ADWEEK Daily marketing news newsletter

View in Browser Good morning, Today we have a real eclectic mix of news for everyone. First up, our deputy editor, Bill Bradley, looks at the backlash against the new warm-up kits worn by the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, which heavily promote a team sponsor. Is it too much? Designed to sell new merch? Or is it simply an ad? Elsewhere, in some big agency news, Stagwell has just inked a big multi-agency deal with ServiceNow. Stagwell CEO Mark Penn has described it as "win-win." It's just the latest in a series of partnerships Stagwell has recently formed with tech platforms, following ones with Adobe and Palantir. Elsewhere, Trishla Ostwal reports from the ground at the Semrush Spotlight event on the latest developments with OpenAI and the GEO strategies that are working for marketers. We also have a look at how TV journalists have struck out on their own with independent publications. Plus, brands are back to making weird stuff. Chipotle and Pringles have new campaigns that include comically large bags and … urns. Before you dive into the headlines, register for ADWEEK’s webinar on Oct. 27 at 1 PM ET, Know Which Audiences and Channels Deserve Investment, to learn how experts from Forrester and Epsilon are helping marketers turn customer data and media insights into smarter calls on where to spend next. Now, let’s dig in. Lauren Johnson, deputy editor, commerce Must Reads 1. The Chicago Bulls Logo Controversy Is Not What It Appears to Be The Chicago Bulls’ new warm-up jackets, which heavily promote sponsor Plus500, have received backlash on social media. But the branded gear is part of a larger sponsorship that started in 2022, reports Bill Bradley. The apparel is also part of a new collection sold by Nike, featuring logos of varying sizes. Read more 2. Stagwell Wins ServiceNow in the Largest Multi-Agency Deal in Its History Stagwell and enterprise AI platform ServiceNow have inked a three-year partnership to collaborate on go-to-market initiatives that “build, activate, and measure marketing campaigns,” according to a release. Christopher Cicchello writes that as part of the deal, Stagwell will adopt ServiceNow’s AI platform across its organization, while a group of Stagwell agencies, including Code and Theory, 72andSunny, Allison Worldwide, and Movers+Shakers, will serve as its lead agency partners. Read more 3. To Sell ChatGPT to Businesses, OpenAI Is Going Back to Field Marketing OpenAI’s ChatGPT is inherently online, but its biggest marketing channel for winning enterprise accounts is field marketing, reports Trishla Ostwal. Part of that comes from in-person events that explain how companies can deploy OpenAI’s products across thousands of employees. OpenAI is also building local teams in the markets it sells to, including people who understand local languages, cultures, and trade organizations. Read more 4. Flo and Motorway’s Playbook for Getting Cited by AI Also at the Semrush Spotlight event, Motorway and the period-tracking app Flo Health discussed their strategies for navigating LLMs. Microsoft Advertising’s Helena Dillon urged marketers to publish full product catalogs and pricing, use structured data, and earn third-party reviews AI can trust. Read more 5. Former TV Journalists Find Success Going the Independent Route There’s no shortage of journalists launching their own publications. TV veterans in particular are making the switch to new pursuits, writes Mark Mwachiro. Mark spoke with former ABC News correspondent Terry Moran, ex-ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton, and anchor Vinita Nair about their success. In addition to learning the production and tech side, TV journalists also have more say over what topics they cover as independents. Read more The Round Up Chipotle’s giant takeout bags promote group dining, (ADWEEK). Pringles makes a branded urn, (ADWEEK). Anthropic to disclose third-quarter financials, (CNBC). How sports sponsorships are changing for the NWSL, (ADWEE