Investor doomerism shapes how marketers build brands. That’s still the problem.

This week deserves a marketing raise, but stock market panic is making me rant about how shareholders ruin brand-building for everyone… it’s brand and advertising coverage from 19.07–01.08.2026.

This newsletter is sponsored our friends at Tracksuit, the always-on brand tracker that tells marketers and agencies whether their work is actually building the brand. Get awareness, consideration, competitive position, updated every month. You’ll always have the proof to back your strategy.

Before you go further, Attention is like money–you can waste it or invest it. If you invest it in my paid newsletter, you’ll get dividends for years.

The Social Juice+ (more of what matters)

• New York sues Kalshi prediction market alleging ‘illegal gambling operation.’

• ‘It ain’t the same’: inside the bitter battle to free Ben & Jerry’s.

  • Magnum earnings top forecasts but second-quarter sales growth slows.

• ‘Errands’ should be the most boring show on the Internet.

• Fast-fashion retailer Shein’s 3-year IPO odyssey may have cost it the ‘golden time’ to go public.

• In the age of AI, the analog restaurant feels radical.

• Singles are so burned out they’re letting spreadsheets evaluate their dates.

• Visa plans to cut 2,600 jobs as new AI phase reshapes company.

• The Nantucket locals who are sick of influencers.

  • You can’t just be showing Matcha-Pilates-Alo.

• Once you hear it, the ‘Gen Alpha melody’ is everywhere.

• Big food is running out of moves with shoppers and investors.

• Adidas shares drop close to a fifth after profits hit by World Cup marketing spend.

  • Coca-Cola and Unilever sales surge after World Cup marketing blitz.

  • If this isn’t an example of investors and executives struggling to understand how brand building works, I don’t know what is. Combine this with the fact that research shows marketers spend far too long procrastinating and rethinking their underperforming campaigns. Why do they do this? Investors and shareholders ask them to prove ROI too early, while marketers themselves assume their less attributable campaigns are underperforming.

    • We waste too much time convincing others that our work matters, and then the cycle repeats.

In partnership with Tracksuit

Brand loses budget when the work is sound but the ask is unclear. Marketers ask for time in one language. Finance asks for proof in another. The words never quite meet.

I know we never really got the long end of the stick, but this one hurts because the evidence is not missing. Binet & Field. Ehrenberg-Bass. IPA. Three decades of independent research keep pointing in the same direction: brand builds future demand, improves conversion, protects pricing power, and compounds when it is funded consistently.

This is not a belief system. It is commercial fact, badly translated. And the cost is real.

Around 50% of brand’s sales effect can show up in the first four months. The remaining 50% can arrive across months five to twenty-four. Judge that investment on the first quarter alone and of course it looks weak. So would planting a tree if you measured it by shade on day ten.

Avoid that mistake... bring a funded plan to the boardroom. Tracksuit University teaches marketers the financial language of brand investment. Taught by James Hurman, the course helps marketers turn the argument into a one-page brand investment plan they can take directly to the CFO. Stop fighting the brand budget battle on vibes alone.

Get free access to the first module and your one-page brand investment plan.

• Apple and Amazon report rising revenues as investors turn on some tech stocks.

• “Human refrigerator” provides escape from deadly heatwaves.

• Back-to-school budgets continue to climb, with parents planning to spend an average of $489 per child this year—11.7% more than last year.

• AB InBev beats expectations as beer recovery continues.

• The latest darlings of social-media marketing? Regular people with 500 followers.

• Can the OG Glossier playbook still work?

• Women’s Pro Baseball returns after 70 years with a 99-year-old throwing the first pitch.

• Sainsbury’s agrees to sell Argos for £120m.

• Afterpay officially renames Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena in five-year deal.

• 91% of marketers waste days reacting to underperforming campaigns, bleeding ad spend.

• Coca-Cola unveils a new global brand identity.

• Depop launches Zara Larsson campaign and exclusive shop.

• Reese’s Oreo casts Lindsay Lohan as a twin whisperer in nod to her parent trap past.

• Under Armour gets heated with François Arnaud.

  • Under Armour celebrates the off-season in new “Rest Less” sportswear campaign.

• Antoni Porowski and Hannah Berner take on Male Shopper Meme for Instacart.

• Marie Keating Foundation launches “Mole Maps” to raise awareness about skin cancer.

• Kim Kardashian reveals how she gets it all done as she debuts first campaign for UPDATE.

• Hanes ties comfort to confidence in bold brand refresh from Special US.

• ‘What has the BBC ever done for me?’ Romesh Ranganathan reboots corporation’s 1985 licence fee plea.

• How Apple turned everyday mess into an iPhone OOH campaign.

• Cerveza Modelo uses the actual size of Modelito to launch its new campaign.

• Jamiroquai recreate iconic ‘Virtual Insanity’ video for Beefeater 0.0.

• La-Z-Boy and Kristin Juszczyk partner to create this season’s must-have fan cave centerpiece: The Jer-Z-Boy.

• Zendaya is the newest face of Prada Beauty’s Paradoxe Sweet Chemistry campaign, joining husband Tom Holland as ambassador for the brand.

• ESPN turns fantasy football into a 90s sitcom.

• How an M&S Product Development Director built a viral TikTok account.

• Leeds United transform New York sports bar into ‘New Yorkshire’ café to launch new kit.

• BMW takes corners to court in a Kafkaesque ad that skips car clichés.

  • BMW brings modern mobility to the Sony Pictures film “Spider Man: Brand New Day”.

• Matt Damon defends Dunkin’ product placement in Nolan’s ‘Odyssey.’

• Director Paulo Garcia takes stop-motion care in AXA film from Publicis Conseil.

• Burger King’s new campaign is going to divide millennials.

• Singha launches 0.04-second ads challenging F1 fans to win Singapore Grand Prix trip.

Share The Social Juice

• Liberty Mutual turns Liberty Biberty from famous ad flub into its newest brand character.

• Dove Men+Care celebrates the emotion behind Men’s World Cup tears.

• Nike, Lululemon hit with lawsuits alleging deceptive ‘phantom discounts.’

• Jameson teams with NFL as global sponsor amid spirits market struggles.

• Olivia Rodrigo teams with Etsy on handmade daisy chain fields merch collection ahead of inaugural festival.

• Kayak’s ‘Bookboards’ let friends shame a holdout who won’t commit to a trip.

• Dos Equis adds new chapter to myth of ‘The Most Interesting Man in the World’ with Fuerza Regida.

• Cape Verde Superhero Goalkeeper Vozinha dons Spider-Man jersey for promo video.

• Nuii ice cream promotes conservation efforts with branded treehouse.

• She’s back! Fabletics and Keke Palmer unveil a new Do-It-All collection for every version of you.

• Specsavers celebrates 15 years of partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation.

• Ogilvy Greece turns pets into food waste bins in playful campaign.

• Little Big Engine uses zombie apocalypse to promote Orthopedic Shoe Brand KURU.

• Harvey Norman and Latitude face $55m penalty for misleading ad campaign.

• Monzo reveals global brand platform with biggest integrated campaign to date.

• Lynda Benglis’ art comes to life in Dior Haute Couture 2026 Fall/Winter runway trends.

• Rare Beauty unveils new campaign with Fred & Farid.

• Prada taps Director Barry Jenkins for Fall 2026 campaign

• FENDI unveils its Fall/Winter 2026-27 campaign by Jo Ann Callis.

• Olivia Rodrigo dishes the makeup products she can’t live without for Lancôme.

• Chloé captures “Untamed Strength and Togetherness” in a romantic winter 2026 campaign.

• Why EastEnders’ Big Mo has landed the unexpected fashion campaign of the year.

• Mugler’s muscle mommy strips off for new campaign.

• Steven Meisel’s Fall 2026 Versace campaign pays tribute to foundational house codes.

• Harper Beckham’s beauty brand gets a new name after trademark setback.

• Hailey Bieber returns for Miu Miu’s Fall 2026 campaign.

• Eileen Gu is global makeup ambassador of Armani Beauty.

• American Eagle shook up its Back-to-School playbook to reach a fragmented Gen Z.

• Alisha Boe is the new Global Ambassador for YSL Beauty’s Black Opium.

• Sol de Janeiro launches “largest-ever travel retail campaign” across 50 airports.

• cdf Beauty blends culture and charity with anniversary campaign.

• Bringing Charlotte Tilbury’s love universe roadshow to life.

• L’Oréal chief plans to more than triple sales of Gucci beauty products.

• ESW Beauty names Katie Fang as creator equity partner.

• Dove Men+Care continues its partnership with Nic Vansteenberghe.

• Beauty giant Proya grows controlling stake in Flower Knows.

• Ryan Gosling’s vintage Ralph Lauren jacket stole the show at Comic-Con.

  • Ralph Lauren has united with the quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama.

• Degree sweats it out with subway commuters for New York summer campaign.

• Gap Inc. opens creator program to employees.

• Dermal Therapy ramps up marketing after $150m acquisition with biggest campaign yet.

• Coach welcomes Lola Tung as global ambassador.

• Method launches limited artist edition body washes.

• Ulta Beauty taps Ice Spice for its first TikTok Shop campaign to unveil the rapper’s first fragrance

• Canada Goose brings nature’s fringe to lifestyle marketing push.

• Merit partners with Dan Levy for the latest installment of its “Get Ready With Me” series.

• Belmont Cameli fronts Tresemmé’s latest campaign.

• Gap’s 2026 take on its ‘90s fragrances is completely unexpected.

• Ugg teams with buzzy pop band Muna for back-to-school campaign.

• Clarks launches nostalgic back-to-school campaign.

• American Eagle shows off latest signing Lamine Yamal in new campaign.

• Farfetch launches new campaign with a focus on ‘transeasonal style’.

• Tyla fronts Kate Spade’s new Fall 2026 campaign.

• England player Noni Madueke fronts campaign for ASOS and adidas.

• Ferragamo embraces shoe fanaticism in latest campaign.

• Sol de Janeiro partners with Bala for a limited-edition pilates experience.

• Zevia and Cardi B launch “Real Talk Interpreter” campaign.

• Disney & Kraft Heinz forge multi-year partnership.

• How Busch turned bales into advertising dollars for farmers.

• Pepsi collaborates with beauty brand Glamlite to launch limited-edition body care collection.

  • J Marlow’s coooool campaign for Pepsi.

• Iconic ‘If Carlsberg did...’ slogan revived for summer campaign.

• Purely Elizabeth calls out the protein madness in new campaign.

• Asahi Super Dry’s AI Piccadilly Lights ad is never the same twice.

• Ueshima rebrand champions the Japanese art of coffee.

• Vimto tempts people who have yet to try the soft drink with a “flirty” summer campaign.

• Heineken pilots OpenTable program that rewards designated drivers.

• Callum Turner named global ambassador for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

• Danone wins ‘strong’ H1 performance as formula volumes recover in Europe.

• Harpoon and L.L.Bean celebrate 'Flannel Friday' with Fall Ale.

• Oscar Mayer fetes Wienermobile’s 90 years with Milk Bar hot dog cake.

• Casa Bacardí livestreams from Lollapalooza.

• Budweiser-maker AB InBev’s World Cup sales beat not enough to lift shares.

• Mutti wears its obsession on its fingertips in new ‘Muttiholic’ OOH campaign.

• Lactalis reprises ad for £1.2m Seriously Spreadable campaign.

• NÜTRL’s Korean launch proves K-pop endorsements have run out of steam.

• Michelob Ultra salutes Messi.

• EXTRA Gum rewrites football history with ‘Birth of Extra Time.’

• Matthew McConaughey revisits iconic line from beloved ’90s film with Tequila-fueled collab.

• Campari H1 sales up 2.7% as it divests brands.

• Sealord delivers searing ode to fish in new ‘We Love Fish’ platform via Motion Sickness.

• Rio Mare launches largest-ever UK marketing campaign.

• Tiger Beer’s TigerVAR turned football’s heated moments into a complimentary beer.

• Chupa Chups unveils ‘Free the Funshine’ campaign.

• Avocados from Mexico marks National Avocado Day with new AI tool.

• Snickers Ice Cream seeks chief online chill officer.

• Swaadesi turns everyday conversations into ‘A Biskut Moment.’

• Clover Smooth Yoghurt launches “Dumb Meeting” print campaign.

• Marmite and Dove owner Unilever warns of price rises due to growing costs.

• Burger King’s viral pregnancy test stunt was a bold move, but it worked.

• McDonald’s Canada turns community football event into a FIFA World Cup 2026 surprise.

• Luckin Coffee announces limited-time partnership with Duolingo.

• Hector’s Deli calls time on performative snapping in social-media satire.

• Yum bids Pizza Hut farewell, overhauls KFC.

• Chipotle is offering free Guac and Chips for 2 days only

• Pizza Hut takes “Kids Eat Free” literally with official goat policy.

• ASA bans Domino’s ad under LHF rules while McDonald’s avoids censure.

• C.C. Pazzini gives consumers a backstage tour of ‘The Best Pizza Value Anywhere’ for Cicis Pizza.

  • Cicis Pizza reports 50.6% systemwide sales growth, plans expansion.

• Specsavers hijacks world of sightseeing to get parents talking about children’s eyesight.

• Carl’s Jr. celebrates 85 years with $85,000 fan video contest.

• Wendy’s is bringing an international favorite meal to the U.S. for a limited time.

• Starbucks brings viral Unicorn Frappuccino to UK for first time.

• KFC rolls out brand new ‘street food’ menu with naan burgers and matcha drinks.

• Chick-Fil-A to open restaurant near Glasgow with first UK drive-thru.

• Whole Foods taps Fishwife for its first‑ever merch collaboration.

• Suvinil, a Sherwin-Williams brand, transforms community through one of Brazil’s largest inhabited Urban art Interventions.

• Taco Bueno leans into Tex-Mex thief chaos for Mike’s Hot Honey collaboration.

• Albertsons’ new ‘micro sitcom’ is a big deal for retail media.

• Sleepzone recalls its own products to keep Jordan awake for football.

• BIC South Africa launches “Also in crayon” print campaign.

• Sainsbury’s and Uber Eats extend Nectar loyalty points to grocery orders.

• Ariana Grande partners with Uber Eats to promote her new album.

  • Uber Eats launches Glow-in-the-Dark billboards.

• DoorDash turns mealtime temptation into mini blockbusters with “Not That Dramatic.”

• New Balance campaign reveals the slow path to fast football.

• Škoda’s new campaign puts the ‘Shhh’ into Škoda.

• Thomson Reuters unveils new AI mascot The CoCo.

• Fiat celebrates 50 years in Brazil.

• Maserati unveils ‘Never Stop Dreaming’ film with Alessandro Del Piero celebrating Italian ambition.

• Nothing Phone launches “We Have Brought NOTHING” OOH campaign.

• Inside Kia and WNBA legend Chiney Ogwumike’s Reddit video AMA session.

• Bose’s limited-edition Dewdrop Mint speaker in an aesthetic tin box meant to hold mints.

• Katt Williams exposes fools in TextNow’s first major brand campaign.

• Logitech ANZ launches new OOH campaign ‘Ditch the Jitters, Own the Spotlight.’

• Marketing stunt or ‘extraordinary’ transfer? Ravenna fans ride wave of the Ronaldinho Effect.

• adidas Hyperboost sparks a side quest in 'Euphoria' ad spot.

• Xfinity powers the next generation of creators with ‘Best in Class’ series.

• SAP gives AI panic 2,000 years of perspective.

• Kia releases ‘The Kia Vision Meta Turismo Design Story’ following Red Dot Design win.

• Audi celebrates art of engineering with Sky Sports F1 Idents.

• DAZN puts its own spin on Peaky Blinders’ iconic ‘No F*cking Fighting’ scene in The Romans ad spot.

• Progressive’s Dr. Rick finally gives up fighting ‘Parentamorphosis.’

• Hong Kong Tourism Board rolls out global brand refresh.

  • DNCO designs Vermont’s first-ever tourism brand.

• The Economist unveils TV ad spotlighting readers’ knowledge.

• easyJet and easyJet holidays’ Teddy Trackers offer parents summer peace of mind.

• Pets at Home celebrates the perfect poo in nutrition campaign.

• FCA launches nationwide car finance campaign.

• MoMA PS1 celebrates 50 years with new brand platform.

• The first newborn blanket designed to protect more than the body, but children’s hearing rights.

• Paddy Power turns wheel clamps into cheeky comedy media space.

• Quilter campaign marks the company’s TV debut.

• Tennessee Tourism puts a ‘Real Seal’ on photos AI can’t fake.

• City of Ottawa workers unsure about new campaign to keep them downtown after hours.

• Bank of the Philippine Islands finds everyday miracles in 'Himala' campaign.

• Network Rail tackles ‘tunnel vision’ of public shortcuts.

• Bain Capital agrees acquisition of Lalvani’s Vitabiotics to support growth and international expansion

• London’s wildlife steals limelight in Out of Home campaign.

• Actress Rebel Wilson pairs GLP-1s and healthy habits to lose weight ‘for keeps’ in new Noom campaign.

• GetYourGuide sets Ace of Hearts straight to work on social campaign

• Morgan & Morgan’s “Power Move” campaign makes a splash with a merman lifeguard.

• Income Insurance campaign shines a light on what’s worth protecting.

• Live Nation brings music festivals to Roblox.

• Gambler’s Help and Victorian Department of Health asks young people ‘Is betting getting you hooked?’ in new campaign via Showpony.

• M+C Saatchi installs blood-draining guernsey outside Sydney Swans HQ.

• Powerball campaign invites the UK to dream bigger than ever.

• Yonder delivers new PM a complimentary membership as London’s newest resident.

• Over one in 10 alcohol ads ‘could break rules’ by featuring under-25s, ASA study finds.

• Stagwell reports strong second quarter driven by new business wins.

• Born Social launches Born Creator community.

• Sweetgreen tapped Atmosphere TV To introduce World Cup viewers to its wraps..

• UK ad spend up 9.3% as market set to hit £50bn by year end.

• Fewer ads drive more attention on websites, finds Lumen and Mail Metro Media.

• Omnicom records 6.1% increase in organic growth in Q2 2026.

  • Omnicom trade marks new agency name after Hearts & Science/Mediahub merger.

• Eric Tom & Bruce rebrands to ETB Studio.

• Digital and programmatic drives strong performance for JCDecaux in H1.

• Popeyes names Anomaly its US creative agency as part of a broader roster overhaul.

• Adidas assigns media duties in $185m Chinese market.

• Gladstone Council seeks agencies for creative and marketing panel.

• Mark Anthony Brands International appoints UM as global media agency.

• Wendy’s names Agnostic as Canadian communications agency.

• BT to review agency support amid corporate affairs shake-up.

• AG Barr appoints VCCP Media as Media Agency of Record.

• Raymond brings in AT Kearney for ₹300-crore integrated agency review.

• Lucozade switches Omnicom agencies in search of sport.

• Cathay Pacific renews global agency mandate with Publicis Groupe.

• Aldi shortlists three networks in creative review.

• Think HQ beats three agencies to secure The Y’s creative account.

• EssenceMediacom retains Uber APAC media account.

  • Howatson+Company wins TikTok's APAC creative account.

• Subway appoints Tonic for full suite of earned communications in Australia.

• Dentsu Creative Isobar wins Bandhan Bank's creative mandate.

• Droga5 lands Woolworths creative account.

• ECOVACS appoints Havas Red Australia as integrated PR and social agency across ANZ.

• Beefeater hires Lucky Generals as agency of record.

• Viz names Bob’s Your Uncle AOR.

• Geely Auto picks indie shop for UK creative account.

Back on Sunday. Until then…