Welcome back to another episode of The Barber’s Brief. A segment where we cover news that caught our eye, a marketing moment where we highlight a case study, and our ad of the week.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Our Hosts:

Follow our updates here: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/sleeping-barber/⁠⁠

Get in touch with our hosts:

Marc Binkley: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbinkley/

Vassilis Douros: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassilisdouros/⁠

In The News:

Adidas weans itself off discounting - https://www.marketingweek.com/adidas-discounting-annual-loss/

Google loses in local search to Instagram, TikTok among Gen Z - https://www.marketingdive.com/news/google-tiktok-instagram-local-search-preference-gen-z/710130/

Demand Gen vs. Meeting Consumer’s Unmet Needs - https://www.instagram.com/p/C4RV9NnP6jU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

AI-Powered ad ignites creator controversy on Instagram - https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/14/ai-powered-ad-ignites-creator-controversy-on-instagram

Three SWSX-inspired trends to consider adding to your brand playbook - https://www.thedrum.com/opinion/2024/03/15/sxsw-2024-bold-experiential-marketing-took-center-stage

Elon Musk’s “Grok” AI company is now open-source - https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/18/why-elon-musks-ai-company-open-sourcing-grok-matters-and-why-it-doesnt/

Marketing Moment:

Apologize the Rainbow - DDB Chicago

9 Years Ago, Skittles changed the flavour of green Skittles from Lime to Apple

Over the years, they’d get about 20k tweets per year of people hating on Skittles and asking the company to bring back lime flavour

Supporting Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_kxj8dhdjo&list=TLGG6HNwK54Wga4xMTAzMjAyNA

https://www.thedrum.com/news/2024/03/11/how-ddb-chicago-made-apologize-the-rainbow-the-most-awarded-ad-the-last-year

Ad of the Week

Amazon celebrates grassroots players in Uefa Women’s football commercial

Amazon's European-wide brand campaign highlights the passion and determination of real women's football players, emphasizing how playing women's football boosts confidence and self-assurance both on and off the pitch.

Link: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2024/03/15/ad-the-day-amazon-celebrates-grassroots-players-uefa-women-s-football-short