THE SOCIAL EDIT

If we want to talk social media bans to protect our kids, it should be a national discussion

Letting the provinces develop their own rules or regulations would bring chaos, says Mo Dezyanian.

Taking a scroll — Week of May 18: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Campaign Conversations: Why Loblaw Agency is building creator strategies around culture, not campaigns

Head of social Darcy MacNeil discusses how the brand is reshaping its creator strategy around social listening, cultural relevance and long-term partnerships.

Canadians are the least receptive to brand DMs, Snapchat finds

Canadians are more cautious when it comes to receiving direct messages from brands, with intent becoming critical to success in private messaging environments.

The Ordinary turns creators into cultural translators for The Markup Marché pop-up

The grocery-store-inspired global pop-up used exaggerated luxury-style branding on everyday items to spotlight how pricing and marketing language shape perceived value in the beauty industry.

From Alex Cooper to TV checkouts: Everything announced at YouTube Brandcast 2026

YouTube doubles down on the creator economy and AI-powered ad formats.

Canada Soccer gives special access to Snapchat creators for World Cup

The partnership will give creators and players expanded access, behind-the-scenes storytelling and immersive fan activations as Canada prepares to co-host the World Cup.

TikTok announces new AI ad formats and additions to TikTok One

Features range from allowing users to book full holidays inside the platform to prioritising brand-owned pages in TikTok search results.

Retire the funnel, build infinite loops—redefining branding building in a social age

Social experts at a CMA Marketing Week panel discussion challenged traditional campaign thinking, pointing to a reality where audiences actively shape culture, commerce and brand performance in real time.

Campaign Conversations: From gearheads to lifestyle, Volvo’s new roadmap to influence

Volvo’s Matt Girgis goes inside the automakers "full-funnel,” always-on approach that prioritizes storytelling and long-term brand advocacy.

Why Reitmans threw a birthday party in a distribution centre

The creator focused celebrations reflects the brand’s focus on deeper engagement with younger consumers.

Taking a scroll — Week of May 11: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

TikTok to launch paid, ad-free tier in UK

TikTok becomes the latest social media platform to allow users to opt-out of targeted advertising for a fee, though creators will still have access to this audience via sponsored content.

Taking a scroll — Week of May 4: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Millennials’ essay-long product descriptions vs. Gen Z’s emoji marketing: Which "eats" the hardest?

Brands from Cheesecake Factory to Cinnamon Toast Crunch are jumping on a social media trend comparing millennial PR teams to Gen Z social media teams.

TikTok’s global executive creative director Tom Skinner departs

Tom Skinner was at BBH before spending six years at the social platform.

“Lazy” brands are fuelling “insane” prices for creators

Some creators are still quoting “absolutely wild” prices to work with them, and “lazy” brands are enabling the trend, NatWest’s head of content marketing and distribution told the Influencer360 conference.

Snapchat, Disney and agency leaders explore the limits of marketing measurement

Agency leaders discussed how growth depends on emotional connection and long-term memory structures, as marketers move beyond last-click attribution and cost-led planning.

Taking a scroll — Week of April 27: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Pinterest makes a CTV debut amid a performance marketing rebrand

Making the audience addressable through TVScientific is just the “first step in our product roadmap,” says a Pinterest executive, as the platform pushes beyond social.

How The Gist taps creators to bridge the women’s sports engagement gap

As women's sports and female fandoms surge, The Gist is using creators, local activations and community-led content to meet those growing audiences where traditional sports media falls short.

X kicks off global overhaul of ad platform

The rebuild follows a period of challenges between X and advertisers.

Campaign Conversations: Pet Valu's creator strategy

Idan Driman kicks off a new Social Edit feature where we dive deep into the details of creator marketing playbooks for brands across Canada.

Pattison bringing influencer content to its transit, airport networks

Partnership with Calgary agency Embold brings the digital and physical worlds together.

Taking a scroll — Week of April 20: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

The viral pizza that made Americans cross the border

After going viral and landing on Saturday Night Live, the limited-time pizza prompted Pizza Hut Canada and Diamond to invite Americans to cross the border for a slice.

Real talk: Pinterest leans into the anti-scroll era with global brand push

VP of Creative Xanthe Wells discusses the thinking behind the platform’s latest campaign and how it aims to inspire action beyond the feed.

Taking a scroll — Week of April 13: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

TikTok, 4As back first US certification program for brand deals

The Institute for Responsible Influence announced the Responsible Influence Certification Program on Monday.

Reese’s launches limited-edition Big Cups with creator-led campaign

The digital-first campaign features custom sneakers, locked vault teasers and a nationwide contest.

Taking a scroll — Week of April 6: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Tinder taps astrology to spark Gen Z conversations

The social-first “It Starts with a Sign” campaign leans into creator-led storytelling to launch Astrology Mode.

Snapchat and YouTube join Numeris VAM as cross-platform measurement gains momentum

The additions bring more of the Canadian video ecosystem into a single measurement framework.

“Interconnected forces” – are paid ads or organic posts the future of social?

As organic social posts continue to reach fewer followers than in the past, brands and their agency partners are weighing up how far to shift more towards paid social ads but should they abandon organic altogether?

Meta removes ads from lawyers seeking users to sue its platforms

Tech company is disallowing lawyers to “profit from [its] platforms while claiming they are harmful.”

Bill Gates-founded BENlabs set to shutter

The influencer marketing agency’s CEO exited in January, two years after Gates pulled funding.

The $200 billion moral dilemma: Should the ad industry fund healthier social media?

A landmark California ruling and Australia’s under‑16 social media ban have forced the ad industry to confront funding addictive platforms. But will the industry lead the shift to healthier digital spaces?

From Nutella to maple syrup: everyday brands achieve lift-off on Artemis mission

A floating jar of Nutella, a request for maple syrup, and unexpected brand cameos show how daily life and global brands are being amplified in real time aboard Artemis II.

TikTok signals Canadian comeback with hiring push and partnership revival

After a government-ordered shutdown threat, the platform is re-establishing its presence with over 30 new roles and renewed cultural partnerships.

Taking a scroll — Week of March 30: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Billion Dollar Boy launches Creator Payments to tackle financial burnout in creator economy

The influencer agency is partnering with Lumanu to streamline payments for the more than 55% of creators facing financial instability.

Dentsu X launches “The Creator Catalyst” to turn influencer activity into measurable growth

The new playbook helps brands move beyond one-off campaigns, connecting creators, culture and commerce in a system designed for speed, relevance and performance.

Pinterest brings shoppable inspiration to connected TV with Roku series debut

“Bring My Pinterest to Life” marks the platform’s first move into premium streaming, linking content, commerce and intent data, in a bid to turn inspiration into measurable action.

TikTok Canada rolls out new ad formats aimed at premium video moments

New offerings including Logo Takeover, Prime Time and expanded Pulse aim to help brands own key cultural moments and reach fragmented audiences.

Confluence Awards crowns first-ever winners, marking milestone for Canada’s creator economy

Canada’s inaugural national creator awards celebrated top talent across multiple categories, spotlighting a new standard for recognizing cultural impact, authenticity and community-driven influence.

Taking a scroll — Week of March 23: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

ExploreNB launches AI chatbot to streamline trip planning

The new Explora tool, developed with Matador Network’s GuideGeek, delivers personalized itineraries and real-time travel guidance, offering insights into visitor behaviour across New Brunswick.

Australian company fined for telling influencers to conceal paid posts

In a first-of-its-kind case, Australian authorities have slapped a US$27,608 penalty over undisclosed influencer gifting.

Canada’s first AI Literacy Day launches to equip Canadians for digital future

The March 27 MediaSmarts initiative aims to help Canadians understand AI, develop critical thinking skills and navigate challenges.

TikTok for Business launches “Watch it. Love it. Want it.”

The new global platform signals a shift toward full-funnel marketing within TikTok, where discovery, engagement and conversion increasingly happen in one place.

Tech slowdown cools social media momentum, but growth remains robust: WARC

Latest forecast shows global social media ad spend rising in 2026, with Instagram, Facebook and TikTok posting double-digit gains.

Hellmann’s gives mayo, long a bit player, some main-character energy

Campaign from Edelman Canada wants the condiment to claim its rightful place as a food A-lister.

Unilever appoints influencer agency for global food business

Seven agencies pitched for the account, which covers Knorr and Hellmann's.

AI influencers push creator marketing into a new phase

As brands experiment with digital twins and virtual creators, marketers are weighing the scale and efficiency of AI against the trust and human connection that drive real influence.

Narcity Media launches “Boost” to streamline Instagram story distribution for brands

The platform lets brands launch city-based Instagram Story campaigns in minutes, tapping more than 2,000 creators and everyday users without the usual influencer processes.

Inside Snapchat’s Canadian comeback

New GM Bob Cornwall shares how the platform is bridging the gap between marketers and users, deepening engagement in mature markets, and positioning itself as a core growth engine for Canadian brands.

Taking a scroll — Week of March 16: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

YouTube teams with FIFA as preferred platform for 2026 World Cup coverage

The partnership spans historic match archives, live highlights and creator-led coverage across Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

What actually proves creator ROI?

Zeinab Sayed, head of measurement at #paid, outlines the benchmarks, brand-lift signals and creative formats that show whether influencer content is truly driving impact.

Taking a scroll — Week of March 9: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Hermana Agency names creator Kennedy Rose strategic advisor for new all-women gaming division

The creator-first move positions Hermana to strengthen the bridge between influencers and brands through embedded creator leadership.

Brand-building in the age of social: What Nike and Aldi get right

Simply having a funny or unhinged tone of voice is not enough.

Publicis Groupe Canada launches social-first agency, Coby Shuman to lead

Shuman joins Publicis to build a social-first team designed to help brands spark culture, engage communities, and create impact across platforms.

Canada allows TikTok to continue operating after national security review agreement

Ottawa says new data safeguards and oversight measures address security concerns while allowing TikTok to maintain its Canadian operations and support the country’s creator economy.

Taking a scroll — Week of March 2: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Molly Carlson, William Nylander and the rise of the athlete-creator

From Olympic vlogs to behind-the-scenes training content, athletes are turning social platforms into media channels — and giving brands new ways to reach fans.

IKEA Canada launches “Kitchen Showroom Showdown”

The five-part YouTube series shows how kitchens can be built on any budget, with expert tips, creative designs and renovation advice.

We are in the era of "trust infrastructure" and AI-powered creator commerce: Ogilvy

Optimized influencer campaigns are now delivering up to $18 for every $1 spent—well above the industry average of $5.78—according to Ogilvy’s 2026 Influencer Trends Report.

Bun Fight: A&W roasts McDonald’s CEO over ‘cringe’ burger post

Why authenticity is the secret sauce: A&W seizes on a cultural moment as the Big Arch promo video becomes a cautionary social media tale.

We Are Social Canada’s Krisztina Virag on building “social worlds” and scaling culture-first growth

Newly appointed managing director outlines her vision—from moving brands beyond reactive posts to investing in creators, AI-driven personalization and social commerce.

Taking a scroll — Week of Feb. 23: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

5 Questions With… Edwin Chung

From parkour-filming martial artist to a global leader in VFX-driven storytelling, Edwin Chung discusses the shift from influencer to creator, and how he transforms branded content into an art form.

CMA introduces Social Content and Commerce Committee to support Canadian marketers

The CMA initiative will give Canadian marketers the tools, standards and insights they need to navigate the growing creator economy and social commerce landscape.

Publicis Groupe hires ex-Ogilvy influence chief Rahul Titus

For the past four years, Titus has also served as global influence lead for WPP’s Open X.

Micro-influencers and transparency drive the Canadian influencer market

Ad Standards and Caddle release new research showing micro-influencers are the go-to for product discovery, with authenticity and transparency outweighing celebrity reach in shaping consumer choices.

Make-A-Wish Canada turns wishes into music with TikTok song

The original track by Montreal-born singer-songwriter Stacey Ryan celebrates the power of wishes for children with critical illnesses, inviting fans to create TikTok content with a branded effect.

Cossette introduces the GOAT (“Greatest Of All Tasters”) for Hostess

The brand is challenging Canadians to guess the flavours of its mystery snack cakes—led by a chaotic, internet-ready goat puppet built for social.

Taking a scroll — Week of Feb. 16: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

The Creator Economy Outlook 2026: Part 3

As the market matures, experts predict where growth, risk and opportunity will emerge next.

Snapchat launches ad-free creator subscriptions

Fans can now access exclusive snaps and priority replies while creators build recurring revenue in a fully ad-free environment.

Reitmans turns abandoned Toronto subway station into a runway experience

Reitmans’ Spring 2026 subway takeover generated over 33 million social media impressions, turning an abandoned station into a viral fashion moment.

Creator marketing moves from trend to core channel, Emarketer says

Creator partnerships are no longer optional: 48% of marketers say they’re a must-have.

We Are Social names Krisztina Virag MD for Canada after Coby Shuman departure

The Plus Company owned social agency also shakes up US leadership with plans to enhance creative innovation and client growth across North America.

The 10 most powerful Canadian creators

A snapshot of the creators who are commanding attention and shaping trends nationwide.

Have we reached peak Labubu? Charting the rise and fall of the ugly-cute viral toy

What began as a storybook monster became 2024's $430 million phenomenon via TikTok and celebrity flexes, but counterfeit scandals and market corrections now cast doubt on whether Labubu can evolve beyond a one-cycle craze.

The 10 most viewed Super Bowl LX ads on YouTube AdBlitz

From creator-led spots to nostalgic reunions, this year’s Super Bowl ads sparked plenty of post-game buzz on YouTube.

Taking a scroll — Week of Feb. 9: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Social-first Super Bowl campaigns show how brands are winning without TV

Super Bowl LX demonstrates the growing power of social-only activations and the evolution of hybrid strategies.

No TV ad, no problem: Kraft Mac & Cheese hijacks Super Bowl Sunday

Skipping a traditional 30-second spot, Kraft Mac & Cheese responded in real time to more than 50 Super Bowl commercials

Subway Canada turns Super Bowl link sharing into a Twitch misdirect

By tricking consumers into watching a “soup or bowl,” DonerNorth helped the sandwich brand cut through one of the year’s most cluttered media moments.

Taking a scroll — Week of Feb. 6: This week in the global creator economy

The latest trends, creator moves and platform updates marketers need to know.

Snap and Alphabet results: Lots of AI, and a focus on profitable growth

Media and social experts share their interpretation of the numbers to predict how brands will be reaching consumers on the platforms in the months ahead.

The Creator Economy Outlook 2026: Part 2

As the market matures, experts predict where growth, risk and opportunity will emerge next.

How a creator campaign for Pet Valu drove store visits up 5%

The campaign offers a clear look at how Pet Valu used creators to connect emotional storytelling with physical store behaviour in a competitive retail category.

Clark Influence appoints senior leaders to bolster social-first strategy

The agency has hired Sophie Morel and Marine Didierlaurent as it expands its social team, aiming to deliver integrated, performance-driven content and influencer campaigns across Canada.

5 Questions With… Torri Webster

How Torri Webster chooses the brands she works with—and the ones she turns down.

Adbot takes “advertainment” approach to social media marketing

“Our goal is to give consumers a reason to talk about your brand. I’m a content creator, not an ad agency, so we play by different rules,” says Adbot founder Raul Garcia

The Creator Economy Outlook 2026: Part 1

As the market matures, experts predict where growth, risk and opportunity will emerge next.

Introducing #TheSocialEdit, our new content vertical

An ongoing exploration of the many ways social media is reshaping today’s advertising landscape.