Staying updated on the biggest marketing and advertising stories doesn’t have to be hard. We’re here to help. Check out our Weekly Must Reads for the news you need to know this week.

Ad-Free All-Star Game

As basketball fans tuned into the NBA All-Star Game on TNT Sunday night, they were treated a full commercial-free quarter. To honor former NBA star Kobe Bryant, who passed away on Jan. 26, the game format was altered to create a fourth quarter with no game clock. Of course, this meant no advertising spots for brands after the third quarter. To make up for lost time, TNT-owned WarnerMedia added more ads to breaks during the first three quarters.

When All-Star Weekend commercial spots went up for sale earlier this year, they sold out faster than ever despite prices that were significantly higher than usual. Turner Sports Ad Sales exec Jon Diament said the All-Star Game gives advertisers an opportunity to reach a young, urban and highly engaged audience. Read more about changes to the All-Star game here:  https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/tnt-will-air-nba-all-star-games-fourth-quarter-ad-free-in-new-format-honoring-kobe-bryant/

Bloomberg’s Unconventional Campaign

As we gear up for the 2020 election, we’re starting to see candidates’ ad campaigns in full force. We’re used to seeing TV commercials, listening to radio ads and even seeing organic social posts. Now, Democratic candidate Michael Bloomberg is making waves with his social campaign by partnering with Instagram influencers to create memes related to his candidacy. Bloomberg has worked with some of the most popular accounts on the social media site, including ones run by Jerry Media, the agency known for marketing the infamous Fyre Festival and resulting documentaries.

The posts are meant to be satirical, and some are very self-deprecating, teasing Bloomberg for trying to meme himself. It’s all very meta and blurs the line between traditional paid political ads and organic content. Is Bloomberg trying too hard to be one of the cool kids, or could paid memes actually influence younger audiences? Get the full story here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sergeiklebnikov/2020/02/14/bloomberg-spent-more-than-1-million-on-that-barrage-of-instagram-memes/#5bd0a987629b

Houston vs. Buffalo Wild Wings

Over the weekend, chicken wing chain Buffalo Wild Wings faced both criticism and compliments for a controversial tweet about the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. The restaurant’s Twitter account retweeted a story about British soccer club Manchester City being banned from their league over financial misconduct. Buffalo Wild Wings commented, “THAT’S how you punish a team that cheats.” Though the post didn’t mention the Astros by name, Houston Astros fans quickly responded with outrage. Some were so insulted they said they would stop visiting the brand’s stores, and the hashtag #boycottBWW started trending.

On the other hand, fans of other baseball teams across the country commended Buffalo Wild Wings for calling out the Astros and their not-so-severe punishment. Still, the restaurant posted an apology the next day, applauding Houston for defending their team. Do you think the controversy will affect Buffalo Wild Wings long-term? Find out more here: https://www.breitbart.com/sports/2020/02/16/astros-fans-furious-buffalo-wild-wings-cheating-tweet/

Heineken Switches Up Stereotypes

In many ways, our society has come a long way in taking down outdated gender stereotypes. But Heineken’s new ad shows beer-drinking women still face issues at bars across the world. In their latest commercial, women and men are repeatedly served the wrong drinks as busy bartenders incorrectly assume the man ordered the Heineken instead of the colorful cocktail. Heineken Communications Director Maud Meijboom said the ad “was inspired by real experiences that everyone can relate to.”

With this ad, Heineken is clearly trying to widen their customer base by targeting women. It works, but it also feels just as much like an ad encouraging men to try more cocktails. Watch the full ad here: https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/pick-week-heinekens-witty-ad-full-spirit-generosity/1673848