S T U D I O 1 2 : Check Out Taco Bell's Swag Shop

Check Out Taco Bell's Swag Shop

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First Things First

November 27, 2019

By Jameson Fleming

From Hot Sauce Pillows to Jumpsuits, Taco Bell's Holiday Shop Is Swag Heaven for Fans

Odds are someone in your close circle of friends or co-workers swears by Taco Bell. And if you need to get that certain someone a gift for the upcoming holidays, Taco Bell has you covered. The brand launched its swag shop with a wide variety of items like the $80 hot sauce-inspired jumpsuits and a "burrito wrap" blanket. While some brands like McDonald's, KFC and IHOP have launched product lines in the past, Taco Bell might have the most extensive set of gear yet.

If Gen Z Consumers Are So Digital, Why Do They Like Paying With Cash?

To the surprise of no one, Gen Z adapts quickly. Even as the most tech savvy generation out there, this group of consumers learned from millennials about the pains of crushing debt. That's why Gen Z, as its buying power grows with each passing day, prefers to pay in cold hard cash, when possible. A recent study found that nearly a third of all Gen Z'ers will make their holiday purchases in cash, more than any other form of payment.

Amazon Surpasses Walmart to Become the Top Black Friday TV Ad Spender

According to MediaRadar, there isn't much turnover among the top 10 spenders on Black Friday TV ads, with one notable exception. In 2018, Amazon ranked eighth among retailers for Black Friday ads, but in 2019, the ecommerce giant is expected to top the media spend rankings. In total, major retailers devoted over $400 million to TV advertising in the first two weeks of November 2019, a 5% hike compared to the same time period last year. Why? It may be because there are six fewer days in the holiday shopping season thanks to a late Thanksgiving.

It's 2019, and Nordstrom Is Still Betting on Brick and Mortar

As retailers continue to struggle (AC Moore is the latest to fall by the wayside), Nordstrom remains a brick-and-mortar bright spot. The upscale retailer has expanded its physical footprint in 2019, culminating with the opening of its flagship store in New York, which is expected to drive a whopping $700 million in sales in the market. How is the brand finding success? Nordstrom in NYC has a DryBar, a nail salon, a HeyDay for facials, multiple restaurants and more.

A Look Into Why Joe Biden's Campaign Is Investing in OTT This Election Cycle

If you're a cord-cutter using an ad-supported streaming service in a swing state and you hate political ads, golly do I have bad news for you. Candidates are looking at OTT as a channel worth investing in. Publishing editor Sara Jerde did a deep dive into Joe Biden's media buying strategy and found that he is hammering his message home on the streaming platforms.

Read more: Why Joe Biden is banking on OTT.

Best of the Rest: Today's Top News and Insights

Squarespace's Latest Ad Shines a Spotlight on an Unamused Oscar the Grouch

Sesame Street's Oscar the Grouch is perhaps best known for, well, living out of a garbage can and being the resident grump of the show's cast of characters.

But thanks to Squarespace, the muppet now has a new claim to fame: art sensation.

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Is Your Branded Storytelling Amongst the Best?

Adweek's Arc Awards honor the finest branded storytelling of the year. Find your category and enter today—prices increase on Dec. 16th.

What are you thankful for in your professional life?

Jon Stierwalt, senior brand director, Nemo Design

Working for an agency that's created a culture of strong work, good people and no egos. We specialize in outdoor and active lifestyle brands and only work for brands we believe in—no fabric softener, pharmaceuticals or garage doors. We (mostly) work during reasonably predictable hours, and with the mountain just up the road, we're able to duck out for company ski/snowboard outings with regular frequency. Nemo means "no one" in Latin and we've created and supported a culture where good ideas are accepted and encouraged from anyone in the shop, from a junior Producer to creative director, not just the guys with their last names on the door.

Jessica Santini, associate director, marketing and communications, Havas Media

I'm thankful to work for a company that invests in the advancement of women. In the past six months alone, our leadership has organized three impactful workshops for our female staff of all levels—creating a safe and productive space to discuss challenges and opportunities that are unique to women in advertising and media.

Gideon Stein, CEO, Write Label

I am thankful to be in a world where creativity is currency and the exchange rate is inspiration. I appreciate that new technology is giving our industry the ability to tap into the power of the masses and harness great creative and ideas in new and exciting ways. Also, I am thankful for metaphors.