STADIUMS AS SUMMER ADVERTISING LABS. THE IMPACT OF MEGA SPORTS EVENTS ON BRAND MARKETING

29. 8. 2025 The biggest summer sporting events are not just competitions for trophies. There are also moments when advertising becomes a pop culture event. Wimbledon, the Tour de France, the US Open, the EURO and Formula 1 are not only the highlights of the sporting season but also comprehensive advertising laboratories. Each of these events offers a completely different media space – from the aristocratic minimalism of Wimbledon to the pop culture spectacle of the US Open to the technology-oriented branding of Formula 1. The common denominator is the effort of brands to achieve deeper audience engagement through new formats, digitalisation and personalised experiences. It is no longer just about reaching an audience – the goal is to create a cultural moment that resonates across channels, generations and markets. The Tour de France and the power of film aesthetics For many years, the Tour de France has rightly maintained its reputation as the largest and most-watched cycling race in the world. This Grand Tour, which takes place every July, is not only a sporting event but also a global advertising platform where many brands test the effectiveness of innovative formats. Live broadcasts of the Tour are provided by more than a hundred television stations in over 190 countries around the world, with a cumulative audience of over 3.5 billion viewers. The individual stages are filmed from the air, from motorcycles and from stationary cameras, making the Tour an ideal space for advertising and product placement. The race thus boasts a distinctive cinematic aesthetic.

THE FUTURE OF STREAMING IS DIFFERENT AD LOADS FOR EACH VIEWER

28. 8. 2025 As streamers experiment with ad load optimization, their only constraint is the consumer experience.

CREATIVITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR CIVILISATION. CREATIVITY IS LIFE, SAYS SIR JOHN HEGARTY

26. 8. 2025 Creativity is not the domain of artists—it is the holy grail for people working in various fields. It is an act of self-expression and therefore a vital competency for anyone who wants to grow and innovate, and who seeks new ways to create value and move themselves and their community forward. As such, it is a subject of interest across different industries. The global state of creativity in 2025 is addressed in the report The Business of Creativity, which includes insights from Sir John Hegarty, who has made immense contributions to shaping modern advertising.

EFFIE REGISTERS 118 APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR, A FIFTH MORE THAN LAST YEAR

26. 8. 2025 The largest domestic advertising effectiveness competition Effie will evaluate 118 applications this year. This is a record number.

ADS ARE LOUD, FLASHY, AND IN-YOUR-FACE. EXCEPT THESE ONES

25. 8. 2025 Brands like Whisker, Calm, and Angel Soft are using ad breaks to offer moments of relief from overstimulation.

NOSTALGIA LEVEL: MAX. HOW DO RETRO ADS WIN CUSTOMERS’ HEARTS?

25. 8. 2025 Memories of the good old days are both enjoyable and highly impactful – something brands eagerly leverage in their marketing. Nostalgia is one of the major marketing trends of 2025 and can connect consumers with the past, evoke positive emotions and create a deeper relationship with the brand. Advertisements referring to the popular culture of past decades, retro visuals or iconic slogans act as a kind of time machine, transporting viewers back to moments stored deep in their memory. Some brands, such as Coca-Cola, Nintendo and Volkswagen, have long relied on nostalgia and made it a key part of their identity. In times of rapid technological progress and uncertainty, retro marketing offers a safe haven – and an effective way to reach different generations. How do companies draw inspiration from the past, and why does this approach work so well?

STUDY USA: NEARLY HALF OF AD-SUPPORTED TV VIEWING IS STREAMING

22. 8. 2025 Streaming accounts for almost half (45.3%) of total US time spent with ad-supported TV, according to a July report from Nielsen.

REPORT: THE ONLY THING BIGGER THAN NFL TV ADS ARE NFL STREAMING ADS

22. 8. 2025 New data from EDO finds that ads during football games on Peacock, Netflix, and Amazon last year were more effective than in-game linear.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGNS ARE HERE, BRANDS TARGET PARENTS AND STUDENTS

22. 8. 2025 As the start of the school year approaches, major brand marketing campaigns aimed at students and parents have kicked off.

THE FUTURE HAS ALREADY BEGUN. AR AND VR ARE TRANSFORMING TV ADVERTISING INTO AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE

21. 8. 2025 Smart TVs, augmented reality and the advent of new devices such as Apple Vision Pro are fundamentally changing the way brands communicate with customers. Television and outdoor advertising are no longer just one-way communications – they are becoming interactive, personalised experiences. Companies are investing in AR and VR campaigns for higher engagement, better conversions and lower costs. And even though these formats still face technical limitations, their role in the marketing mix is increasingly compelling.

GRUNT: NOVA TO RAISE AD PRICES ONLY SLIGHTLY— ONEPLAY TO CATCH UP WITH TV BY 2030

18. 8. 2025 TV Nova’s CEO, Daniel Grunt, confirms that Nova will increase TV advertising prices next year. However, the increase will not be as significant as last year. At the same time, he estimates that streaming revenues could match those from TV advertising around 2030.

WHAT’S DRIVING BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES: EARLY DEALS, AI TOOLS, AND HYBRID SHOPPING

15. 8. 2025 Back-to-school spending is steady in 2025, but shopper behavior is split. Parents are prioritizing tech and clothing—yet these are also the first to be cut when budgets tighten. Consumers are shopping earlier, seeking deals, and using AI to keep costs down.

NEARLY 90% OF ADVERTISERS WILL USE GEN AI TO BUILD VIDEO ADS, ACCORDING TO IAB

14. 8. 2025 Video’s transition to the future is accelerating, with half of advertisers already using Gen AI to build video ads, according to IAB’s “2025 Digital Video Ad Spend & Strategy Full Report.”

FALSE PREJUDICES AGAINST TELEVISION. TV REMAINS ESSENTIAL FOR VIEWERS AND ADVERTISERS

13. 8. 2025 “Television is for older people,” “They only show ads on TV,” “I never watch it,” etc. There are many prejudices against television. But is there any truth to them? The answer to this question was provided by a new study from Screenforce titled “The Beauty of TV.” The results, presented during an exclusive webinar, show that while prejudices against television certainly exist, the reality is quite different.

STUDY USA: CONSUMERS SEE ‘STRONG VALUE’ IN STREAMING BUT ARE ‘VERY CONCERNED’ ABOUT ECONOMY

12. 8. 2025 The newest Hub survey highlights the impact that economic uncertainty could have on the streaming industry.

SUMMER-FLAVOURED TV ADS: THE MOST ROMANTIC HOLIDAYS, THE WILDEST FUN. TRAVEL AGENCIES AND AIRLINES COMPETE FOR CUSTOMERS WITH TV AD SPOTS

8. 8. 2025 At the end of spring, when memories of winter holidays in the mountains have melted away like snowflakes in the sun, the days after months of hard work seem to blend into one another, and our energy is dwindling alarmingly, the idea of a holiday becomes a light at the end of the tunnel. Summer is much more than just a season – it is a state of mind when we crave more intense experiences, want to try new things, and long to travel and discover. At first glance, it might seem that travel agencies, airlines and tourist organisations have us – potential customers, craving tropical destinations and unusual experiences – in the palm of their hand. But it's not that simple. Standing out from the crowd of competitors is often a challenge even for marketing masters.

HUMOR AND MUSIC ARE THE WAY TO GET GEN Z’S ATTENTION

8. 8. 2025 Almost half (49%) of US Gen Zers are much more likely to pay attention to ads that make them laugh or use music they like, per a June report from Edison Research and SiriusXM Media.

ALMOST AN ANIMAL INSTINCT. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN ANIMALS SEEM BETTER OFF THAN HUMANS IN A TV AD?

8. 8. 2025 Singing cats, touching dog stories, or cute little monsters hiding under the couch — pets are simply a staple of television advertising. Adverts featuring them can build strong narratives, evoke emotions, and subtly foster a connection to the brand. In an era when marketing often relies solely on data and performance, they remind us of the power of authenticity, emotion, and imaginative storytelling. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most successful TV ads that prove the connection between brands and the animal world can be both charming to watch and surprisingly effective.