershops and salons across the nation. The unique initiative offers patrons complimentary grooming services, allowing them to emulate the iconic mustache of the show's titular character. This not only provides a tangible connection to the series but also turns these local businesses into cultural tastemakers within their neighborhoods. As Wil Shelton, owner of WP Integrated Marketing, the mastermind behind the promotion, aptly puts it, "Black barbershops don’t just shape hair, they shape the culture." Shelton recognizes the profound impact that barbershops have on their communities, serving as more than just places for haircuts. They are dynamic spaces where culture is cultivated and conversations thrive. Shelton further emphasizes, "They don’t just groom hair, they groom brand love and brand loyalty." This sentiment underscores the strategic brilliance of Paramount Plus' collaboration. By aligning the streaming service with the influential world of Black barbershops, the campaign transcends traditional advertising, fostering genuine connections and loyalty among viewers. By offering free grooming services tied to the distinctive style of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," Paramount Plus is effectively turning viewers into ambassadors for the show. The barbershop experience becomes a shared cultural moment, fostering a sense of community around the series. This grassroots approach not only increases awareness but also positions Paramount Plus as a brand that understands and appreciates the cultural nuances of its diverse audience. The Paramount Plus' partnership with Black barbershops, guided by the insights of Wil Shelton, exemplifies how a streaming service can go beyond the screen, embedding itself in the everyday lives of its viewers through genuine, community-driven initiatives. Are you ready to get more strategic about tapping into the cultural capital to reach African-American consumers? Then it’s time to take barbershop marketing—and the communities that respond to it—more seriously. #marketing #africanamerican #brands #barbershops

Write a simpler brief and watch the creative work flourish. Simplifying briefs is not an easy task. It’s hard to get them through the system. But when the whole team believes and fights the right battles more often than not, a short one line brief with the product benefit at the core emerges.  From then on it’s pure creative joy. 

5 things you can learn from how Bacardi + Nike Communications, Inc. partner with + empower creators of all backgrounds. So grateful to have been able to build the long-term relationship with multi-talented dancer, host, and AAPI advocate @sheelaawe X Bacardi over the past 9 months through the Carta Collective. Here's how this team is doing it differently: 1. It's a LONG-TERM partnership formed around aligned values. 2. They prioritize building a real relationship, not a transactional one by making the time to check in on video calls throughout the entire partnership. 3. They care about Sheela outside of the program - they reached out to be integrated into Sheela's Lunar New Year MIXer. Again it's the authentic relationship that made Sheela feel supported and seen. 4. They build a community of like-minded creators that are now friends, collaborators, and Bacardi stans through the Carta Collective long-term program. 5. They create COOL creator-centric IRL experiences. Sheela went to Gov Ball and the VMA's this past year and they are programming and elevating even more for 2024. Creating programming thinking about "is this something creators will actually enjoy" is super impactful. This is how creator partnerships THRIVE! #creatoreconomy #brandedcontent #creativeagency #authenticitymatters

'Let Your Traditions Grow' When we think of John Lewis & Partners, we associate it with quality, heritage, comfort, and support. The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted the new sneak-peek of a new logo which has left me wondering: what does it say about the brand's eagerly anticipated annual Christmas Ad? The festive tagline and logo allude to growth, plants and creeping vines... and though it doesn't strike me as particularly festive, it has me on the edge of my seat already. What could it mean? 👀🎄 Following in the footsteps of Marks and Spencer's new 'do what you love' messaging for Christmas (see-ya, Elf on the Shelf!), I can't wait to see how John Lewis will top their previous creative campaigns, especially a trampolining dog! 🐶🎁 As someone passionate about marketing strategy and brand reputation, I'm always on the lookout for innovative and creative approaches. This change from John Lewis has certainly piqued my interest and is a stellar marketing move. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think this new logo aligns solely with the Christmas Ad, or is there a deeper meaning behind it? Am I overthinking this!? 2 days to wait! #JohnLewisLogo #ChristmasAdvert #MarketingMystery ____ Hi, I’m Laura. I write about people-centric management, marketing magic, and top-tier communication skills. Follow me for more, or hit my 🔔 to stay in the loop. 👍

Advertising Week kicked off Monday, and our Barkley team was front and center in the many intriguing presentations throughout New York City. Our Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Cardetti, sat down with Smoothie King (SKFI)'s Chief Marketing Officer, Marianne Radley, and Whirlpool Corporation's Head of Creative, Michael Frease, to talk #WholeBrandThinking, the latest results from the Whole Brand Study, and how their brands constantly modernize to meet the needs of their customers. #ModernConsumers #BrandStrategy #AWNewYork23

Have you seen the Marks and Spencer festive ad? 🎬🎄 We just LOVE it – and it's inspired us to take a minute to give a shout-out to anyone who isn’t dizzy with excitement at the coming holidays. We see you, and we appreciate you 🧡 Now, we don’t mean to sound like a grinch 💅 We love joy and merriment as much as the next person. And there’s a lot about the festive period we can get on board with – any excuse to wear a bit of sparkle, after all ✨🪩 But here's the thing, Christmas isn’t always the most wonderful time of the year 👀 We want to encourage a bit more awareness, a bit more consideration, and a bit more kindness this year. Remember: inclusion is a mindset, not just a line on your annual ESG report 🕯️ So we wrote a blog on it for y'all. In the same way the Marks and Spencer ad low key says f*ck tradition and do what you want - we're spreading a similar message: Whether it’s your brand’s marketing, your internal team activities, or your own email comms, before you hit send on that tinsel-bedecked, somewhat assumptive ad, event, or message, why not take a minute to consider those who aren’t feeling the festive cheer? 🌸 Maybe there’s another way to reach out and make their season just a little bit better 🤶 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/ephutuFq 📚 Watch the full ad here: https://lnkd.in/euqjcXyx 📺 #christmas #inclusion #festive

Happy Valentine's Day! No, not yet! First, comment your partner's name in the comments and get featured on billboards nationwide. Wait, don't be so quick. This was a marketing gimmick successfully pulled off by McDonald's in 2018. What an amazing campaign! Two takeaways from this would be: 1. Celebrate trending events with your audience. 2. Customer engagement at its best. Let's connect on your thoughts! Cossette McDonald's #advertisingandmarketing #marketing #digitalamarketing #mcdonalds #digitaladvertisingagency #business #slogan #campaign

🚨🎄 While we’ve been harping on recently about creative wear-out (and contrary to popular belief, how rare of an occurrence it is 👉 see comments for more info), the majority of brands continue to reinvent the wheel and produce campaigns which are a complete departure each Christmas. 🧠 It begs the question; is it necessary? Or are some brands not getting the cumulative bang-for-buck on their past festive work, having to re-build mental structures from scratch each year? 👂 TK MAXX is one who has broken the mould here, re-airing its ‘Simon Is Here’ ear-worm from last year again in 2023. While it wasn’t the strongest of ads in our 2022 rankings, one thing’s for certain — it managed to cut through the noise. 🎄 Check out the full 2023 Christmas ad rankings >> https://lnkd.in/ghJkwDiC #christmas2023 #christmasads #christmasadvert #advertisingeffectiveness

For one Sunday of every year, people gather in living rooms and bars in the US to give their undivided attention to commercial breaks, which is why so many advertisers jumped at the chance to pay $7 million for 30 seconds of Super Bowl LVIII airtime. The ads we see while watching the big game can tell us a lot about the current consumer spending landscape—including which industries and businesses are hot or want to be. Ladies, personal care giants are coming for our wallets. Riding a wave of increased female viewership that’s been boosted by Taylor Swift’s relationship with Kansas City’s star tight end, NYX Cosmetics and CeraVe (both owned by L’Oreal) are placing their first Super Bowl ads, Dove is returning for the first time in 18 years, and E.l.f. Cosmetics is back for the second year in a row. And even many nonbeauty brands have opted for women guest stars, like Kris Jenner for Oreo. First-time advertisers include…MGM’s online sportsbook BetMGM, Drumstick ice cream, Nerds, Lindt chocolate, Starry, Silk almond milk, the sports drink Bodyarmor, Popeyes, and Etsy. The companies that have graced our screens for every Super Bowl Sunday since at least 2020 are Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Doritos, Pringles, Squarespace, TurboTax, T-Mobile, and Universal Pictures. From 2021 on, Hellmann’s, E-Trade, and Skechers have also been consistent advertisers. This year, for the first time since 2014, the car mat manufacturer WeatherTech will not have an ad spot. Morning Brew #superbowl #supersunday #football #americanfootball #commercials #advertising #advertisement