When AI Misses the Mark: The Need for Human Connection in Marketing
AI is everywhere these days, from chatbots to content creation. It’s clear that AI can do a lot of heavy lifting, but there are still things it just can’t do like humans can. When it comes to connecting with people, the human touch is irreplaceable.
Nike x LEGO: Building a New Era of Play and Creativity
Nike and LEGO are teaming up to bring the worlds of sport and play together in a way we’ve never seen before. This multi-year global partnership, set to launch this year, combines the creative power of LEGO bricks with Nike’s "Just Do It" spirit, creating endless opportunities for kids to get active, imaginative, and inspired.
The Meme Movement: How Brands Embraced Humor in 2024
At the end of last year, we wrote a blog post about how 2023 became the year of “girlhood”—a time when Barbie made a comeback, friendship bracelets were traded, and everything pink was embraced. It was a year full of nostalgia, self-expression, and lighthearted moments.
Fast forward to now, and we’re living in the "year of the meme." The focus has shifted to humor, memes, and a more authentic, relaxed approach to marketing. Brands are moving away from perfectly polished content and embracing a more playful, human connection with their audience.
Pause is Power: Powerade’s Approach to Athlete Mental Health
Powerade just launched The Athletes Code, a new initiative that allows athletes to take a break from their sponsorship commitments to focus on their mental health—without the fear of losing their partnership. This program is part of Powerade’s larger Pause is Power platform, which encourages athletes to step back when they need to and return stronger, not just physically, but mentally as well.
When Technology Falls Short: Coca-Cola’s AI Ad and the Value of Real Creativity
Coca-Cola’s holiday ads are a tradition. For years, they’ve captured the magic of the season—iconic red trucks, twinkling lights, and Santa Claus bringing smiles to families everywhere. But this year, the company tried something different, using generative AI to create its Christmas campaign.
The result? A lot of disappointed fans.
The Ordinary’s ‘Slowvember’ Campaign: A Black Friday Reality Check
Black Friday is tomorrow, and you can almost hear the sound of shopping carts (both physical and virtual) filling up at lightning speed. But while most brands are turning up the pressure, The Ordinary is doing the exact opposite with their ‘Slowvember’ campaign.
The Eras Effect: How Taylor Swift’s Tour is Leaving Its Mark on Toronto
The Eras tour has officially made it to Toronto.
Whether you’re a fan of her music or not, there’s no denying the massive impact Taylor Swift has had on the city—and every city she’s visited
Cup of Cheer: How Starbucks’ Holiday Cups Spark Joy and Drive Sales
It’s been a week since Starbucks dropped their holiday menu (we’re already hooked on the caramel brulée lattes), and along with it, the return of those iconic holiday cups. For 27 years, these cups have marked the start of the season, becoming a symbol of the warmth and excitement that make the holidays feel so special.
Website Design Case Study: Bringing Stories to Life
We partnered with Lion & Bear to build a custom Shopify website designed to elevate their online presence, streamline subscription management, and increase visibility—all while staying true to their child-centred, story-driven brand.
Martha Stewart: Inmate to Icon
If you’re anything like us, you spent last Sunday curled up on the couch watching Netflix’s new Martha Stewart documentary. And let’s just say—it did not disappoint. Martha’s story is full of ups and downs, showing how she built an empire, lost it all (and then some), and came back in a way that no one saw coming.
Fast Food Frights: McDonald’s and Burger King’s Iconic Rivalry
Few brands have mastered the art of rivalries like McDonald’s and Burger King. It’s a playful battle that’s spanned decades, with both using creativity and humour to keep people entertained, no matter where their burger loyalty lies. In honour of Halloween, zeroing in on Burger King’s 2017 #ScaryClownNight campaign.
Wicked Collaborations: The Partnerships Behind the Magic
Last year, the Barbie movie took over our feeds and our hearts. With a $145 million budget, it was impossible to miss.
Now, all eyes are on Wicked as it gears up to make its entrance. With a matching budget, we're all wondering if they can stir up that same level of hype and box office magic. They're going all out with some fabulous collaborations, and we’re highlighting some of our faves!
Travel Shops Are Here: Expedia’s Influencer-Driven Approach
If you’re into travel content on social media, you’re going to want to check this out.
Expedia has launched Travel Shops, allowing creators to set up their own personalized storefronts in the app. With over 100 Travel Shops now available, you can find genuine recommendations from influencers you trust.
Gap x Cult Gaia: The Collab We Didn’t Know We Needed
Wait, does Gap have really cute clothes, or are we just getting old?!
Nope, it’s not just us. Gap is officially stepping up its game, and their latest collaboration with Cult Gaia proves they’re moving past the classic jeans-and-crewneck combo your grandma used to love.
Standing Out in the Wellness Space: What Rhode Can Teach Us
In a fiercely competitive health and wellness industry, standing out in a saturated market is no small task. But there’s one brand that continues to come out on top and keeps us coming back for more—Rhode. Launched in June of 2022, the brand made a major impact, hitting $10 million in sales in just 11 days and drawing over 1 million sign-ups on their waitlist.
So what makes them so successful? Read more...
Mob Mentality: A Lesson in Marketing from Georgia Costello
Georgia Costello, the Vancouver-based entrepreneur behind bikini brand Strawberry Milk Mob, is redefining how brands engage on social media. With 2.2 million TikTok followers and 282k on Instagram, Georgia didn’t grow her platform by pushing products. Instead, she built her audience by simply being herself.
Wellness on Your Terms: OLLY Canada’s Empowering Campaign for Women’s Health
Earlier this week, OLLY Canada proudly introduced their latest campaign, "Wellness on Your Terms," and let me tell you, it’s a breath of fresh air. This campaign is a powerful step towards empowering women to take charge of their health and challenge the taboos that often surround women’s wellness.
Give Limitless Possibilities: Barbie’s Gift of Dreaming Big
Celebrating 65 years of inspiring dreams, Barbie has partnered with WNBA legend Sue Bird, one of the brand’s 2024 Role Models, to kick off their newest campaign, “Give Limitless Possibilities.” The ad poses a question: If you could give the kids in your life anything, what would it be?
“Winning Isn’t For Everyone” Campaign: Nike’s Statement on Success
Nike is taking a bold stance with its latest campaign, “Winning Isn’t For Everyone.” With Willem Dafoe narrating and featuring Olympic stars like LeBron James, Sophia Smith, and A’ja Wilson, the ad is a reflection of Nike’s commitment to showcasing what it takes to achieve greatness.
The Power of Branding for Your Health and Wellness Business
In a world where first impressions are often made online, having a strong and cohesive brand is more important than ever. For health and wellness businesses, your brand isn’t just a logo or a colour scheme—it’s the essence of how you present yourself to the world and connect with your audience.