Your Weekly Marketing Roundup
The campaigns that happened this week, brand collaborations, product launches, appointments & exits and the latest business news
In today’s newsletter, we share the most talked-about campaigns from this week, from Olipop tapping into nostalgia with the launch of their ‘Soda Stories’ campaign to Timothée Chalamet becoming Cash App’s latest brand collaborator and McDonald’s “Side Missions” summer campaign.
For premium subscribers, we reveal the Media Impact Value (MIV) driven by brands and personalities at Wimbledon, highlight collaborations such as Peachy Den with Chicken Shop Date’s Amelia Dimoldenberg and share new product launches including Heaven Mayhem’s latest timepiece collection. Plus, a roundup of the latest news across the business, creator, and marketing industries.
OLIPOP Taps Into Nostalgia To Warm Consumers
Some stories begin with a fairytale. This one starts with a cold can of soda.
OLIPOP has officially launched Soda Stories, a nostalgic, multi-format campaign celebrating America’s enduring connection to soda culture.
Blending heartwarming storytelling with a nod to classic Americana, the campaign marks a strategic move to deepen emotional resonance with consumers.
Told through voices like Joshua Jackson, Kristin Chenoweth, and everyday community members, OLIPOP’s Soda Stories explores the deep emotional ties people have with soda, while reimagining what it can be today.
Inspired by the sentiment “I thought I had to give up soda… until I found OLIPOP,” the campaign highlights the brand’s mission: to redefine soda with bold flavour, nostalgia, and functional ingredients that support digestive health.
Ben Goodwin, OLIPOP Co-Founder and CEO commented:
“From the start, we’ve heard incredible stories from our community –some funny, heartfelt and deeply personal – about how OLIPOP brings back nostalgic memories of their love for soda through a healthier alternative that still delivers on the taste…with Soda Stories, we wanted to honour the memories that a single sip can spark–and the real sense of connection and comfort people feel when they discover OLIPOP.”
Rolling out all summer, Soda Stories is both a celebration of the past and a vision for soda’s future.
McDonald’s Gamifies the Everyday with ‘Side Missions’ Campaign
We’ve all made those spontaneous stops, on the way home, between errands, mid-road trip, just to grab a McDonald’s fix. Now, Leo Burnett and McDonald’s UK are turning those moments into missions.
Their new summer campaign aptly titled “Side Missions” taps into video game culture to reimagine fast food runs as playful quests. Whether you’re picking up a McMuffin or chasing a Big Mac, every visit becomes a chance to unlock offers, collect digital badges, and win real-world rewards; all through the MyMcDonald’s app.
Visually, the campaign is rooted in nostalgia and gaming culture. A cinematic hero spot directed by Elliott Power sets the tone, paired with vibrant, pixel-inspired graphics and UI overlays that mirror classic video games.
McDonald’s also brought in creators and gamers like Angry Ginge to extend the story across TikTok, OOH, and social platforms, further blurring the line between fast food and fandom.
Matthew Reischauer, Marketing Director, McDonald’s UK & IE, commented:
“With Side Missions, we’re giving fans more ways to celebrate the journey of life; it’s just as important as the destination.”
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Because of Marketing to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.