• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'

3

Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Arts & EntertainmentBrands

#Brands are milking Back to the Future Day for all it’s worth

By
Jonathan Chew
Jonathan Chew
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jonathan Chew
Jonathan Chew
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 21, 2015, 9:37 AM ET

In Back to the Future II, Marty McFly, Doc Brown and Jennifer Parker hopped into a DeLorean and traveled forwards in time to October 21, 2015. In our reality, that day has finally arrived.

Brands are milking all the 1.21 gigawatts of nostalgia they possibly can from everyone’s favorite sci-fi flick (not withstanding other ones). Here’s a rundown of what companies are doing to get #BackToTheFuture:

Nike
Great Scott! It’s:
Self-lacing sneakers

In the film, Marty sports a spiffy pair of self-lacing Nikes, and human beings have wanted some of those soles ever since. In January of this year, Tinker Hatfield – the company designer who actually created the shoes for the movie – leaked the possibility that the company would finally fulfill its destiny and come out with some limited edition self-lacers this year. In September, ad exec Max Erdenberger showed a 2011 pair of Nike MAGs that had Twitter in a frenzy:

https://twitter.com/bartj3/status/656524450314194944

Nike has also teased a possible launch Tuesday on its Twitter account. We can only wait like a dutiful Einstein.

Toyota
Great Scott! It’s:
Trash as fuel

Doc Brown’s DeLorean doesn’t only travel back in time—it also uses Marty’s garbage to power up. Toyota now has a hydrogen fuel cell car called the Mirai that runs on a whole host of things, and has recruited BttF actors Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd to help promote it. Fox and Lloyd were seen in a debut commercial talking about the Back to the Future creations that haven’t happened—and in the latest Toyota ad, were shown one that has:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFyY7_hc-14

Ford
Great Scott! It’s: A flux capacitor

Don’t head to your nearest showroom just yet, it’s a dummy version. The Y-shaped generator that needed nuclear fuel or a bolt of lightning to work in BttF, Ford released a mock ad that asked all its car owners to upgrade their vehicles with a flux capacitor for a fictional $1.21 million:

https://twitter.com/mrlevine/status/655134148588273664

Don’t think we’ve forgotten about that futuristic Probe, Ford.

Pepsi
Great Scott! It’s: Pepsi Perfect

Marty’s drink of choice in his version of 2015 was a svelte-looking Pepsi. Today, Pepsi has come out with the BttF soda for a playful (and astronomical in any time period) $20.15:

All you wanted was a #PepsiPerfect? Available on 10/21/15 at https://t.co/tJxg2Et8ZH while limited supplies last. pic.twitter.com/WkSSwVNGS6

— Pepsi (@pepsi) October 20, 2015

However, fans are raging that this cola is probably sold out, and the soft-drink company has been trying to mitigate the outrage that their limited edition BttF Pepsi is editionally limited. Even in 2015, companies cannot win.

Universal
Great Scott! It’s: (Another video about a) hoverboard

It’s 2015, and we still have no hoverboard. We have some noble attempts, but nothing that could take us for a ride like it did for Marty. Universal, however, put out a mock ad that replicates the same hoverboard:

Lyft
Great Scott! It’s: A DeLorean

For New Yorkers, the time has come for us to enter a DeLorean. In a partnership with Verizon, on-demand ride-sharing company Lyft is offering free rides of up to 15 minutes in DeLoreans just for Wednesday. Press the ‘McFly Mode’ in the Lyft app, and one could come to your doorstep in no time. The company has yet to confirm if it flies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOsM-P-WSAo

About the Author
By Jonathan Chew
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

pizza
PoliticsRestaurants
‘Earth-shaking event for New York pizza’ looms as flour ban hits 80% of crusts citywide
By Jake Offenhartz and The Associated PressMay 22, 2026
7 hours ago
Stephen Colbert signs off after 11 years tonight. CBS cites finances, but the Late Show host blames Trump
Arts & EntertainmentStephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert signs off after 11 years tonight. CBS cites finances, but the Late Show host blames Trump
By Dave Lozo and Morning BrewMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
murdoch
Big TechMedia
James Murdoch vows ‘ambitious journalism and agenda-setting conversations’ as he takes over New York, Vox brands
By Jocelyn Noveck and The Associated PressMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
target
Retailearnings
Target posts biggest jump in comparable sales in 4 years as turnaround takes shape
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Photo of Brian Stelter
Arts & EntertainmentWorkplace Innovation Summit
CNN analyst and ‘The Morning Show’ producer says Stephen Colbert is a role model for his ‘positive’ outlook on his show ending
By Emma BurleighMay 19, 2026
3 days ago
‘Change the World’ idealism is dying in Silicon Valley. We’ll miss it when it’s gone
CommentarySilicon Valley
‘Change the World’ idealism is dying in Silicon Valley. We’ll miss it when it’s gone
By Jonathan WeberMay 19, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
3 days ago
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
Workplace Culture
Pay transparency is exposing a bigger problem: Most companies can't explain why they pay what they pay
By Sydney LakeMay 20, 2026
2 days ago
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
AI
McKinsey partner says up to 50% of work hours could be transformed within the next 5 years
By Emma BurleighMay 21, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 21, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 21, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.