Rian Worm

A swift leadership reversal in the wake of an acquisition. Mark Fitzloff, founder of Portland-based creative agency Opinionated, has been fired by Tombras just over a month after the deal that brought the agency under its umbrella. The acquisition, announced in January 2026, initially positioned Fitzloff to continue leading the 40-person shop as founder and executive creative director. Opinionated had built a strong creative reputation under Fitzloff, with work spanning Adidas, Panda Express, Hinge, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Drumstick. The development now raises broader questions about post-acquisition integration, cultural alignment and leadership continuity within holding company expansion strategies. More here: https://bit.ly/40tqJJX

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Even though Chamberlain Coffee benefits from Emma Chamberlain’s massive platform, its growth is built on much more than visibility. By consistently launching strategic collaborations - spanning Pinterest, Bodum, Dove, 818 Spirits, and more - the brand reaches new target groups, creates multi-sensory experiences, and extends its cultural relevance beyond coffee. It’s a powerful example of how creator brands can scale through smart partnerships and brand-building strategy. #CreatorEconomy #BrandStrategy #MarketingInsights

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Everyone is talking about AI and automation in marketing right now. But the real question is how brands stay human while everything around us becomes more artificial. Excited to dig into this at Shoptalk with Pinterest and an incredible group of leaders. We will be talking about visual discovery, incremental growth, and what is actually working for brands right now. See you in Vegas, PJ Andersen!

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the world's biggest adult costume party is also the worlds most underrated opportunity for brands to form deep connections and drive affinity we just released our San Diego Comic-Con Brand Activation Report for 2025 pro tip for brands, don't do advertising (except maybe if it's a cool OOH), instead you should partner with cooler folks, find existing IP that fits, dive into the lore and characters -- show up as a fan, not with ads. Make custom merch, give out samples, find a way for your product to participate in, not interrupt the story. comment 'fan lore' to see the Google Slides

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In a shifting business landscape, it’s not enough to have a good product. A resilient brand, one with a clear point of view and deep emotional connection, can carry you through economic shifts, cultural changes and even product pivots. Brand strategist and "Build Your Brand Universe" author Robyn Young joined our business webinar series to share how service and productbusinesses can grow with purpose and adapt with intention. Here’s what the article covers: • A framework to express your brand values consistently What makes a brand resilient in moments of change • What to expect (and embrace) during a rebrand • How to build emotion through a universal theme As Robyn reminded us: “You will gain traction by being willing to sacrifice certain audiences. That’s a benefit of having a point of view.” Read the full guide to build brand resilience: https://lnkd.in/eaYRN9Bc

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