ADWEEK

Thanksgiving has become a competitive showcase for major retailers offering value-priced meal kits. Target feeds four for under $20, Amazon serves five for $25, and ALDI USA provides a 10-person feast with 21 ingredients for $40 ($4 per person—"less than a pumpkin spice latte," as the company noted). Walmart matches this at $39.93 for 10 guests ($3.99 per head), but distinguishes itself by featuring over half its meal items under its Great Value private label, signaling a strategy to convert shoppers away from national brands while competing on price.

If you're going to make a career pivot, do so with determination. As Bozoma Saint John said, the answer is never backward.

Did you know Pringles aren't potato chips? In fact, they got a new name after a lengthy legal battle that began 50 years ago this month. ADWEEK's Robert Klara dives into the history of how Pringles became what they're known as today.

Publishers with affiliate operations are entering the holiday shopping cycle with a blunt new reality: Organic search is no longer the reliable engine it once was. Across interviews with revenue leads at six major media companies, a new playbook is emerging—one built on direct audiences, rigorous price scrutiny, and a monthlong deal cycle. Here are the key shifts shaping the season. https://bit.ly/43XkNLD

A trend is growing where shoppers are using AI tools to start their holiday purchases. Rather than using Google, they are turning to platforms like ChatGPT or Perplexity as the first stop for gift research, product comparisons, and deal hunting before a retailer site is visited. Data from Perplexity, shared with ADWEEK, shows multi-category retailers—brands where shoppers can buy multiple items in one place—lead in engagement, outperforming retailers with a singular focus, such as clothing-only stores. The company says this aligns with how consumers approach holiday shopping, often beginning with broad queries, like searching for gifts for a particular family member or staying within a set budget.

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the creativity and leadership that shaped this year’s Brandweek. Among the many standout moments was celebrating Kat Cole, CEO of AG1, as the recipient of the Brand Genius Impact Award, presented by Shutterstock. This award was a first-of-its-kind, purposeful recognition of a leader that reflects what drives Shutterstock every day: impact. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re inspired by the lessons shared on stage and the energy that continues to define our industry. Here’s to the leaders who make a difference, another year of creativity with purpose, and ideas that make an impact. CTA (either at end of copy or first comment): Want a closer look at the insights behind this year’s creative momentum? Read our article on Shutterstock’s 2025 Creative Impact Report -> https://bit.ly/4o5nId5

What are the adults really saying in the Peanuts programming? Melissa Menta, SVP of Global Brand and Communications at Peanuts Worldwide LLC, gives her thoughts. 👀

Get ready to see some familiar faces at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions gather to watch the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where Labubu's parent company POP MART makes its debut alongside brands like Netflix, Lindt & Sprüngli, and Goldfish. With over 3.5 million spectators in NYC and 50 million viewers at home, the parade offers brands a rare opportunity for meaningful cultural participation. Here are this year's most notable new entrants to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. 👇 https://bit.ly/3XRWBXm

Omnicom has officially closed its acquisition of Interpublic Group (IPG). During ADWEEK House at Cannes this summer, Michael Kassan, Founder and CEO of 3C Ventures, gave a brief history of how holding companies started. It was all about conflict avoidance, but it's less important these days. Still, as we see today, holding companies exist and not only that—they sometimes join forces with one another. In Omnicom and IPG's case, the consolidation creates the largest advertising group in the world.