Before there was BeReal, there was #AerieREAL.

Since 2014, the retailer has made unfiltered beauty its marketing mantra, beginning with a commitment to not airbrush models. In the last nine-plus years, Aerie has worked with a diverse set of brand ambassadors to promote body positivity as part of its #AerieREAL campaign, including gymnast Aly Raisman, actress Hari Nef, the Rollette dance team, and influencer Remi Bader.

“We’ve been really inspired by our customer, which is where the genesis of the Real campaign began,” Stacey McCormick, director of merchandise strategies at American Eagle Outfitters, told us.

Influencer marketing and UGC have been “in the DNA of the brand” since its inception, McCormick said. She said that paid social and influencer marketing continue to make up the biggest portions of the brand’s marketing spend, though she didn’t share figures.

But in a modern social media landscape of “Bold Glamour” TikTok filters and “Instagram Face,” how does the brand ensure its creators—and brand image—continue to convey authenticity?

Continue reading here.—KH

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There’s something new in the air for OOH advertisers.

Drone aerial advertising company Sustainable Skylines received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval in Miami, meaning marketers may soon have a new way to fly their ads above beaches there.

The company hopes to initially roll out aerial ad banners above Miami Beach in October or November. This marks the first time a drone banner-towing operation has gotten FAA approval for commercial purposes in the US.

Its tech could potentially disrupt the aerial advertising industry, which has historically relied on piloted aircraft. Aerial advertising, which is particularly popular in the summer, has been used by brands ranging from Dunkin’ to J.Crew.

Sustainable Skylines noted that drones—which take off and land vertically—don’t require a runway or airport, in contrast with traditional crewed aircraft, and use less fuel.

Once its drones are in the air, Sustainable Skylines will use camera footage from the devices and third-party mobile data to measure ad campaigns, according to Jacob Stonecipher, the company’s founder and CEO.

Eventually, Stonecipher hopes to use predictive analytics to offer dynamic pricing, meaning it would charge more on days when more people are likely to see the aerial ads. “We can actually charge in a similar way to the way the Facebooks and the Google Ads of the world are charging, with real data to back up their pricing,” he said.

Keep reading here.—JS

Super Bowl 58 is shaping up to be a winner for CBS Sports.

The network, which will air the game on Feb. 11, has sold 90% of its ad inventory for the game, well ahead of where CBS Sports was when it last aired the game in 2021, John Bogusz, EVP of CBS sports sales at Paramount Advertising, said during a call with reporters Tuesday. Beyond that, the network is 85% sold out of inventory across CBS Sports’ regular season games, which kick off Sunday, Sept. 10.

In the case of the Super Bowl, Bogusz said, the ads have been sold at a premium, and the broadcaster is looking to keep price points high as it sells the rest of the ads. For the last Super Bowl, Fox Sports sold some spots for more than $7 million.

“We’re anxious to sell the remaining 15% and the last 10% of our inventory,” Bogusz said Tuesday. “But it’s going to come at a price.”

Keep reading here.—KS

There are a lot of bad marketing tips out there. These aren’t those.

Gen Z: A junior creative at Ogilvy UK explained why “Gen Z stereotypes aren’t working.”

Draw the line: Why burnout is rising among social media managers and what brands can do to address it.

Beach bum: Digiday editors broke down this summer’s biggest trends.

On point: Sharpen up your communication skills as you prepare to give performance reviews, ask for a raise, and more with our Difficult Conversations at Work course, now available on demand. Enroll now.

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Stat: More than 95%. That’s how much of Campari Group’s marketing budget goes toward digital and experiential marketing. The company, which owns liquor brands like Aperol and Wild Turkey, barely has “any classical media anymore,” its CEO said during a recent earnings call, according to Ad Age.

Quote: “It shows the cynicism of late capitalism and the era we are in.”—Wendy A. Woloson, history professor at Rutgers University-Camden, speaking to the New York Times about the marketing of Trump’s mug shot

Read: “AI fuels new brand-safety worries, and would-be solutions, for marketers” (The Wall Street Journal)

By participating in The Anthem Awards, you put your team in a position to stand alongside inspiring advocates, movement leaders, and impact-driven companies. The Anthem Awards have honored a vast range of incredible individuals, teams, and companies, including REI, The Daily Show, R/GA, Sesame Workshop, Havas, Bombas, Mischief @ No Fixed Address, Dove, Barbie, and Chobani.

Don’t miss your last chance to enter by the final deadline on Friday, Sept. 15.