Vote for 2020’s Top Ads

The Moldy Whopper. Nike’s split-screen masterpiece. Ocean Spray capitalizing on Nathan Apodaca’s viral TikTok. Nineteen Eighty Fortnite. These iconic brand moments are among those that have come to define marketing in 2020—but which one do YOU think had the most impact? Over the next couple of weeks on Twitter and Instagram, you’ll find daily #AdOfTheYear polls that will determine the Reader’s Choice honoree.

Check out the full bracket of contenders here and learn how, where and when to vote.

Change is likely to continue at breakneck speed in the coming year. Josh Cole, CMO of Sky Zone, took a look at the trends and themes that marketers need to keep an eye on in 2021. One key area of focus will be the new customer behaviors that will stick around into next year (and beyond) and which 2020 expectations might become less important over time. For example, will “ghost kitchens” continue to be a greater part of this new normal—and how will advertising need to adapt?

Also on the horizon: Marketers can expect to see more adaptations to social justice issues, a cookie-less future and more.

Back in October, Motel 6 touched off a wave of backlash against The Richards Group when it fired the agency in reaction to a racist comment by founder Stan Richards. The moment led many other high-profile clients, including Keurig Dr. Pepper, The Salvation Army and The Home Depot, to drop the agency as well, after which Richards departed. Now, Motel 6 has found a new agency of record in Kansas City indie Barkley following a review. (Barkley has an interesting story: It bought back all of its stock last year to strengthen its independence as an agency.)

A continued shift: The move also follows internal restructuring at Motel 6.

Related: Chicago-based agency Highdive has been named agency of record for auto insurance company The General, and selected as creative agency of record by candy brand Airheads.

Ajit Pai, who has been chairman of the FCC since 2017, announced that he’ll step down upon Joe Biden’s inauguration. In the role, Pai largely championed deregulation, overseeing the merger of T-Mobile and Sprint and rolling back net neutrality rules established during the Obama administration. He was also involved in Trump’s ineffective efforts to get the FCC to oversee social media platforms after the president claimed that they tended to censor public figures along party lines.

Here’s what Pai’s departure means for marketers.

Music, radio and the auto industry have been integrally intertwined for more than half a century. Now that connection is evolving as brands like Hyundai, Cadillac and Ford take aim at customer ears with more audio advertising on streaming services and podcasts. These campaigns have been elaborate, with partnerships that yield microsites, custom playlists, personalized videos, audio ads and more.

Aiming for millennials: Learn how Spotify and Volkswagen created an immersive “3D” audio experience.

More of Today’s Top News & Highlights:

It’s tough to be a kid, navigating life and friendships when you’re still figuring out who you are—and that’s especially challenging amid a pandemic. That’s why nonprofit Childline and agency The Gate created a stop-motion ad set to Radiohead’s Creep to help out. Watch here.

Join us for our next DEI event, The Unaccounted: Adweek MENA Summit on 12/4 at 12pm ET, as marketing and industry leaders of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent share their experiences of feeling unaccounted for, especially when it comes to U.S. standards, and how they are personally navigating discussions on diversity, equity, inclusion. Register for free.

How thinking—and resting—as a team will help everyone.

He's willing to forgive and even admire a few sins, given the circumstances.

The chain is promoting the Mexican debut of the popular menu item.

The plan is to market Reishi as an 'exotic material.'

The 21-day experience aims to gamify purchasing products from 7 advertisers.

The retailer, which is also one of the world's largest restaurant chains, promises affordability and sustainability.