Marketing Mania

No matter what genre of movies you enjoy, there’s a large chance that you at least knew something about Avengers: Endgame when it was in theaters. The culmination of the film franchise drew huge crowds to theaters worldwide, breaking box office records and making headlines. Yet, Marvel movies and shows in the last couple of years have seen nowhere near the same level of success as that blockbuster film. Marvel finally broke this downward trend with its recent release of Deadpool and Wolverine , and its excellent marketing campaign was undeniably one of the reasons. Deadpool & Wolverine movie poster Just the presence alone of lead actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman was already a significant draw, as their robust acting careers and lovable personalities have garnered many loyal fans of their own. However, their chemistry and reputations also lent themselves perfectly to Marvel’s expansive advertising campaign, especially the live press tour. The actors traveled across the world t...

Most children’s movies seem to follow a similar formula for advertising. Bright colors, funny characters, and captivating animation, all in a fast-paced trailer. After all, that’s what kids are drawn to, and children’s movies cater to children, right? But what if they weren’t the only target audience? Well, that’s the strategy Pixar used when advertising its recent film, Inside Out 2 . Movie poster for Inside Out 2   This highly anticipated sequel was released on June 14 of this year, only five days short of the ninth anniversary of the original, Inside Out . Such an extended amount of time between releases is unusual for a film series. Companies tend to keep that gap to only a couple of years, hoping each new film will build on the success of the last. They’re often released far enough apart to build suspense and ensure good quality but not so far as to lose the audience’s attention. But while that long gap might seem worrying, Pixar wasn’t fazed by it. If anything, it embraced it...

Lime green. Plain text. One word. That is the essence of Charli XCX’s recent album, BRAT . Cover of BRAT You might be wondering how such a simple cover can be successful. After all, it seems like an unusual design choice for an upbeat, mainstream pop album. Yet, since the album’s release on June 7, its uniqueness has immediately drawn the attention of influencers and fans alike. The term “brat summer” was quickly coined and became a Gen Z summer anthem, with references to the album appearing all over social media. The cover’s bright green hue was instantly named “brat green.” It began to influence the social media posts of fans, companies, and even government organizations, from aesthetic posts to clothing styles and outfit inspiration to news updates. It even became a central part of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, likely as an effort to connect with younger generations. Post about heat wave on NJ Gov’s Twitter/X account Kamala HQ’s Twitter/X account, the officia...

One of the best ways for someone to become instantly recognizable is to have a distinct appearance or personality—a signature something that sets them apart from the rest. Just the utterance of their name should spark an image in someone’s head. Who’s the latest celebrity to follow this famous formula? Chappell Roan, of course! This singer’s iconic style of curly red hair, colorful makeup, and creative costumes can be seen on the cover of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess , and on the cover of her hit single, Good Luck, Babe! Cover of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Cover of Good Luck, Babe! Her fun, artistic style perfectly matches her powerful vocals and unique lyricism. Her persona is the embodiment of her music, and it’s made a lasting impression on many. While not every one of her performances includes this exact look, she always makes sure to surprise the audience. From her Barbie of Swan Lake outfits for Jimmy Fallon to her take on the Statue of L...

When you think of an ad campaign for a skincare product, what do you picture? Bare-faced women smiling at the camera as they smooth products over their skin? Intermittent clips of the packaged product in front of a plain background? Soothing music behind a voiceover telling you just how effective the product is? Well, even if you said something different, I can almost guarantee it didn’t include a “little weirdo”— Allure ’s words, not mine—whispering to “ let [his] cream hydrate you .” Yet that’s precisely what CeraVe’s marketing team pictured for the company’s 2024 Super Bowl commercial.  Actor Michael Cera is known for playing awkwardly funny characters in projects like Arrested Development , Superbad , and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World , and his comically offbeat demeanor made another appearance for the skincare brand in their advertisement. But that wasn’t the extent of the campaign. While the commercial first aired on February 6 and again during the Super Bowl on February 11, Mi...