Sponsorship
Sponsoring the Olympics is typically a winning move for brands. But with so much scandal at Sochi, sponsors are feeling the chill. Spafax’s Kristina Velan reports on what the controversy means for brands. more
The Sparkbeat
This month’s feature article presented a tricky problem for Sparksheet’s design team: How do you riff on Coca-Cola’s iconic brand image without crossing into cliché territory? Because title images (“hero graphics” for you designers)… more
When a dominant global brand goes all in on content, it’s hard not to assume it’s got it figured out. Social media expert Mark Higginson dives into the data behind Coca-Cola Journey and discovers some hard truths. more
Q&A
The Coca-Cola Company surprised the marketing world last fall by relaunching its website as a “digital magazine” called Coca-Cola Journey. We spoke to Ashley Brown, Director of Digital Communications and Social Media, about the company’s… more
The Sparkbeat
More than a hundred million American sports fans will be glued to their TVs this Sunday for Super Bowl XLVII. The rest of the world will be paying attention to the ads. And for good reason: This year could turn out to be the high-water mark for… more
Branded Entertainment
Theme parks aren’t all fun and games. They’re also powerful marketing tools for adventurous brands. From Ferrari in Abu Dhabi to Angry Birds in Finland, companies are cashing in on the good vibes, says Belgian marketer Floris Lefever. more
Agency Culture
We’re used to seeing work and play as opposites. But adding a little playfulness to the workplace makes for more creative employees and more attractive brands, explains Dutch creative consultant Annemarie Steen.
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The Sparkbeat
Super Bowl commercials have always been hyped, but these days brands are looking beyond TV to reach American football fans before, during, and after the biggest sports event of the year. From pre-game contests to post-game hangouts, social media has… more
Q&A
With brands like Pirates of the Caribbean and Coke on his resumé, Jeff Gomez is one of the world’s leading producers of transmedia entertainment. We caught up with him in San Francisco to talk about branded content, gamification and… more
Online Diversity
The smartphone has officially gone mainstream, but its most enthusiastic adopters are not who you think they are. Marketing strategist Tracy Bains explores how brands are using mobile to reach America’s tech-savvy ethnic minorities. more