Industry

Experiential marketing is back, and brands are ready. From small pop-ups to intimate press dinners to full-blown sold-out festivals, people are ready to gather and brands want in on the action. However, it won’t be an easy road as many navigate the new rules and regulations of in-person events, as the MorningBrew details here.

Bombay Sapphire is here to promote it’s RTD Gin & Tonic, and their backing it with the face of science, Bill Nye. After a year filled with science and finding trust in it, more people will be aligned with this reasoning to try a new drink than ever before.

For a second year in a row, Skittles is releasing limited-edition Pride Pack, which feature all gray packaging and all gray candies inside. One dollar per pack purchased will then be donated by Skittles to GLAAD.

Culture

Brands should be extra careful before monetizing a holiday. Old Navy recently pulled its Juneteenth influencer campaign after receiving backlash. Missteps included asking Black influencers to lay out money for product and offering below-market rates in the marketing effort tied to the holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the US.

New York City is investing $25M in the City Artist Corps, a new recovery program aimed at hiring over 1,500 artists to create works throughout the five boroughs this summer. "We're going to hire artists, musicians, performers, and they're going to be out in communities doing public art, public performances, pop-up shows...creating murals, you name it," said de Blasio. "We want to give artists opportunities, and we want this city to feel the power of our cultural community again."

Fashion

The coolest brand of 2021 doesn't do drops or collaborations—it's a 184-year-old artisanal workshop for the most discerning shoppers on the planet. GQ recently detailed how Hermes has stayed relevant throughout it’s many years as a fashion house.