April Marketing Rundown — 7 Bite-Sized Stories to Know

From antitrust clashes to space-bound stunts gone sideways, April delivered a whirlwind of moments that marketers can’t afford to miss. As Q2 kicks off, the marketing world is juggling both big wins and strange misfires. 

Yes, someone actually tried to send Katy Perry to space for a 10-minute promotional flash—and no, the internet wasn’t impressed. But while that flopped, real seismic shifts came from Meta and Google antitrust showdown and the early tremors of a tariff war fueled by Trump’s campaign trail rhetoric. 

So before you plan your next big pitch, catch up. Here’s your all-in-one April briefing—seven stories, zero fluff, maximum insight. Let’s roll. 

DOJ Pushes Google to Share Data, Disrupting Its Search Monopoly

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is escalating its antitrust battle with Google, now pushing the tech giant to share critical search data with rival companies. This includes highly valuable click and query data—what users search for, which links they click, how long they hover, and how they scroll—all central to Google’s dominance in search and digital advertising. 

The DOJ argues that opening up this data could level the playing field for smaller competitors like DuckDuckGo, which struggle to match Google’s precision and performance without such insights. However, Google is expected to push back hard, as this data is core to its ad business. The verdict could reshape the future of search. 

OpenAI Steps Into Ecommerce with AI-Powered Shopping 

OpenAI is making its move into the ecommerce space by integrating a new AI-powered shopping experience directly within ChatGPT. In an announcement made on X (formerly Twitter), the company revealed that users will now be able to search, compare, and shop for products seamlessly using the chatbot. 

What sets this feature apart is OpenAI’s assurance that the results shown aren’t advertisements. Instead, users will see independently sourced product options complete with visual details, pricing, reviews, and direct shopping links to major retailers like Walmart. With this, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as not just a productivity tool, but a smart shopping assistant redefining how consumers interact with ecommerce. 

Spotify Celebrates Pop Artist Fandoms with Striking Global Campaign 

In mid-April, Spotify launched a vibrant campaign spotlighting the passionate communities behind today’s biggest pop stars. With a focus on fandoms like Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and Olivia Rodrigo’s devoted listeners, the campaign captures the emotional depth and cultural flavor of fan identity through bold, film-inspired visuals. 

Creative elements include a sea of pink cowboy hats representing Roan’s fanbase and a sticker-covered body paying homage to Rodrigo’s breakout “Sour” era. Designed to celebrate the joy and uniqueness of fandom culture, the campaign spans six key markets, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Brazil—further underscoring Spotify’s global commitment to music fans. 

7-Eleven Joins Forces with Live Nation for Music, Festivals, and Nostalgia 

7-Eleven is diving into the heart of music culture through a new partnership with Live Nation. The chain is becoming the first-ever naming-rights partner for the nostalgic When We Were Young Festival. The goal behind the teaming up is to strike a chord with young audience groups; millennials and Zoomers.  

Fans can expect a branded 7-Eleven Hangout and a full-blown 7-Eleven Stage at When We Were Young, along with the return of Slurpee Street activations at both Gov Ball and Rolling Loud. The collaboration strategically blends nostalgia, music, and culture—putting 7-Eleven at center stage of the festival scene. 

WPP Chief Warns Tariffs Could Weigh on Media Ad Spend 

WPP CEO Mark Read has expressed concern over how looming tariffs could affect media advertising budgets. While WPP itself may not be directly impacted, Read noted that the ripple effects on clients could be significant. “Tariffs will undoubtedly impact many of our clients and where and how they prioritize their margin investments in advertising and promotion,” he said during a quarterly earnings call with analysts. 

The caution comes as WPP navigates a challenging period, having recently lost a major portion of Coca-Cola’s media business to rival Publicis Media—adding further pressure to the holding group’s outlook. 

Gatorade and Kendrick Lamar Come Together in ‘Lose More, Win More’ 

Gatorade has teamed with rapper Kendrick Lamar for a new campaign titled “Lose More. Win More”. The campaign is the latest expression of its “Is It In You?” platform. 

A 60-second spot features a voice over from Lamar and is meant to honor the hard work and sacrifice of great athletes. The campaign spotlights Gatorade’s roster of athletes including Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson, Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić and Shedeur Sanders. 

The spot will debut during the NBA Playoffs April 19 and run across tentpole sporting events this summer. The campaign will be amplified by an additional 30-second spot along with bespoke films and out-of-home takeovers in the local markets of Gatorade’s athlete roster. 

Blue Origin’s Space Tourism PR Stunt Faces Major Backlash 

Blue Origin’s latest experiential marketing move—offering a 10-minute space flight for promotional stunts—isn’t exactly taking off. What was pitched as a bold step in space tourism and branding quickly spiraled into criticism, with marketers and audiences calling it tone-deaf and disconnected from real-world priorities.  

The backlash intensified after a rumored partnership with a pop star to promote tour dates in orbit sparked mockery across social media.  

Critics argue that this type of spectacle may grab headlines, but does little to build brand credibility or customer trust. In an age of purpose-driven marketing, Blue Origin’s celestial gamble may be remembered more for its altitude than its impact.