Plus, how 5 retailers pivoted during the pandemic ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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First Things First
 
May 20, 2020
By Jess Zafarris
 
 
Lizzo Covers The Beatles for Facebook's Ad Launching Messenger Rooms
 

Facebook called upon some serious star power for a new ad announcing the launch of its Messenger Rooms, a group chat that promises a blend of sharable ease and privacy options. The 30-second spot, “Pictures” from agency Leo Burnett and Facebook’s Creative X studio, was co-directed by brothers Michel and Olivier Gondry and is set to a cover of The Beatles’ “All Together Now” by Lizzo. (Also, this is probably the best use of The Beatles in an ad since this Volkswagen recreation of the band's Abbey Road album cover.)

Watch it: Created entirely in quarantine, the visually fluid spot shows group photos quickly transitioning into group chats.

Check out more great creative from yesterday:

 
 
 
 
 
5 Ways Retailers Pivoted During the Pandemic

During the virtual event Adweek Elevate: Commerce, our editors spoke with leaders in the marketing, advertising, media and technology sectors to bring into focus the salient topics and emerging trends shaking the commercial sphere today. Here are a few key insights from the event:

  • Walgreens' Alyssa Raine advised brands to explore new platforms, explaining how the brand's annual Red Nose Day fundraiser went digital, giving donors a link to a red nose filter compatible with different social platforms rather than the usual physical noses.
  • Hilary Coles of Hims and Hers advised brands to help "de-risk" purchases for consumers to make them feel confident that they are in control of their purchases, which is especially important in the healthcare space.
  • Panera's Scott Nelson reminded us to stay nimble, highlighting the brand's quick launch of Panera Grocery, which leveraged the chain's extensive pantry of food to meet the needs of people nervous about going to the grocery store.

Read more: Several speakers emphasized that successful businesses moved at the speed of the pandemic.

Our team is working hard to continue bringing you the latest information to guide marketing professionals through the crisis. Support Adweek's coverage with an Adweek Pro Subscription.

 
 
 
Ad Industry Couple Raises Over $20,000 to Help Formerly Incarcerated New Yorkers

The pandemic has made the transition from inmate back into the real world particularly difficult, with jobs, clothing and hygiene products hard to come by. So Ashish Prashar of Publicis Sapient and freelance strategist Mary Rinaldi called on the ad industry to support “Be a Good Neighbor,” a campaign focused on providing these basic necessities. Six weeks into fundraising, the campaign had already surpassed their $5,000 goal, and now it has surpassed $20,000.

Read more: Other agency leaders including R/GA chief strategy officer Tom Morton also expressed support for Be a Good Neighbor. 

Do you work with a fearless chief marketer who bursts with ideas, breaks with convention and delivers measurable results? Nominate them for Adweek's Brand Genius Awards.

 
 
 
Highlights From Day 2 of ViacomCBS's Virtual Upfront Event

Following the Viacom-centric first day of its two-day virtual upfront event ViacomCBS Upfront @Home, ViacomCBS' Day 2 presentation again emphasized that advertisers and CBS were “simply stronger” together, and highlighted the network's fall slate.

Unlike Fox and The CW, which created largely pandemic-proof fall lineups packed with acquired series and other already-filmed shows, CBS's tried-and-true slate fall slate includes renewing 23 current shows for next season and two new series—meaning it's almost entirely dependent on production being able to resume this summer. The network's presentation remained optimistic, though, and noted it's preparing to turn around episodes more quickly than usual to account for delays.

Webinar: As consumers search for new content, learn how media companies are identifying and activating new audiences that both increase market share and drive retention. Join our webinar, airing live at 1 p.m. ET today.

More of Today's Top News and Highlights

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As Electric Bikes Boom in Popularity, Specialized Fuels the Trend With a Jab at Trump
 

A new ad from Goodby Silverstein & Partners touting Specialized's Turbo ebike line is equal parts hopeful and mischievous. In typical GSP style, there is an unignorable whimsy and gravity at the same time, with striking visuals, anchored with immersive sound focusing on the environmental message—along with a well-placed jab at Donald Trump.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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LIVE TODAY: Athleta and Chipotle CMOs on the Way Forward
 

Catch episode 5 of Adweek Presents: The Way Forward today at 3 p.m. ET featuring Chipotle CMO Chris Brandt and Athleta CMO Sheila Shekar Pollak in conversation with Adweek’s Lisa Granatstein. Adweek Pro members, register today and stream live today. Not an Adweek Pro member? Subscribe for as low as $1 a week for the first 6 weeks of access.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industry Leaders Offer Their Predictions on the Future of Work

Justin Finnegan, Vice President, SHIFT Communications

"Some folks are realizing they are doing the best work of their career working remotely, and we’ll need to find ways to foster that that without sacrificing team culture or availability. Trying to spend time and effort to return to the way we worked even two months ago will be like swimming against the current. Flexibility and adaptability will win the day."

Barry Lowenthal, CEO, Media Kitchen

"I think travel will be greatly reduced, especially in the short term. We've proven we don't need it to be productive and creative."

Nolan Fitch, Account Manager, Modifly

"I think these last two months have truly showed how many meetings or conference calls could have just been emails in the first place. It's easier for almost everyone involved, but the downfall is that it is much hard to form strong bonds with clients without that face-to-face interaction."

 
 
 
 
 
#PridePledge Asks Corporations to Pivot Funds They Aren't Using on Pride Festivals This Year
 

Brands can use the money to help LGBTQ community affected by Covid-19.

 
 
 
 
 
Mental Well-Being Is a Privilege and Needs to Be Approached as Such
 

Not everyone has the tools available, but agencies can help in other ways.

 
 
 
 
 
A Few How-To Videos Became the Best Marketing Investment Wahl Has Made in Years
 

Americans learned how to cut hair at home during the pandemic—and bought a lot of clippers to do it.

 
 
 
 
 
This Office Rental Startup Held a Hackathon to Brainstorm Ways to Return to Work Safely
 

Conference room caps and carpool commutes were among the ideas considered.

 
 
 
 
 
Adweek Together: The Future of Custom Content Studios
 

Publishers look beyond the news of the day for future growth.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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