The Setup Pulse: Trends CMOs Need to Know Right Now

Welcome to the Setup Pulse for Brands and Agency marketers alike! Every other week, we’ll provide three trending topics in the Marketing industry, as well as a new story that you will want to get your eyes on.

Read about what’s being talked about this week!

Pitch it to the Limit

At the Ad Age Small Agency Conference last month, conversations circulated around making a stronger pitch. Christy Cross, the SVP, Head of Growth at Trade School, wrote in a recap post, “‘No spec creative’ is like ‘No gifts please.’ The host will always accept the bottle of wine you bring.” Does providing spec work make you more competitive? It’s a lot of time + money. Should it be the expectation?

Catch up on Ketchup Ads

Heinz launched its first-ever global marketing campaign with Wieden + Kennedy. “It Has To Be Heinz,” led to conversations around the absurdity + authenticity of the ads. Not only are there more conversations about the ketchup we know + love, but there are conversations circulating around their advertising tactics. Is Heinz breaking rules? …Is it working?

Branding Politics

Wide Eye Founder and Creative Director, Ben Ostrower, shares his take on how his team helped revamp the DNC. Talk about a purposeful + quick pivot. What can marketers take away from this adaptability + energy?

New + Noteworthy

Very Demure, Very Mindful

TikTok has done it again. A 40 second video by influencer Jools Lebron describing herself as considerate + modest has been amplified with over 40,000 videos using the same sound. People are losing their minds making memes with hilarious commentary on what it means to be “mindful,” + are now using the term “demure” in everyday conversation. The impact has brought more exposure + finances to the original user + new slang. Proof that you can go viral + make an impact by being yourself. 

Ad Of The Week

Marketing best practices talk a lot about repurposing content, seizing the moment + optimizing on what works. A few months ago, Target took all these best practices to launch a campaign for Target Circle Week using Kristen Wiig’s iconic SNL Target Lady. Capitalizing on nostalgia + a character who was a cultural icon builds hype + conversation around a new campaign. 

Come back soon for the next “Setup Pulse” where we give you quick trend and campaign reports! If you want more in-depth industry content, including interviews by CMOs and Marketing Executives, subscribe to our Newsletter below!