Catching up on the latest marketing and advertising news has never been easier! Read our rundown of the stories you need to know this week.

Facebook Reintroduces Search Ads

After first trying sponsored results in 2012, Facebook has begun retesting search ads in its search results and Marketplace. Facebook has allowed a small number of automotive, retail and e-commerce companies to place advertisements on mobile search results pages in the US and Canada. The ads will look similar to those placed in the News Feed, featuring a headline, image, copy text and a link.

It’s no coincidence this feature launches at the end of a troubled year for Facebook. Search ads represent an opportunity for a new revenue stream to kickstart their slowing growth. How do you think consumers will react to this revamped ad format? https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/11/facebook-search-ads-2/

Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin Video

The Ryan Reynolds-owned Aviation Gin brand has released a new promotional video to describe “The Process” of making their drink. Reynolds brings his signature sarcastic sense of humor to his narration of the video, sharing hilarious details, such as how the drink’s ingredients are misted with his tears and serenaded with the music of Sarah McLachlan. Start your day with a chuckle and watch the full snarky ad here: https://www.thedrum.com/news/2018/12/13/ads-we-ryan-reynolds-narrates-aviation-gin-video-with-tongue-firmly-planted-cheek

Vitaminwater Will Pay You to Go Smartphone-Free

Nostalgic for the “good old days” before smartphones and social media? We’ve got just the contest for you. Vitaminwater is running a contest to find out if someone can go a full year without using a smartphone or tablet. To enter, social media users must post on Twitter or Instagram using campaign hashtags and report what they’ll do during their phone-less year. The company will select one contestant to complete the challenge and give them a 90’s-era cell phone to use instead. If the winning contestant makes it the full year, Vitaminwater will shell out $100,000.

The contest targets our country’s widespread use of and obsession with smartphones. Vitaminwater says they like challenging monotony and are taking a stance against routine. Do you think one of the 92 percent of smartphone-owning millennials is up to the challenge? Find out more here: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/13/vitaminwater-offers-100000-to-stay-off-smartphones-for-a-year.html

Calvin Klein to End Iconic Print Ads

After decades of publishing famous print ads in magazines and on Times Square billboards, Calvin Klein has announced they will move to a “digital-first” advertising model in 2019. The clothing brand plans to focus instead on social media platforms, micro-influencer partnerships and local activation experiences. This move follows in the footsteps of last year’s “#mycalvins” social media campaign featuring popular musicians.

Like many other brands, the company hopes to capture more of millennials’ and Gen Z’s attention with their shift to digital. Will Calvin Klein be able to replicate their print advertising success online? Read more here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/calvin-klein-adopts-digital-first-approach-leaving-print-ads-behind/544043/