Marketing Brew Weekly

Best Marketing of 2025: From Top Collabs to Taylor Swift

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the hits, misses, and Taylor of it all as we look back on 2025’s best marketing campaigns throughout the year. We’ll be celebrating the best collabs, the best use of a celebrity, and the anti-AI campaign that had us cheering (and posing). Plus, we’ll share our own picks for the moments we’ll remember best from the year.  00:00: Intro 00:31: Brief recap of the year in marketing 02:21: Best Social Trend or Campaign  05:50: Best Collab of 2025  09:05: The Best Use of Celebrity 11:24: The Most Overlooked Campaign 13:55: Most Overhyped Campaign 16:40: Our favorite campaigns  This episode was sponsored by ActiveCampaign. For more information, go to http://www.activecampaign.com  Subscribe to the Marketing Brew newsletter: https://www.marketingbrew.com/ Watch Marketing Brew Weekly on YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingBrew Follow Marketing Brew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbrew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/marketing-brew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to mkbw@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Marketing Brew Weekly gives marketing professionals insightful analysis and a lively conversation on the latest trending topics in the world of media and advertising, from the Marketing Brew reporters who know the industry best.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re in a K-Shaped Economy. How Will Brands React?

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing the current K-Shaped Economy and how brands are reacting. We take a look at the luxury brands leaning into aspirational marketing, and those embracing affordability. Plus, what about the brands in the middle — is it possible to be aspirational and affordable at the same time, and has anyone figured out how to present that message to customers?  00:00: Intro 00:31: Definition of a K-shaped economy  02:51: Which brands are going for aspirational 05:57: Which brands are going for affordability  11:02: Brands aiming for the middle class  14:47: Collabs that elevate a brand  17:36: How are brands positioning themselves as lifestyle brands 18:44: Brands trying to appeal to all consumers  21:43: The little treat economy  This episode was sponsored by ActiveCampaign. For more information, go to http://www.activecampaign.com  Subscribe to the Marketing Brew newsletter: https://www.marketingbrew.com/ Watch Marketing Brew Weekly on YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingBrew Follow Marketing Brew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbrew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/marketing-brew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to mkbw@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Marketing Brew Weekly gives marketing professionals insightful analysis and a lively conversation on the latest trending topics in the world of media and advertising, from the Marketing Brew reporters who know the industry best.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Ragebait A Viable Marketing Strategy?

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Oxford University’s Word of the Year: Ragebait. From Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign to E.l.f. Choosing to partner with Matt Rife, were these marketing moves worth it for the brands? We touch on controversial Skims products and Coca-Cola using AI in their ads, and discuss which campaigns were fueled by bots — and wonder if it even matters as long as that stock price is up? We also discuss the risk vs. reward of employing this method, and share a brand that seemed to lean into the moment correctly.  00:00: Intro 00:35: What is Ragebait?  02:33: Biggest examples of Ragebait this year 05:20: Why are brands engaging  07:12: How brands do (or don’t acknowledge) using this tactic  08:38: Campaigns that don’t anticipate Ragebait and bots 16:10: How can social listening really be measured now  17:40: What impact will Ragebait campaigns have long-term  19:30: Does Ragebait work? 25:00: The Ordinary’s use of “gentle outrage” This episode was sponsored by ActiveCampaign. For more information, go to http://www.activecampaign.com  Subscribe to the Marketing Brew newsletter: https://www.marketingbrew.com/ Watch Marketing Brew Weekly on YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingBrew Follow Marketing Brew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbrew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/marketing-brew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to mkbw@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Marketing Brew Weekly gives marketing professionals insightful analysis and a lively conversation on the latest trending topics in the world of media and advertising, from the Marketing Brew reporters who know the industry best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Any Marketer Can Learn From Netflix’s Massive Moment

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing how Netflix became the masters of marketing. With the final season of “Stranger Things” upon us, we discuss the brand collabs and major marketing moments the streamer has implemented to make the sci-fi show one of their biggest ever. We also discuss Netflix House and how the company has managed to bring IRL experiences and merch to their shows’ biggest fans. Plus, why does Netflix continue to chase that Oscar gold, and how will they continue to display their influence over the entertainment industry?  00:00: Intro 00:35: The return of Stranger Things 03:07: The impact of Stranger Things for Netflix   07:30: Stranger Things on Broadway  09:14: Netflix and experiential marketing 11:27: What to expect at Netflix House 18:28: Netflix and Out Of Home strategies 22:40: Creating perpetual engagement  25:46: Netflix and awards season  This episode was sponsored by ActiveCampaign. For more information, go to http://www.activecampaign.com  Subscribe to the Marketing Brew newsletter: https://www.marketingbrew.com/ Watch Marketing Brew Weekly on YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingBrew Follow Marketing Brew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbrew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/marketing-brew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to mkbw@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Marketing Brew Weekly gives marketing professionals insightful analysis and a lively conversation on the latest trending topics in the world of media and advertising, from the Marketing Brew reporters who know the industry best.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Marketers Are Breaking Through the Black Friday Noise

Welcome to Marketing Brew Weekly! This week we’re discussing Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the best ways for marketers to navigate their strategies for these days in 2025. How can brands make sure their SMS messaging hits the right tone? Do real Black Friday deals even exist any more? Is Amazon the only brand really owning this time of year? And our hosts share their ideas to get people excited about spending for the holidays again so listen up, brands!  00:00: Intro 00:32: Black Friday memories  03:15: Black Friday starts earlier now   06:00: How can brands make their campaign stand out 07:45: Using SMS marketing 09:21: Consumer sentiment is down around shopping  13:20: The importance of gift guides 17:30: Does Amazon do Black Friday best 21:55: What marketing strategy actually works This episode was sponsored by ActiveCampaign. For more information, go to http://www.activecampaign.com  Subscribe to the Marketing Brew newsletter: https://www.marketingbrew.com/ Watch Marketing Brew Weekly on YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingBrew Follow Marketing Brew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingbrew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/marketing-brew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to mkbw@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Marketing Brew Weekly gives marketing professionals insightful analysis and a lively conversation on the latest trending topics in the world of media and advertising, from the Marketing Brew reporters who know the industry best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices