Surprise, It's the Old Spice Guy

Ever wonder what everyone's doing in their socially distanced spare time? Before the coronavirus pandemic, April 20, 2019 (ya know, the unofficial holiday of cannabis), was the high-water mark for legal cannabis sales. Those records have been shattered as industry sources report double- and triple-digit increases in sales from Maryland to Illinois to the Pacific Northwest in the wake of shelter-at-home rules.

Read more: Dispensaries and cannabis brands have been pivoting quickly to delivery, curbside pickup and online ordering to comply with social distancing mandates.

With everyone stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, out-of-home advertising, such as signs on top of taxi cabs, subway advertisements, billboards and bus shelters, are no longer attracting the consumer attention they usually do. So what can advertisers that usually rely on OOH do? It turns out that as certain locations see a major drop-off in foot traffic, others like grocery stores, gas stations and and pharmacies have seen an uptick.

Read more: These shifting strategies require constant evaluation of the situation as it changes, and that's why programmatic may be the key to success for OOH advertisers.

While the Ad Council is no stranger to crisis—it was founded during World War II, after all—the coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges. Since March 13,the nonprofit has produced four unique campaigns working with dozens of partners across the media and industry as well as government agencies, the White House, and digital and out-of-home partners.

Read more: Here's how the organization developed the PSAs in record time and garnered more than $4 million in donated media support in a single weekend.

Have you been following #AdweekTogether? On our daily live show that’s broadcast on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and our website, we talk about the challenges the advertising and marketing world are facing today—and how we can overcome them, together. Watch the latest episode here.

Future Media Group, Vice, BuzzFeed, Gannett and American Media Group have cut the salaries of their staff as a way, they say, to avoid more layoffs. Other publishers are likely to offer something similar. The hope is that these measures will preserve staff morale and keep the businesses running so when people can physically gather again, and marketing budgets are restored, publishers’ businesses will be able to handle the demand.

Read more: Some companies are banking on the pandemic as being a "short-term shock" to businesses. But not all publishers have avoided layoffs.

In this brave new world, the two remaining Democratic candidates—former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders—have gone off the airwaves completely: Neither Biden nor Sanders has run a television ad since March 17. For overall ad spend, the presidential race has “slowed considerably,” and digital advertising has been largely aimed at fundraising rather than persuasion.

Read more: The candidates' virtual events have struggled to cut through the noise, but PACs are leading the charge with TV ads attacking Trump for his COVID-19 response.

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This year, traditional April Fools’ Day gags feel pretty out of sync with the state of the world, as a global pandemic continues to leave people locked in their homes and riddled with anxiety. Instead of a prank for April Fools' Day, Adweek invited a small group emerging ad professionals to call into one-on-one video chats via Zoom, then let them in on the secret: They would actually be talking to some of the biggest names in the industry. Watch to catch advice from DDB's Wendy Clark, Make Love Not Porn's Cindy Gallop, Vayner Media's Gary Vaynerchuk, Burger King's Fernando Machado, and Isaiah Mustafa (a.k.a. the Old Spice guy).

These are challenging times for all of us — our families, our business, our colleagues. With the landscape shifting so rapidly, Adweek continues to be committed to keeping you updated in real-time. We are all in this together and will be here for you virtually over the next few months and in person at Brandweek, where we’ll reunite you with your peers. Join us Sept. 14-17, in Miami, FL. to stay up to date on the newest marketing trends, be inspired, share and learn. Sign up to stay connected.

He joins 3-year-old shop Modifly.

Founders are forging ahead with plans despite the pandemic.

Havas Chicago finds a lighthearted way to spread Lori Lightfoot's serious message.

Your customers have the answers, says Cover FX Skincare's Emily Culp.

Rideshare company commits to 10 million free rides and deliveries for coronavirus relief.

People sharing screenshots to Instagram or Twitter will receive $25 gift cards.