Ad Age Insider

Ad Age reporter Gillian Follett breaks down why brands are leaning into the limited-edition strategy, the elements of a successful product drop strategy and more holiday social media trends.

Plus, what Unilever's big bet on influencer marketing means for the industry, and the details on Peeps, Mike and Ike's and Hot Tamales' new ad agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Dig deeper into Starbucks' Bearista cup strategy

~Catch up on little treat culture and the trinket craze

~Watch holiday ads from Disney, Amazon and Brach's

~Dive into Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook package

~Listen to this week's Marketer's Brief episode

Ad Age Senior Reporter Lindsay Rittenhouse explains how AI is automating work typically done by entry-level talent, and how marketers and educators are responding by training students and junior staff to use the technology themselves. Plus, what early career professionals can do to increase employment prospects in a difficult job market.

Plus, Omnicom and IPG's joint pitch for health care giant Kenvue acts as a test for success of the mega-merger, but it may be riddled with complications. And, why Anomaly Co-Founder Jason DeLand decided to depart the agency.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~ Inside Kimberly-Clark's bid to buy Kenvue for $40 billion

~ How production companies are coming to terms with AI

~ Vote for the 2025 Ad Age Marketer of the Year

Ad Age Editor-at-Large Jack Neff explains why pharma ads can't be banned, and how the Trump administration is cracking down on marketers. Plus, what stricter regulation would mean for creatives and how a ban would impact media channels including linear TV and social media.

And, inside the financial crisis at experiential agency Verb. Read more on how the surging shop grew too fast. Also, the NFL's CMO stood up to criticism of Bad Bunny's 2026 halftime show. See his callout on critics.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~The state of the pharmaceutical ad crackdown

~Listen to the data on U.S. Hispanic consumer trends

~Listen to Blumhouse's CMO talk horror marketing

Ad Age creativity editor Tim Nudd crowns the top spooky season marketing campaigns in the first-ever Halloween Marketing Awards. He also digs into the trends behind October's best work, including why brands are bringing energy previously reserved for April Fools' Day to the season of the witch.

Plus, Ad Legends is a new agency offering brands access to AI replicas of industry legends. The offering is meant to allow marketers access top-tier creative ideas without having to hire an agency. It also offers agencies the ability to replicate their own talent for internal use.

Read more about the 2025 Halloween Marketing Awards winners:

~Six Flags, "Come Out and Play"

~Disney+, "EDGEOFYØR Seat"

~Capri Sun, "Trick & Treat Pouches"

~Skittles, "Ghost Roommate"

~Gushers, "Fruithead"

Dig deeper into additional stories mentioned in this week's episode:

~Burger King's 2017 "Scary Clown Night"

~Columbia Sportswear's Grim Reaper social takeover and Mini's Waymo disguise

~Yahoo's terrifying "Reply All" short

~Skittles' ghoulish TikTok series

~Airheads' unsettling robot trick-or-treater

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

Ad Age marketing reporter Erika Wheless describes the growth of AI-generated bot networks that fuel large percentages of current brand controversies. In the episode, Wheless breaks down how to identify fake social media accounts, tools brands can use to measure bot impact and how to prepare for potential fake outrage.

Plus, Ad Age's 2025 Brand Report breaks down the numbers behind the world's largest advertisers. And TikTok is making aggressive pushes to up ad commitments, despite uncertainty over the platform's future with the Trump administration's planned spin-off.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Inside the social media bot crisis

~Listen to marketing takeaways from American Eagle and Cracker Barrel's recent controversies

~What Elf Cosmetics got wrong with its comedian collab

~Buy tickets for Ad Age's AI Marketing Playbook conference

~Listen to Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

Ad Age senior marketing reporter Adrianne Pasquarelli breaks down takeaways from the controversy surrounding the NFL's Bad Bunny pick for 2026's Super Bowl Halftime Show. Listen to hear data on U.S. Hispanic spending, best practices for building loyalty with multicultural audiences and how brands can prepare for political pushback.

Plus, Domino's debuted new branding for the first time in 13 years, including a jingle by Shaboozey. And Hennessy launched a new partnership with LeBron James that took a risk with the athlete's fans.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~How to build loyalty with Hispanic consumers

~Papa Johns seeks a new creative agency

~Read Ad Age's coverage of Advertising Week New York

~Submit entries for Ad Age's 2026 A-List and Creativity Awards

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age AI Marketing Playbook

~Listen to Meta's CMO on Ad Age's Marketer's Brief

Ad Age reporters go deep on the future of marketing agencies, from consolidation to AI in-housing. Listen to hear more on the potential demise of mid-size agencies, resurgence of social media agencies of record and transformation of capabilities, plus what industry leaders need to know to start strategizing now.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~The future of social media and influencer

~How AI is changing the RFP process

Ad Age reporters break down the transformation of consumer behavior that will impact marketing strategies over the next five years, and how brands can begin preparing now. From changing demographics to revamped loyalty programs and the role of the Super Bowl in 2030, listen for insights into how consumers will interact with brands in 2030.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~Loyalty and shopping in 2030

~How AI is changing the RFP process

~Will the Super Bowl still matter in 2030?

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~The future of social media and influencer

Ad Age reporters dig into the evolution of skills needed to climb the ad industry ladder amid industry transformation. From the new responsibilities CMOs will take on as AI automates other C-suite roles to how entry-level marketers should differentiate their expertise, listen to hear insights that will inform your career path strategy.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through Sept. 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~The CMO job in 2030

~The evolution of entry-level skillsets

~How to incorporate AI into your work

~Inside the 2030 ad agency

~2030 readiness checklist

~The future of creativity

Ad Age reporters discuss AI, and the industry transformation being caused by emerging technology. From influencer clones and shopping agents to contract terms and ad tech tools, listen to hear how marketers can strategize for the industry's AI future.

This series is in celebration of Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 editorial package, which includes insights across marketing, media, agencies and technology. Read more here, and subscribe to Ad Age All Access to read the full series, including deep reporting, exclusive data, expert insights and interactive elements. Through September 26, get the best deal yet on an Ad Age All Access subscription.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Read Ad Age's Future of Advertising 2030 package

~How AI will impact creativity

~Building a 2030-ready tech stack

~The changing role of agencies in the AI future

~5 things to do to get ready for 2030

~The future of social media and influencer

~How shopping will be different in 2030