A mixed bag for category and platform advertising last year, but some clear winners are reflected in the advertising spend

Abstract marketing taps into the audience’s curiosity and creativity, making it a powerful tool for building memorable, distinctive brand narratives in the digital age

A softening ad spend market in China reveals some changes in priorities across online platforms and shifts in spending from major categories

Social media feeds increasing filled with “rough life” posts, alongside the popularity of more authentic retail spaces are just two examples of how Chinese consumers are seeking more real, less polished marketing

China's media market is more complex and fragmented than ever. It is also unique. Digital accounts for a much larger share of spend compared to western markets, and Douyin is increasingly taking a larger share of that. But not every brand is maximising its Douyin investment

China's cross-media ad spend is unlike other markets, as new data reveals. Comparing China to the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ highlights stark differences

Have you watched the hit TV series The Tale of Rose that premiered this June? High-quality TV series like these offer a fantastic opportunity for brands to achieve their marketing goals in China. Check it out to see how they help brands make an impact.

At Euro Cup 2024, Chinese brands accounted for five of the 13 top-tier brands, more than any other country. The success of BYD’s sponsorship has been slightly dampened by an adult toy site in the host country of Germany

For about ¥200 ($27.50) a day, you can place your personal ad in some of China's metro stations. Chinese consumers are having a lot of fun with this platform job hunting, celebrating birthdays, proposing to loved ones, and even promoting influencer images…

Brands are exploring new advertising media. From airport luggage conveyor belts, bed sheets hanging on balconies to sewn-in labels, you might be surprised by their creativity.

Chinese household cleaning brand Blue Moon illustrates that even local brands can be very out of touch with the target audience, providing a case study of how not to market and do PR in China

Mother’s Day ads showed how socially attuned brands are to mums, with some great campaigns but also some woefully inappropriate

These CNY marketing campaigns showcase the effectiveness of integrating traditional culture with modern aesthetics

There's nothing quite like staying indoors for a couple of weeks to hone in on your gaming addiction. The coronavirus outbreak and resulting time people are spending inside their homes has seen a sharp increase in Chinese playing games. At the peak of the outbreak, Chinese were spending 6.11 billion hours a day online - over seven hours for each of China's 840 million online consumers.

Spending on TV advertisements in China is declining as an overall share of advertising. By the end of 2019, Alibaba’s ad revenue is forecast to be 63% greater than total ad spending on TV. Nevertheless, TV advertising has its place in China and brands are getting smarter about using it to reach Chinese consumers with tactics such as product placements … even those that have humorous, but blatant promotion. The infographic below highlights some of the most effective strategies brands are using TV advertisements in China nowadays.

Fancy a tonic favoured by Chinese emperors that cures painful joints, frail kidneys, and weakness and anemia in women? Or how about a milk beverage that will enlarge your breasts from an A-cup to a D? Perhaps a coconut drink that whitens your skin and will make you more buxom?

A quick quiz to start this week's Skinny: What is the most valuable marketing company in the world? Most people probably couldn't care less, but there are a few folk in the industry who would say WPP. Whilst the company hasn't had a great year, it remains the largest marketing company in the world measured by billings and revenue.

In April 2016, pundits were predicting the demise of China’s cross border ecommerce channel after hefty new taxes were suddenly introduced on all online cross border trade. Fortunately, some slick lobbying from Alibaba and JD saw the new tax rates ‘postponed’ the following month and good old cross border was soon back on track.