Today is World Book Day and Copyright Day in the UK, and I have to admit – this one hits close to home. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with stories. I used to say, “One day I’ll be an author.” To have done it twice still feels surreal – and with my amazing friend Ekaterina Walter. I’m also still a voracious reader – I devour a book a week, and storytelling continues to shape everything I do.

This week’s newsletter is a celebration of that same love for stories – the bold, the bizarre, and the brilliantly executed. From a judge shaking up Google’s ad empire to JCPenney bringing the sass, and Duolingo reminding us that great copy still rules, we’ve got 10 sharp, scroll-stopping stories.

Plus: for those like yours truly that embrace the quirkier side of marketing, I’m gifting you stories on vibrators in cereal boxes (yes, really), sauce-opening grillz, bald heads that need sunscreen, and a piña colada creamer that took a poisoned turn. Let’s just say, the creativity’s off the charts this week.

Let’s dive in.

This Week’s Marketing Stories

A curated mix of breaking news, insights, and trends, each with actionable takeaways to inspire your brand storytelling.

1. Google Found Guilty of Ad Tech Monopoly

In a landmark antitrust ruling, a U.S. judge declared Google guilty of illegally monopolizing ad tech — specifically the tools used by publishers and the software that facilitates ad transactions. The fallout? We could see structural overhauls in how digital ads are bought and sold, a shake-up in revenue distribution between advertisers and publishers, and even a forced breakup of Google’s business, with assets like Chrome potentially on the chopping block.

Key Takeaway: This isn’t just about Google – it’s about the future of digital advertising. While I am personally a big fan of Google and its advertising solutions, a break-up could unlock new opportunities for ad innovation, search engine competition, and marketer diversification. Google is appealing the decision, so for now I would file this under watch and wait. Read more

2. Heinz Brazil Drops Grillz to Rip Sauce Like a Pro

Kraft Heinz (Heinz) just launched “grillz” in Brazil – not for the drip, but for the dip. Designed to open sauce packets with your teeth, this limited-edition accessory blends hip-hop culture with BBQ practicality, and it’s being seeded through TikTok creators rather than sold in stores.

Key Takeaway: This is how you remix relevance. Heinz shows that when you fuse culture, creativity, and a real pain point (those pesky packets!), you earn buzz without even going mass market. Read more

3. JCPenney’s “Huh!” Strategy Is Retail’s Biggest Plot Twist

JCPenney just launched a bold rebrand under the “Yes, JCPenney” banner, tapping anonymous ads, Kimmel stunts, and slow-mo fashion reveals to spark retail epiphanies. The new positioning rewrites its nostalgia-laced story with sass, self-awareness, and a fresh playbook. For those in public relations who read my newsletter, check out this press release announcing the campaign that doesn’t read like one.

Key Takeaway: This is a lesson in reclaiming your narrative. JCPenney leans into storytelling to shift perception and reintroduce value. If your brand has baggage, surprise and delight your audience into seeing you differently. Read more

4. Inside Duolingo’s Viral Writers’ Room

Turns out Duolingo‘s social genius isn’t just a twerking owl – it’s a writers’ room built for speed and smarts. With a team of whip-smart copywriters and creators, Duolingo is scaling cultural moments (like a Severance spoof and Lily Video Call) into scrappy, brand-building brilliance.

Key Takeaway: A killer brand voice isn’t accidental – it’s architected. As Zaria Parvez shares in her newsletter, Duolingo proves that investing in writers who get social pays off in virality, relevance, and actual product storytelling. Read more

5. KitKat Wants You to Take a Break… From Your Phone

VML Czechia VML turned KitKat’s iconic slogan into a cheeky OOH campaign featuring people replacing smartphones with candy bars in everyday moments. It’s timely, it’s relatable, and it’s backed by science: 91% of people feel better after ditching their phones.

Key Takeaway: Heritage brands can feel fresh when they speak to modern habits with humor and heart. KitKat proves that the best ideas don’t require reinvention – just clever reinvigoration. Read more and watch the reel here.

6. Jet-Puffed Swaps Eggs for Marshmallows This Easter

Jet-Puffed launched $2 marshmallow decorating kits as a sweet alternative to traditional egg dyeing – tapping into inflation concerns around the price of eggs in the United States, allergen sensitivities, and social-friendly fun. Jumbo mallows + edible pens = pastel perfection.

Key Takeaway: Budget-friendly, inclusive, and Instagrammable – that’s a trifecta. Jet-Puffed shows how small innovations rooted in real consumer needs can deliver seasonal magic (and buzz). Read more

7. Mami Wata Uses ‘Bald Faces’ to Promote Sunscreen With a Smile

This Brazilian skincare brand Mami Wata launched a sunscreen campaign starring the back of bald heads – cleverly dubbed “bald faces.” It’s equal parts PSA and punchline, spotlighting sun protection with empathy, creativity, and a wink.

Key Takeaway: Humor can be a powerful bridge to serious conversations. Mami Wata’s campaign nails the balance, proving that levity can boost recall and relevance in health messaging. Read more

8. OpenAI Might Be Building a Social Network (Yes, Really)

Rumors are swirling that OpenAI is prototyping a ChatGPT-powered social feed – a potential X competitor that would supercharge its AI training data and poke the bear (hi Elon, hi Zuck). Sam Altman’s been quietly soliciting feedback.

Key Takeaway: If this launches, the social landscape could be redefined by AI-native platforms. For marketers, the shift from human-generated content to AI-curated communities isn’t a future vision – it’s the next frontier. Read more

9. Lovehoney & Surreal Launch Vibrator-Infused Breakfast Cereal

Yes, you read that right. SURREAL and Lovehoney teamed up to hide vibrators in adult cereal boxes. It’s a cheeky, headline-grabbing PR stunt, and aimed at gym-goers with a taste for pleasure.

Key Takeaway: You don’t need to be subtle to be effective. This collab proves that bold brand pairings can break taboos and go viral — all before 9 a.m. But, just remember that cheeky collabs that push boundaries will not be for everyone. Who wants to bet that the local advertising standards boards will get complaints about this one? Read more

10. Coffee Mate’s White Lotus Collab Got… Poisonous

Coffee Mate teamed up with The White Lotus to launch a piña colada-flavored creamer — only to learn (with the rest of us) that the drink would play a starring role in a poisoning plot twist during the season finale. The brand’s response? A pitch-perfect “Well this is awkward” on Instagram — posted within hours.

Key Takeaway: In a reactive world, real-time storytelling isn’t just clever – it’s essential. Coffee Mate turned a surprise plot twist into a cultural win. As someone who’s negotiated many product placements in TV and film, I can tell you: most brands insist on a full creative scope under NDA to protect brand values. It is surprising to me that Coffee Mate didn’t know (or did they wink wink) but kudos for rolling the dice and owning the moment. Read more

My Stories

The Power of a Place Designed to Help You Recharge

In a world where we’re always on, it’s rare to find a place that genuinely helps you unwind (I mean, look at that pool!). I recently stayed at Sporthotel Sonne in the Dolomites, and it delivered something many of us don’t prioritize enough: space to reset and recharge. With hiking trails right outside you door, nourishing food, and a stunning natural backdrop, it’s the kind of environment that quietly fuels clarity, creativity, and perspective. In this video, I give a robust review of my hotel room and stay. If you’re looking for a summer holiday that pairs luxury, adventure and incredible food, this may be for you.

Unlock More of My Stories

🌍 Website: JessicaGioglio.com Your one-stop shop for all my books, speaking engagements, and blog posts on marketing and storytelling.

📚 Books:

• The Power of Visual Storytelling: Learn how to shape a visual story around your brand using images, videos, GIFs, infographics, and more. Get your copy here.
• The Laws of Brand Storytelling: The definitive guide to using storytelling to win over customers’ hearts, minds, and loyalty. Grab it here.

📱 Social Media:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X
• Instagram
• YouTube

Let’s connect and keep the conversation going!

Until Next Time

Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’re here for marketing trends, storytelling inspiration, or both, I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.

Keep telling the stories that matter, Jessica