Latest Marketing News from August — 8 Snippets You Must Know
August is over, but a whole hell of a lot has happened in the past 31 days. The latest marketing news has been loud and creative, from blunt marketing strategies to the rise of cutesy trends. So, if you’re ready to dive into the latest and greatest from the marketing world, sit back and enjoy our roundup of the hottest news from August.
1. Elon Musk Takes on Advertiser Group in Bold Antitrust Lawsuit
On August 6, X filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) and several international corporations. X alleges that the WFA and its Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) orchestrated an economic boycott against X, violating U.S. antitrust laws. However, the case faces tough challenges due to current Supreme Court antitrust doctrine and First Amendment protections. Stay tuned to see how this high-stakes legal drama unfolds.
(Read More: Why advertisers are backing off from X)
2. Starbucks Brews Up a New CEO
Just a year after Laxman Narasimhan took the helm, Starbucks tapped Brian Niccol, former CEO of Chipotle, as its new leader. The leadership shake-up was anticipated with Starbucks facing tough times due to weak consumer sentiment and challenges in China. Niccol will officially start on September 9, bringing his $1.6 million salary and a 1600 km commute from California to Seattle. The coffee giant is hoping he can spice up the menu and steer them back to growth.
3. Guinness Kicks Off Its Biggest Debut Campaign with Premier League
Guinness is making a grand entrance as the first-time official beer partner of the Premier League with its most extensive global campaign ever. After a stellar year of double-digit growth, the iconic black pint is celebrating with four new ads, global out-of-home displays, and “Lovely Game for a Guinness” promotions in pubs and stores. They’re also sponsoring the Premier League’s Goal of the Month award and rolling out 20 tankers to bring the beer to fans worldwide.
4. Global Ad Spend to Hit Historic $1 Trillion Mark in 2024
Global advertising spending is poised to soar by 10.5% this year, crossing the $1 trillion threshold for the first time. Over the last decade, global ad investment has more than doubled, with Meta, Amazon, and Alphabet dominating the scene, accounting for over 70% of this growth. These tech giants are expected to capture 43.6% of all ad spend in 2024, with projections rising to over 46% by 2026. In North America, the ad market is set to grow by 8.6%, fueled by $15.8 billion in U.S. political spending amid the presidential election race.
5. U.S. Court Considers Google Search Monopoly Illegal
Google has been found guilty of violating antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly in internet search, and now the focus is shifting to how to address these violations. The Justice Department and state attorneys general are exploring several potential remedies. These include breaking off critical parts of Google, like its Chrome browser or Android operating system, or forcing the company to share its data with competitors. Another option under discussion is requiring Google to end deals that make its search engine the default on devices like the iPhone. Discussions are ongoing with other companies and experts as the government considers how best to limit Google’s dominance.
6. Snoop Dogg and Solo Stove Turn Up the Heat with Blunt Marketing
Remember when Snoop Dogg shook the world by declaring he was quitting smoking, only to reveal it was a clever stunt for Solo Stove? Well, they’re back at it! This time, Solo Stove embraces “Blunt Marketing” in its latest campaign. In a 30-second spot, Snoop teams up with Warren G, cutting straight to the chase: they’re here to sell fire pits. No frills, just fire. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense approach that’s as hot and blunt.
7. Tik Tok’s New Trend Takes Over White House, McDonalds, and Celebrities
From “Hawk Tuah” to “Demure & Mindful,” new words have again set the internet on fire. In just a few weeks, Jools Lebron’s latest catchphrases—describing everyday activities with words like “demure,” “mindful,” and “cutesy”—have become the defining buzzwords of the summer. The trend has taken social media by storm, with big names like Jennifer Lopez and Penn Badgley jumping on board. Even the White House has gotten in on the action, using Lebron’s words to highlight the Biden-Harris administration’s student debt relief efforts.
8. TikTok has become the Most Under-Reported Social Media Platform on Google Analytics
New research reveals that TikTok is the most under-reported platform on Google Analytics, receiving less credit than it deserves. Recent market analysis highlights TikTok’s influence lies in impressions rather than clicks, driving awareness and nudging consumers to buy. However, Google Analytics’ last-click model fails to capture this impact, only measuring the final touchpoint in the customer journey. As a result, paid social campaigns on TikTok are significantly underrepresented, leaving marketers without a complete picture of the platform’s actual effectiveness.
