In the innovative world of marketing and advertising, here are always new strategies to consider and lessons to be learned. Check out the top stories this week, from brands both new and old.

Busch Light –> Busch Latte

Forget the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Busch Latte, anyone? Beer brand Busch Light has released a new campaign using their fans’ “affectionate nickname” for their drink. In a new ad, Busch Light mocks cheesy coffee commercials from the 80s and 90s, featuring a group of men waking up to enjoy a fresh cup of Busch Latte in the morning. They’ve even rebranded their label to read “Busch Latte.”

Busch Light has tapped into a number of recent advertising trends, including nostalgia, satire and packaging changes. While other brands tend to roll out limited-edition campaigns in major metropolitan areas, Busch Light knows its audience. “Busch Latte” cans will be available only in certain Midwestern states. The campaign also corresponds with an updated brand tagline: “Brewed for America’s Heartland.” Check out more here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/busch-rides-pumpkin-spice-buzz-with-latte-brews-nostalgic-ad/560471/

Chick-fil-A Takeover

 There’s a new fast food king in town. Recent data from a Gordon Haskett report has shown that when a new Chick-fil-A restaurant opens, nearby McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King locations all see sudden declines in foot traffic. Chick-fil-A is also one of the only “quick-service” chains that has seen an annual growth rate in the high single digits.

The chicken chain isn’t slowing down any time soon. They become the third-largest restaurant in the US by sales in 2018, and they have plans to open their first Canada location later this year. In addition to selling only chicken products, the brand is perhaps best known for their speedy and unfailingly polite customer service. Why do you think Chick-fil-A is seeing so much more growth than other fast-food brands? See all the details here: https://www.businessinsider.com/chick-fil-a-american-growth-threatens-wendys-burger-king-2019-8

Bill Nye the Starbucks Guy

Everyone loves a nice, cold iced coffee, especially in the middle of one of the hottest summers on record. The nitro cold brew from Starbucks is a new and trendy iced coffee option – but what does “nitro” actually mean? To increase awareness of their new drink, Starbucks enlisted the help of everyone’s favorite science guy, Bill Nye.

In a series of short videos, Bill Nye breaks down the science behind the nitro cold brew and what makes it different from other iced drinks. Starbucks also created six-second versions of the videos to share on social media. It’s a far cry from the VHS science lessons we learned from Bill Nye decades ago. Why do you think Starbucks chose him as the face of their latest campaign? Watch the ads here and let us know your thoughts: https://www.adweek.com/creativity/what-is-nitro-cold-brew-starbucks-and-bill-nye-school-you-on-todays-trendiest-coffee/

The One with the Pop-Up

It has been 25 years since Friends debuted in 1994, but it still remains one of the most loved TV shows to this day. Fans have flocked to small pop-ups and the Warner Bros. studio to get a taste of the show in the past, and next month, they’ll be able to immerse themselves in the Friends world more than ever before.

Warner Bros. and Superfly recently announced a Friends-themed pop-up in New York City that will debut in September and run through the beginning of October. The set-up will include a retail store, set re-creations (including the beloved Central Perk), famous props and even the iconic fountain from the theme song. Tickets are priced at $29.50, and fans can reserve a time slot in anticipation of long lines. What about this show has allowed it to retain such a loyal following and brand awareness a quarter a century after it premiered? Find out more about the experience here: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2019/07/29/friends-pop-up-experience-open-new-york-city