Retro rings

A big dill

Wisdom 💡:  Cheetos turned its viral Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle comeback into a full-blown cultural remix, pairing Nickelback with Megan Thee Stallion for a chaotic, heist-style music video. The campaign leans into “newstalgia,” blending early-2000s rock with modern hype to hook multiple generations at once. It’s not just a snack launch, it’s a play for attention in an era where brands need more than a scroll-stopping moment, they need staying power. The brand proves that with marketing this zesty, you don’t just bring a product back, you make it impossible to ignore.

Retro rings

Wit 😁: SVEDKA is dialing it way back with the SVEDPHONE, a $5 flip phone that only calls and texts (pink Motorola Razr vibes, anyone?), and comes with a side of vodka. Leaning into the “dumb phone” revival, the brand swaps doomscrolling for actual socializing, positioning less tech as the ultimate flex. It’s a cheeky but savvy move aimed at Gen Z, who want connection, nostalgia and maybe fewer notifications with their night out. In a world addicted to screens, SVEDKA’s suggesting the real buzz might not be 21+. 

Game on, brands

Wisdom 💡: Procter & Gamble is doubling down on the WNBA, expanding its partnership to bring a full roster of brands courtside as women’s sports surge in popularity. From skincare to menstrual care, the move smartly aligns everyday products with elite performance and a highly engaged fanbase. As viewership rises and ad dollars follow, the WNBA is becoming prime real estate for brands looking to make meaningful connections. The bigger insight: investing early in growing platforms isn’t just good optics, it’s good business.

Pepper Pick

Effective leaders don’t avoid tough feedback, they build cultures that actively encourage honest dialogue, vulnerability, and constructive disagreement before conflict escalates. Want to learn how this plays out in real life? Tune into the latest episode of When We Disagree, featuring Peppercomm founder, Steve Cody, for a candid look at leadership, failure, and rebuilding stronger.