Special Rundown of October Marketing News — 8 Bite-Sized Stories Every Marketer Should Know
The spooky season has wrapped up, and just before the holiday hustle kicks in, let’s do a quick rundown of October marketing news. From Elon Musk bringing X back to Brazil to Google battling for its GSE market dominance, October was packed with marketing moves.
It’s not just the tech giants grabbing headlines. Major brands have been prepping their festive-season game plans, new advertising strategies have surfaced, and the usual market highs and lows have kept everyone on their toes. So, before we hit November, let’s savor the top marketing treats of October.
TikTok Announced 5 New Advertising Tools
TikTok just rolled out five fresh advertising tools—Smart+, GMV Max, PETs, Conversion Lift Studies, and Out of Phone—geared toward supercharging brand reach and sales. This isn’t just another app update; TikTok is aiming to redefine itself as a serious player in consumer influence and sales.
From Smart+, which automates targeting and optimizes creatives, to GMV Max, designed for boosting e-commerce, each tool is built for measurable impact. With Conversion Lift Studies, brands get precise insights into ad performance, pushing TikTok closer to the top as a go-to for business results that could rival traditional digital advertising channels.
Mountain Dew Revamped its Logo by Bringing Back the Mountains
Mountain Dew’s logo revamp returned to the iconic mountains, a nod to its roots and outdoor vibe. PepsiCo’s in-house Design & Innovation team crafted the new look with softer angles and citrus-inspired yellow hues, linking the soda’s bright color to sunshine.
The redesign aimed to reinforce Mountain Dew’s identity as a crisp, citrus-flavored refreshment and reconnect with its “outdoor adventure” spirit, reminding fans of good times shared with friends. Returning to its natural, outdoorsy image, the brand strengthened its connection with loyal fans and carved a fresh visual identity to attract new consumers.
Mcdonald’s Faces Hurdles in Market After E.coli Break
McDonald’s is grappling with a market fallout after an E. coli outbreak tied to its Quarter Pounder burgers, resulting in one death and ten hospitalizations. In response, the brand’s marketing and PR teams have been rebuilding trust, from reassuring customers to temporarily pulling Quarter Pounders from affected locations and seeking new suppliers.
Some experts advise that McDonald’s deepen its approach by demonstrating empathy toward affected customers, such as through personal outreach from corporate leadership and franchisees. While the company focuses on damage control, restoring customer confidence may take time.
Lowe’s Dropped Chainsaw Horror-Infused How-to-Video
Lowe’s took a delightfully spooky turn this Halloween with a chainsaw how-to video featuring none other than Leatherface himself from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Tapping into the season’s thrill while sneaking in some very real safety tips, Lowe’s blends a touch of horror with practical advice. This horror-inspired safety tip video isn’t just a creative nod to the spirit of Halloween; it’s a clever approach to engage customers, who are fully tuned into the season, with an unexpected twist on the typical instructional video.
By mixing a horror icon with chainsaw know-how, Lowe’s captures the audience’s attention and creates a memorable moment that adds much-needed levity to chainsaw safety.
FTC’s New Click-To-Cancel Rule Faces Criticism from Businesses
Following over 16,000 consumer complaints, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a “Click-to-Cancel” rule to simplify subscription cancellations. The rule mandates that companies provide a cancellation process as straightforward as their sign-up process, aiming to address consumer frustrations with overly complex and drawn-out cancellation steps.
Despite its consumer-friendly appeal, several business organizations, including the Interactive Advertising Bureau and The Internet & Television Association, have raised concerns. They argue that the Federal Trade Commission overstepped its authority with the “click to cancel” rule. Critics claim it may impact revenue and impose added operational costs on businesses that rely on subscriptions for recurring income.
Rare Beauty Launched its First Global Campaign, Every Side of You
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty just launched its first global brand campaign, “Every Side of You,” it’s a standout. In a 60-second YouTube advert, a diverse cast of individuals opens up about vulnerability, confidence, friendship, love, and makeup—all set to a heartfelt voiceover by Gomez herself. The ad highlights the brand’s products and emphasizes Rare Beauty’s commitment to mental health, making it especially appealing to Gen Z, who values brands with a cause.
Rare Beauty’s consistent support for mental health initiatives adds a meaningful dimension to its image, resonating deeply with young consumers who seek brands that align with their values. This campaign combines self-expression and social impact, showing Gen Z and beyond that beauty is more than skin-deep.
Heinz Pulled its Campaigns After Fresh Racism Accusations
Heinz recently found itself at the center of controversy after releasing a Halloween-inspired campaign that quickly sparked accusations of racism. In response to public backlash, Heinz swiftly pulled the campaign from all platforms and issued an apology, but the ads upset many in the community.
One particularly criticized image portrayed a Black man smiling with ketchup smeared around his mouth, which some viewers felt was uncomfortably stereotypical. Another ad showed a wedding scene with a Black bride and a white groom; however, many took issue with portraying the couple’s families, with the bride’s father noticeably absent, raising concerns about the erasure of black fathers/men.
Walmart’s Launched its Pop-culture Inspired Holiday Marketing Campaign
Walmart kicked off the holiday season with a pop-culture-packed campaign that taps into nostalgia and the magic of gift-giving. In its new YouTube video, Walmart brought us into those heartwarming moments when people find the perfect presents for loved ones — and the joy that lights up on recipients’ faces as they unwrap them.
Featuring iconic scenes from beloved shows like Gilmore Girls, SpongeBob SquarePants, The Simpsons, and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, the ad cleverly weaved pop culture into relatable holiday moments, making the campaign feel familiar and fresh. By connecting with audiences through these fan-favorite clips, Walmart’s holiday marketing leaned into shared memories and favorite characters, turning gift-giving into a fun, festive experience.
