This week, we’re thankful for innovative brands and campaigns that keep our marketing and advertising world interesting. Catch up on all the hottest news with us in our Weekly Must Reads.

Brands Are Seeing “Red” (Taylor’s Version)

Last week, Taylor Swift’s fans celebrated the release of her new album, “Red (Taylor’s Version),” by setting a Spotify record for most single-day streams by a female artist. However, they weren’t the only ones excited about Swift’s re-released album. Countless brands joined the conversation around “Red” on social media, including Sour Patch Kids, Panera Bread, and Starbucks, who also launched a “Taylor’s Latte” drink in collaboration with the singer.

By inserting themselves into a major pop culture moment, these brands earned extra engagement from legions of excited Swifties. Even small businesses can use this strategy effectively, by paying attention to events that will be popular with their target audience and adjusting their marketing accordingly. Find out more about how brands responded to “Red” here: https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/taylor-swift-red-starbucks-sour-patch-kids-panera-social-media-how-to-market-your-brand.html

A New Future Begins with Chipotle

Chipotle’s latest cause-focused campaign, which kicked off with a short film titled “A Future Begins,” is part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to support young farmers. The stop motion animated film features a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” sung by country star Kacey Musgraves, and will make its national debut on Thanksgiving during the Raiders-Cowboys football game. The video tells the true story of a Chipotle farmer’s child who came home after college to introduce new, sustainable technology and helped save the family farm.

Additionally, Chipotle has launched related merchandise with clothing brand Carhartt, which includes an apron, jacket and hat. Sales will help support the National Young Farmer’s Coalition, with whom Chipotle has been lobbying Congress to invest more money and land into local farmers. Catch up on all the campaign details here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/chipotle-supports-young-farmers-with-kacey-musgraves-carhartt-collaboratio/610137/

Bacardi Brings the Heat to the North Pole

Who says there can’t be island vibes on the North Pole? In their first holiday campaign, Bacardi’s “Winter Summerland” imagines a frosty beach lined with tropical bars, colorful umbrellas, island music and Bacardi cocktails. According to a Bacardi spokesperson, the ads are meant to “instill a sense of spontaneity into the holidays,” and help consumers reinvent their celebrations this year.

In addition to airing campaign ads on TV and social, Bacardi is also dabbling in experiential and out-of-home methods. In December, the brand plans to take over Times Square for an hour to showcase the ads they created for the campaign. Watch the first three “Winter Summerland” videos here: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/11/19/bacardi-banishes-winter-chills-bringing-taste-the-caribbean-lapland

A Brand Refresh for Papa Johns

Last week, pizza brand Papa Johns unveiled the first update to its logo in more than 10 years. The refresh includes simplifying the logo to a text-only design, dropping the apostrophe from the name, and tweaking its traditional red brand color. However, they’ll keep their long-standing tagline, “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” Papa Johns Chief Commercial Officer, Max Wetzel, attributes the logo change to an effort for their brand to become more digital-friendly, with branding that looks and displays better on screens. Others also speculate that the refresh will help Papa Johns further distance itself from its controversial founder.

Other incoming changes for Papa Johns include an update to their store layout, which will create clearer paths for both carryout customers and delivery workers. The brand also plans to introduce a more modern interior design that will showcase the new logo, as well as its focus on “better ingredients.” Learn more about the brand’s efforts here: https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/papa-johns-has-new-logo/2380406