Keeping up with the most important marketing and advertising news just got a lot easier! Get the scoop on the marketing and advertising news you need to know this week.

The Toys “R” Us Rebrand That Almost Was

In June, the once-beloved toy superstore Toys “R” Us officially shut down their stores after first filing for bankruptcy last September. In between filing and announcing the final closures, Toys “R” Us employed branding firm Lippincott to come up with a rebrand, targeting a specific market: “parennials”, or parent millennials. Lippincott focused on creating a feeling of nostalgia and connecting with customers on price, convenience and a more personalized experience. Could a brand refresh have really saved Toys “R” Us? Find out more here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90212163/the-doomed-toys-r-us-rebrand-that-never-came-to-be

Bug Light’s Victory Fridge

In a clever experiential marketing move, Bud Light has introduced a series of “Victory Fridges” for the Cleveland Browns. After the nationwide success of their “Dilly Dilly” advertisements last season, the brand is focusing on the struggling Browns (they haven’t won a game since December 2016) and their loyal fans. Fridges filled with Bud Light have been installed in Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium and surrounding sports bars, but with a catch – they’re locked, and will automatically unlock only when the Browns win their first game of the season. Can experiences like this revive declining beer sales, or is it just an over-the-top gimmick? Let us know your thoughts. https://www.marketingdive.com/news/bud-lights-fridge-only-unlocks-when-cleveland-browns-kick-their-losing-str/530109/

Dennis Quaid’s New Gig

Not a fan of dealing with your insurance company? You’re not alone – and you’re just the person Esurance is targeting with their new “Surprisingly Painless” campaign. In the first commercial, Dennis Quaid, the brand’s new spokesperson, speaks directly to the audience, explaining how he’s in a commercial and is there to talk about Esurance’s simple and painless plans. The premise of the advertisement reflects Esurance’s overall message of transparency, authenticity and simplicity while maintaining a humorous and lighthearted tone. Check it out here: http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/esurance-taps-dennis-quaid-brand-refresh/314606/

McDonald’s New Tech-y Chicago Flagship

The world’s most popular fast-food restaurant is continuing to shift their focus to technology, modernization and sustainability with the opening of a new flagship store in downtown Chicago. The store features self-serve kiosks, mobile ordering and payment as well as outdoor seating and plazas. McDonald’s is the latest in a line of chain restaurants to shift focus to mobile orders, convenience and sleeker design, despite mixed feedback from customers – more than 80 percent have had a technical issue at a store, hindering their overall experience with the brand. Read more here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/mcdonalds-reveals-new-tech-focused-flagship-store-in-chicago/529902/

Pinterest is the Place for Back-to-School Shoppers

Big brands like Kohl’s, DSW and The Children’s Place are using Pinterest to reach parents during this back-to-school shopping season. And it makes sense why: Pinterest reports 80 percent of US moms are on its social network, and ad spending growth on Pinterest is outpacing both Facebook and Twitter by 10 percent. Between late July and August, Pinterest expects over 50 million shoppers to use their platform for back-to-school product ideas. But is it enough to compete with Instagram? Find out here: https://marketingland.com/pinterest-says-it-will-attract-some-50m-back-to-school-shoppers-this-season-245883