Some Unfortunate News...

October 30, 2025

A Pause to VMC

Hey Friend, I have some unfortunate news to share with you today. The Vibe Marketing Club newsletter will be taking a brief pause after this week.

We will be regrouping to strategize what direction we want to take this newsletter moving forward, so it’s not a goodbye, but see ya in a bit.

Without delay, here is this week’s top news in the ad industry…

AI & Marketing News

Via Marketing Dive | Wild AF

Celebs are doubling down on the non-alcoholic beer boom.

John Mulaney has become a co-owner of the non-alcoholic brand Years and will act as its spokesperson in the brand’s upcoming campaign.

Meanwhile, Charlie Sheen founded his own NA beer brand, Wild AF Brewing, citing gaps in the market he experienced after quitting alcohol.

Mario Tama via Getty Images

Netflix just reported its best quarter ever in ad sales, with U.S. upfront commitments doubling and ad revenue on pace to more than double in 2025.

The streaming giant has rolled out its in-house ad-tech stack across 12 global ad markets, giving marketers more formats, better measurement, and expanded targeting capabilities.

Meanwhile, Netflix is exploring AI to evolve ad formats and creative development, and is keeping one eye open to strategic M&A, even if legacy networks don’t fit its DNA.

Gushers, Six Flags, Disney + / Ad Age compilation Via Ad Age

The newly released Ad Age list of Best Halloween Ads of 2025 spotlights brands that turned spooky season into high-impact storytelling.

From immersive experiential campaigns to viral digital stunts, the winners lean heavily into bold visuals, immersive brand experiences, and cultural relevance.

A few key themes stood out: real-world scares with digital extensions, using user-generated content to increase participation, and embracing pop-culture crossovers to maximize shareability.

Brand Feature — Dunkin’ & Khalua

Via Marketing Dive | Courtesy of Pernod Ricard

Dunkin’ and Kahlúa have teamed up to launch a co-branded product: Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur (aka “Kahlunkin’”).

The campaign stars Salma Hayek Pinault in a telenovela-inspired video where a creamy drink is revealed to be this new blend of coffee liqueur and Dunkin’s caramel swirl flavor.

The rollout spans streaming, social, audio, and on-the-ground pop-ups (including a Grand Central Terminal activation), signaling a full-funnel push.

They’re clearly targeting Gen Z’s growing interest in coffee-based alcoholic beverages, blending two iconic brands and playful storytelling to stand out.

A Brief “Goodbye”

Thank you as always for reading. While we will be taking a leave of absence, this isn’t a farewell. We’ll be back soon with more value and ad industry fun.

Until then, happy early holidays, and keep the good vibes rolling.