March Marketing Rundown — 7 Bite-Sized Stories to Know
March 2025 feels like just before a plot twist in a thriller—quiet but charged with anticipation. Eggs were covering the headlines of the news.
The United States has been going through an egg crisis, and Elon Musk is not stopping pulling more stunts for his companies. March 2025 isn’t loud, but it’s loaded with undercurrents. And, we are ready to tell you what all happened in the first quarter of the year.
So, get ready to dive deep into the rundown of March marketing news you must know before entering the second quarter.
“Share a Coke” Making a Comeback for Genz’s
Share a Coke—millennial’s favorite advertising moment that sent a wave to the global marketing landscape. Now, the same is making its legendary comeback—tailored for Gen Z with enhanced customization and digital engagement.
Developed by WPP Open X, the campaign features personalized bottles and cans alongside a QR code-powered digital hub offering a Memory Maker tool for creating and sharing videos.
Not just available for social media platforms like before, it will expand into TV, online video, and out-of-home advertising—a full omnichannel marketing campaign.
With this refreshed approach, Coca-Cola blends nostalgia with innovation, capturing the attention of a younger, digitally savvy audience.
Publicis Partners with Adobe to Integrate GenAI
On March 18, Publicis Groupe announced an expanded global partnership with Adobe, integrating Adobe’s generative AI into its CoreAI platform. The partnership is expected to boost marketing capabilities with supercharged AI.
The collaboration brings together Adobe Firefly Services—an advanced suite of creative and generative APIs—with Publicis’ proprietary AI-powered system. The goal is to enhance personalized content creation at scale as well as optimize workflows, boost efficiency, and drive creativity for Publicis clients.
This integration, timed with the Adobe Summit in Las Vegas, signals a major leap in leveraging AI to revolutionize personalized marketing and content development for brands.
Forever 21 to Exit the US Market After 2nd Bankruptcy Filing
Forever 21, the iconic retail brand that introduced K-pop fashion to America, is officially going out of business in the US. A staple for teens in the ’90s and 2000s, Forever 21 gained a massive following by offering trendy styles at budget-friendly prices.
However, the rise of online fast-fashion giants like Shein and Temu created intense competition, pushing the brand into financial turmoil. Struggling to keep up with changing consumer habits and digital dominance, Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of an era in the US retail market.
The closure highlights the shifting landscape of fashion retail and the growing influence of e-commerce.
Unilever Shifts Focus to Influencer Marketing
Unilever’s new CEO, Fernando Fernandez, plans to increase spending on social media influencers to mitigate consumer distrust of corporate branding. The company plans to raise its investment in the social media-first advertising model from 30 percent to 50 percent.
Fernandez, who has a long history at Unilever, aims to focus on key markets such as the US and India. Also, expedite the sale of underperforming food brands, and stick to a bolt-on acquisition strategy. Amidst a restructuring that includes 7,500 job cuts and separating its ice cream business, the company seeks to enhance its portfolio’s effectiveness.
Fernandez assures the commitment to growing the food sector’s main brands, Knorr and Hellmann’s, emphasizing their profitability.
Target Faces Traffic Decline Amid DEI Program Rollback
Target’s foot traffic has declined for the eighth consecutive week following its decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program in late January. The retailer’s ongoing slump contrasts sharply with Costco, which resisted political pressure to abandon its DEI initiatives.
Costco, in turn, is experiencing a surge in foot traffic, with a 5.2% year-over-year increase for the week beginning March 17, marking its 13th straight week of growth. As Target struggles to regain momentum, Costco’s steady gains highlight how consumer preferences and corporate values can directly impact brand loyalty and traffic trends.
Elon Musk Paves Way for AI-Social Media Integration
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has acquired X (formerly Twitter) in a landmark all-stock deal valued at $33 billion. Announcing the news on X, Musk noted that the merger values xAI at $80 billion, factoring in X’s $12 billion debt.
The acquisition enables co-investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital to benefit from xAI’s growing value. Musk emphasized that “xAI and X’s futures are intertwined,” underscoring the transformative potential of merging xAI’s advanced AI technologies with X’s vast social media platform.
The move signals Musk’s ambition to create a powerful merger between AI and social engagement.
Estée Lauder and Microsoft Join Forces to Leverage AI for Consumer Trend Analysis
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC), a global leader in beauty, has partnered with Microsoft to accelerate trend identification and enhance product innovation using AI.
Through Microsoft 365 Copilot, Estée Lauder is building a generative AI ecosystem that utilizes Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI Service, and Azure AI Search to analyze data, develop marketing assets, and streamline product launches. The brand’s new AI-powered agent, ConsumerIQ, built-in Copilot Studio, gives employees instant access to valuable consumer data collected over 80 years, empowering them to make data-driven decisions.
This collaboration aims to revolutionize Estée Lauder’s approach to consumer engagement and product development.
