Mental Health Tips for Marketers

We surveyed more than 75 marketers and agency leaders on what they’re doing to support their employees’ mental well-being. Agencies and brands such as DiGennaro Communications, Futurebrand and Publicis Groupe shared that they've extended free memberships for their employees to teletherapy and meditation apps.

For parents struggling to balance their time during the lockdown, agency Levelwing arranged check-ins to help employees with kids manage their workloads, while Michigan-based agency Doner created a yoga and nutrition program for staffers' children.

Read more: Others have taken a more out-of-the-box approach, like agency Chemistry, which is footing the bill for Yale University’s online course The Science of Wellbeing, which teaches methods to achieve happiness.

In an internal memo sent to holding company employees, IPG's CEO Michael Roth said the holding company will ease back into office life, taking a different tone than Omnicom CEO John Wren did in a similar note. Calling the process "a marathon, not a sprint," Roth discussed staggering teams and continuing remote work for some employees.

Read more: Roth said IPG can learn from how other industries handle the return to the physical workplace before making that leap.

The federal Paycheck Protection Program was meant to distribute $349 billion worth of aid to small businesses through the federal Small Business Administration. Owing to a single paragraph in the 900-page package, scores of large companies were able to obtain federal assistance as well.

A notable few were prominent brands including Potbelly, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse chain, the Los Angeles Lakers and Shake Shack, the last of which returned the $10 million it received. Will these big brands that accepted small-business aid money suffer any damage—reputational or financial—as a result?

Read more: We talked with experts, some of whom believe backlash is unavoidable, while others think these brands might dodge it because the pandemic could keep Americans at home long enough for their anger to wane.

In-store food sampling, one of the most effective marketing tactics for CPG brands, is on pause, and as a result, some of them are finding creative ways to continue getting their products into the hands of consumers. For example, Ian Wishingrad, co-founder of the cereal startup Three Wishes, set up a drive-thru sampling experience in his driveway, attracting media attention in the process.

Read more: Other brands like Pipcorn have turned to digital options and freebies for consumers who have never purchased their products before.

More Updates from the Retail World

Today's TV and Streaming Highlights

More of Today's Top News and Highlights

In a new spot for Aviation Gin, Ryan Reynolds wants you to bring back that spirit of reckless revelry by ordering bottles online, with 30% of proceeds being donated to the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild to support the bartenders who “really, really miss you.”

In next week's episode of Adweek Presents: The Way Forward, Wellness and CPG, WW chief executive officer Mindy Grossman and PepsiCo’s chief marketing officer Greg Lyons join Adweek's Lisa Granatstein live. Adweek Pro Members — register and tune in on May 13 at 3 p.m. ET. Not an Adweek Pro member? Subscribe for as low as $1 a week for the first 6 weeks of access.

It highlights what celebrities like Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys and more are listening to.

While nations remain shuttered, shoots are still possible in some form.

It’s an opportunity for brands to step up and help those in need.

'We are not creating something new—we are just putting two things together.'

Remaining active is key to getting through quarantine.

Xaxis CEO Nicolas Bidon on a post-pandemic ad-tech world.