The Daily Carnage

The savvy marketer's hub for industry news, insights, resources, and culture.

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Passion for Fashion

Bratz has found a way to stay culturally relevant by re-creating pop culture itself with its signature sass and edge.

The 25-year-old brand has built a massive social following by transforming celebrities, memes, and viral moments into Bratzified illustrations and animations.

One of the brand’s most viral TikTok posts—an animated re-creation of a Euphoria scene—got over 42 million views. While originally a kids’ brand, Bratz now primarily targets Gen Z and millennials who grew up with the dolls.

And the social team works fast. A Grammys red carpet post featuring Lady Gaga and Chappell Roan was created in just 18 hours—and without AI. The brand’s in-house team also produces Alwayz Bratz, an animated social series with over 50 million organic views.

“We’ve evolved with our audience. Whatever’s hot in pop culture goes down [from young adults] to kids and up to parents and older,” MGA Entertainment’s CMO Josh Jackbarth told Marketing Brew.

Lost in Suburbia

Thinking of leaving NYC? StreetEasy has something to say about that.

Research shows that 92% of folks who left the city feel some regret, primarily missing the small, everyday experiences unique to New York.

SteetEasy and Mother New York have launched the “Never Become a Former New Yorker” campaign, featuring former New Yorkers experiencing bitter buyer’s remorse—like eating trash pizza in the suburbs and realizing that “cul-de-sac” is just a fancy term for a “dead end.”

Former residents can even call a hotline, 1-833-I-MISS-NYC, to share what they miss most or listen to iconic city sounds, such as the Manhattan Bridge underpass near East Broadway. Large-scale, hand-painted murals are also planned for Williamsburg and SoHo in April.

Banking on Blizzards

Against all odds, Dairy Queen Canada is workin’ hard to build an association between a cold winter’s day and a delicious DQ Blizzard.

The brand is transforming snow piles all over the country into giant Blizzards, complete with 7-foot-tall red DQ spoons and giant Smarties mix-ins.

Each Blizzard Bank has a QR code on the spoon, which gives passersby a chance to win free Blizzards for a year.

“Ultimately, we want people to think of DQ Blizzards every time they see a snowbank. By creating Blizzard Banks, we’re simply reinforcing something that people already know… DQ Blizzards are the ultimate treat regardless of weather conditions,” said Vini Dalvi, chief creative officer of Publicis Toronto.

U Up?

IKEA Canada and Rethink just wrapped a clever late-night campaign to engage sleepless social media users.

The brand sent cheeky little “u up?” DMs on Instagram to late-night scrollers. Those who responded were offered discounts on IKEA mattresses.

“If you’re seeing this, you need a better mattress. So, we’re offering you a discount on an IKEA mattress to help you sleep better.”

Users who were down for some playful banter between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. were even surprised with a free mattress.

The multi-channel campaign was supported by “u up?” billboards alongside promotions for a 15% discount on all mattresses.

ChatGPzZz

We’ve been talking a lot lately about how important it is to monitor how LLMs perceive your brand.

Antihistamine brand Allegra has applied this insight in a new influencer-supported campaign.

“Drowsy Prompts” is driven by the insight that AI knows—without any training—that Allegra won’t make you drowsy the way its competitors’ allergy medications can.

When asked to perform tasks “under the influence” of these competitors, AI produces a sleepy, sluggish response. Try the same prompt with Allegra and you’ll get a sharp, focused answer.

“We’re proud of Drowsy Prompts because it allowed us to co-create a campaign together with our audience powered by simple AI technology,” said Samuel Morisse, Zone brand head for Allegra US.

Real Gains

Elmo has recuperated from all of our trauma dumping and returned to remind us to be a little softer on ourselves.

In the warmly lit and fuzzy feelin’ “Soft Wins” spot, created by Flower Shop for the release of On’s Cloudsurfer 2 running shoes, Elmo repositions running as a joyful practice of self-love, growth, and community.

“When thinking about who could embody the spirit of softness, Elmo and his kindness and compassion—not to mention his soft, red fur—immediately came to mind,” said Alex Griffin, On’s chief marketing officer.

Nip Slip

Sorry for the unsolicited butt. But! It’s for a good cause.

Droga5 and Perky just pulled off a genius move to outsmart social media censorship while shining a light on breast cancer survivor support.

Perky, a San Antonio-based clinic specializing in ultra-realistic 3D nipple tattoos for survivors, kept getting flagged on Instagram.

The loophole? Nipples are only censored on women’s chests—anywhere else, they’re fair game. (That’s a fight for another day.)

So, Perky did free nipple tattoos on thighs, abdomens, and butt cheeks, capturing content that social platforms couldn’t take down.

“‘Skin in the Game’ was about more than just visibility. It was about finding new, creative ways to break barriers and support those who need it most,” said Lauren Varvara, executive creative director at Droga5 New York.

Double Dipping

Did you notice that the Little Caesars and Pringles spots during the Super Bowl both hinged on the same creative concept?

That is… eloping facial hair.

Eugene Levy’s iconic eyebrows flew off in the pizza campaign, while Andy Reid’s and Nick Offerman’s mustaches flew off in the crisp campaign.

The brands quickly collaborated on a social post to acknowledge the coincidence and tease an “official” collaboration—with lots of other brands having fun in the comments.