POKÉMON CELEBRATES AN ANNIVERSARY AND CONQUERS THE GLOBE: THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL FRANCHISE TURNS 30

7. 4. 2026 The Pokémon franchise has entered its thirtieth year, and the anniversary celebrations are nothing short of grand. They include new products, collaborations with fashion brands, special themed stores, exhibitions, and limited-edition collectables. Some items sell out within seconds, confirming that interest in the brand remains exceptionally strong. Advertising is now often targeted at millennials—those who grew up with Pokémon in the 1990s and who today have the means to spend on collectables or premium editions of familiar products.

AGAINST ALL ODDS: LINEAR TV’S SURPRISING RESILIENCE

26. 3. 2026 For years, we’ve been told that linear television is declining. Streaming services would render traditional broadcasting obsolete, the story went, as viewers abandoned scheduled programming for the freedom of on demand content.

VALENTINE’S DAY SPENDING SURGES AS CONSUMERS REDEFINE HOW TO CELEBRATE IT

12. 2. 2026 Economic turbulence and global uncertainty haven't stopped Valentine's Day spending from reaching new heights as it takes on unique cultural significance.

WHAT GIVES A SUPER BOWL AD SHELF LIFE IN 2026

10. 2. 2026 For decades, the price tag to advertise during the Super Bowl has been justified by access to a centralized audience. As attention disperses across platforms and star power extends to creators, marketers are rethinking how Super Bowl investments translate into consumer recall.

IT WAS MEANT TO BE A SHOWCASE OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT NOSTALGIA STOLE THE SHOW: WHAT DOES SUPER BOWL LX REVEAL ABOUT THE STATE OF MARKETING?

8. 2. 2026 Super Bowl LX is behind us. The evening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara was once again more than just a sporting event—it turned into a media platform watched by over 124.9 million viewers in the U.S., peaking at 137.8 million during the second quarter, making it the second most-watched broadcast in American television history. This level of concentrated attention also underpins an astronomical advertising business. A 30-second slot cost around $8 million on average, with some premium placements exceeding $10 million, while total investment per commercial often ranged between $15 and $25 million. This year’s edition delivered the expected dominance of artificial intelligence and tech brands, but also a surprisingly strong return to emotion, nostalgia, and clearly defined values. What truly resonated in these ads—and what inspiration can be drawn from them—is illustrated in the following examples. Lay’s: Last Harvest One of this year’s most remarkable commercials felt, dramaturgically speaking, almost out of place at the Super Bowl. The chip brand Lay’s presented a short indie-style film about an aging farmer facing his final harvest. His daughter is taking over the farm, making it a story of generational transition. Even if it may not seem so at first glance, this was a very bold spot. Snack brands at the Super Bowl typically opt for humorous, celebrity-driven presentations. Here, however, we see an authentic story centred on emotion and a narrative of “real ingredients for real people.” Especially in a year dominated by highly hyped tech showcases, Lay’s offered a moment for genuine reflection and introspection. From the perspective of the evening’s overall structure, it was something of an anomaly—one that, nevertheless, received very positive reviews.

WHY SUPER BOWL ADS KEEP GETTING FUNNIER—AND LESS TOUCHING

26. 1. 2026 This year's Super Bowl ad lineup tilts decisively toward star power and humor over heartstring-pulling narratives, continuing a trend that has reshaped the game's advertising tone in recent years.

HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF SUPER BOWL ADS

25. 1. 2026 Read about creating messages that resonate with consumers well beyond the Big Game.

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?

MARKETING TO GEN ALPHA: HOW BRANDS CAN WIN OVER THE NEXT GENERATION

29. 7. 2025 The cohort represents a major opportunity for advertisers, keying them into future trends in areas like gaming, according to research from Horizon Media.

THE BIG BRAND BATTLES: NOSTALGIA, COMPARISON, AND PROVOCATION WORK WELL IN ADVERTISING WARS

24. 3. 2025 At first glance, it might seem that the global market is vast, with enough room for everyone. In a utopian world, each brand would peacefully claim its share of the market and leave the rest for others. Sounds funny, right? In reality, when two or three strong brands meet in a certain market segment, they go head-to-head. There is only one spot in the sun, and while there doesn’t have to be just one winner, anyone who hesitates may find with dread that they are not among the top players but at the bottom.

THE 2024 OLYMPICS IS A REMINDER THAT APPOINTMENT TV IS ALIVE AND WELL

9. 8. 2024 This summer, the world has been glued to their screens for the Olympics. Traditionally, these events have been synonymous with appointment TV, where viewers gather around the television to tune in at specific times.

ADAM ŠPÍNA: 2024 WILL BE THE BEST YEAR TO CHANGE THE BRAND SETTING

22. 2. 2024 How to build brands this year? Start with a customer needs analysis followed by a positioning assessment.

AVOIDING ‘BETTER YESTERDAYS’: THE TRAP OF NOSTALGIA

3. 11. 2023 Nostalgia is a comforting temptation for consumers and brands, explains Trajectory’s Tom Johnson, but there is greater opportunity to be found by looking ahead.

NOSTALGIA MARKETING: A POWERFUL SOURCE OF EMOTION

25. 9. 2023 Nostalgia is in right now — and perhaps this is partly a reaction to the ever-evolving technocentric landscape we live in. Familiarity can be comforting and a source of positive memories from the past; so, in many ways, it's unsurprising that brands are harnessing nostalgia to evoke joy and connection for beloved brands, aesthetics, experiences, and media.

THE BIGGEST STAR OF SUPER BOWL LVII COMMERCIALS? NOSTALGIA.

21. 2. 2023 Although a range of companies are advertising their wares during Super Bowl LVII, a common theme runs through many of the spots: nostalgia.