Associated Press
Coke says it supports the World Health Organization's guidelines for limiting added sugar, as the company works on repairing its image in public health circles and reshaping its business. Incoming CEO James Quincey also said the company has "outgrown" its namesake cola and is focusing on becoming a "total beverage company."
Cosmopolitan.com
Bath time should be as delicious as your favorite Starbucks frap, which is why Shea Shea La Bomb on Etsy has created bath bombs inspired by the famous drink. The Frappuccino Bombs look just like the real thing, topped with a crown of whip, drizzled with gooey deliciousness, and finished with the Sbux logo. No word on whether Starbucks has sanctioned the items.
MarTech Today
In late January, Amazon made the announcement that they are looking into how to monetize their Echo and Dot smart home devices through paid advertising. This sent the advertising industry into a state of excitement. With Amazon having sold more than 5 million devices since launch, there is ample opportunity for advertisers to reach consumers.
NYSportsJournalism.com
When the 2017 World Baseball Classic begins March 6, it will include more than 60 marketing partners supporting global, regional and/or local activation. The marketing drive is led by global partners: GungHo Online Entertainment, Hublot, Nippon Express and Nomura Securities. Other sponsors include Delta, Gatorade, Kia, LG, AT&T and Brooks Brothers.
Independent.co.uk
Audi, Visa, T-Mobile and Lufthansa are among the growing list of companies pulling their advertising from controversial alt-right website Breitbart. Thanks to a grassroots effort from Sleeping Giants, at least 1,250 advertisers no longer wish to be associated with the site. The campaign encourages Twitter users to publicly name and shame companies who advertise on the website by drawing attention to screenshots of Breitbart ads.
Advertising Age
Cadillac is the latest marketer to take on the task of bringing together a divided nation with an ad that ran during Sunday's Academy Awards telecast. The commercial depicts street protests along side scenes of people helping other people (such as a rescue effort from a flooded neighborhood). Director of Brand Marketing Melody Lee says the ad is not a "political or social statement," but rather a "celebration of the incredible American spirit."
Chicago Tribune
For five years, suburban Chicago mom Katie Driscoll has been working to persuade retailers to use more models with disabilities in their advertising. She's flown all over the country offering photo clinics for parents of children with special needs and met with dozens of corporations. Those efforts are starting to pay off, with Driscoll's daughter, who has Down syndrome featured in some Walgreen's in-store materials. Driscoll manages an advocacy site, www.changingthefaceofbeauty.org.
eCommerce Bytes
The e-commerce brand will be launching a new campaign in 31 U.S. cities, showing some of the reasons for loving eBay, including last-minute, onetime delivery; fast shipping and peace of mind. The advertisements feature the words "For the love of" followed by a list of features, as well as an eBay logo in the lower left corner.
Retail Times
Bud Light is finally moving across the pond. ABInBev is launching the brand in the UK with an eye toward appealing to a new generation of consumers. The brand has already begun rolling out in grocery stories and convenience outlets, and will soon be in on-trade outlets. The launch will be supported by a fully-integrated, multi-million-pound marketing campaign that "celebrates the brand's light-hearted personality," according to Retail Time
TechCrunch
Late last year, it was revealed that Amazon's Echo had become a key piece of evidence in an on-going murder investigation in Arkansas dating back to 2015, as police sought access to voice recordings from the smart home assistant. Now the tech giant is firing back, arguing that both user commands and Alexa's responses constitute protected speech.