While in the past, some brands' CSR efforts have fallen flat, most Americans are happy to see them taking steps to protect people during the coronavirus pandemic. Research suggests that brands that tailor their interactions to particular audiences can foster more positive sentiment.

Cult fast-food chain Wingstop is paying its fans $10 to wear branded sweatshirts, effectively transforming them into walking billboards. By giving away merch and encouraging wearers to show off their looks online, the brand is cultivating a sense of closeness that goes beyond traditional advertising.

Why is optimistic advertising so appealing? How are people defining the ‘American Dream’ for themselves? And could breaking the fourth wall to subvert hard-selling win over new fans? Canvas8 unpicks the behavioral themes present in 11 notable campaigns from the 2020 Super Bowl.

Branded merchandise was once solely found at business conventions and in the wardrobes of fervent fans, but it’s enjoying a renaissance as Gen Yers and Zers seek new ways of expressing their identity. What does this resurgence reveal of the shifting nature of consumer-brand relationships?