Creative Agencies Support Local Biz; Retailers Look to China for Answers: Thursday's First Things First

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7 Creative Ways Agencies Are Supporting Local Businesses

Several ad agencies—always on the lookout for ways to prove their creative chops—have come up with some lighthearted and, dare we say, fun ways to drum up money and support for the communities they work in during the crisis.

For example, a group of creatives at R/GA recently came up with Merch Aid, a nonprofit that creates merchandise like T-shirts and tote bags for small companies that are in desperate need of cash. And to support bars, global agency The Community has been inviting local bartenders to join happy hours via Zoom, encouraging employees to send them a tip via Venmo each time a fresh drink is poured.

As Stores Reopen in China, U.S. Retailers Look to the Country for Answers

The pattern of Chinese consumers’ purchasing habits in response to Covid-19 is now being mirrored in other countries as the contagion spreads. Like SARS did for China, the coronavirus may expose gaps in the U.S.’s digital and technological capabilities, while altering consumer behavior and spurring necessary infrastructural improvements, said Iris Chan, a partner at digital marketing agency Digital Luxury Group.

And just as livestreaming became an important tool for Chinese businesses to sell their goods while physical destinations shuttered, the same may be true of the U.S., with 5G, augmented and virtual reality offerings and contactless payment proving essential in the post-pandemic retail landscape.

Natural Light Is Hiring a Fully Remote Intern to Develop Its Next Flavor

Natural Light is looking for a summer intern to craft its newest flavor—and the gig pays $40 per hour. While many companies have canceled their internship programs this year, everyone’s favorite college beer brand is hiring an intern for its “flavor innovation role” this summer (following its introduction last year), making the position fully remote due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Related: Also in Anheuser-Busch news, Budweiser today released a second, 90-second PSA-style ad harking back to its iconic “Whassup” spot from 1999, with added star power from Insecure’s Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji, The Umbrella Academy’s Emmy Raver-Lampman and Broadway star Daveed Diggs.

Food, Home Focus Give Discovery a Ratings and Revenue Edge During Pandemic

Discovery Inc. is at an advantage over many other media companies given that it doesn’t air sports in the U.S., and it has multiple networks devoted to cooking and home improvement. The company is leaning in with quarantined-themed new series, including a version of HGTV’s House Hunters called House Hunters LOL, in which comedians poke fun at past episodes, as well as the Food Network series Amy Schumer Learns to Cook, which co-stars her husband and was shot by her nanny.

Related: The IAB is firming up the plans for its postponed NewFronts virtual event, which will now take place the week of June 22 and feature a half-dozen new presenters filling some of the slots vacated by the eight companies that have dropped out since the event went steaming-only in March, and then was postponed a month ago.

More of Today’s Top News and Highlights

Doctors Subtly Become Superheroes in This Inspired Poster Campaign

Woman doctor shown with marks on her face from PPE

Jess Zafarris

@JessZafarris jessica.farris@adweek.com Jess Zafarris (née Jessica Farris) is an audience engagement editor at Adweek.

Creative Agencies Support Local Biz; Retailers Look to China for Answers: Thursday’s First Things First

Plus, Natty Light is looking for a summer intern to craft its newest flavor—and the gig pays $40 per hour