For most marketers and advertisers, 2023 was a strangely challenging year. Advertising spend continued to decelerate, and even decline, in some depressed categories like linear TV. Spooked, and fearful of marketers tightening their purse strings yet again, a lot of agencies resorted to layoffs. Meanwhile, several accounts went into review. It’s been a tragic year…
Geico paved the way for insurance mascots nearly 30 years ago, and while the brand has gone through quite a few characters over the years–destructive raccoons, talking camels, joyful piglets, gleeful woodchucks and Pinocchio–only two have been in multiple spots and only one had its own sitcom. Most people think of the Gecko when they…
Traditionally, creator and brand partnerships are formed via communications through brand comms teams, influencer agencies and/or direct messages on social platforms. Through The Creatorverse Exchange program, brands and creators were able to go beyond the traditional channels and have a direct line straight to each other. Earlier this year, Meta and Adweek partnered together to…
Celebrities, they’re just like us. They have embarrassing moments, struggle with self-doubt at pool parties and rage against fruit flies. Uber Eats brings to life the hilarious inner monologues that may occur while ordering out. Created by agency Special US, the videos focus on different celebrities considering their delivery options-to comic effect. The actors who…
Many brands are increasingly focused on capturing millennial and Gen Z audiences. Yet, with a July 2023 congressional hearing having confirmed the existence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), isn’t it time that the industry starts reaching out to the extraterrestrial market? MoonPie took note of the hearings. In the aftermath of these revelations, the company’s…
Smirnoff is leaning further into intersectionality and inclusivity with a colorful campaign and series of experiences that celebrate the magic that happens when people from different backgrounds socialize together. In mid-2023, the vodka brand unveiled a fresh tagline devised by newly appointed agency McCann, “We Do We.” The hero spot features drinkers of different genders,…
Bath & Body Works is celebrating the holiday with a new campaign that touts its medley of fragrances and a really big candle in New York City. The campaign introduces a new creative platform, “Come Back to Your Senses,” developed by Adweek’s Multicultural Agency of the Year, The Community, which won the business after a…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Spotify Wrapped season. For all those who observe the annual tradition, it’s time to delve into your 2023 listening habits. Did Beyonce or Taylor Swift dominate? How many times you hit play on “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus? Were you the only person who made an unhinged playlist…
Since the inception of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the 1800s, HBCUs have been a driving force in developing successful Black professionals in America. According to a White House report, HBCUs have produced approximately 40% of all Black engineers, 50% of all Black lawyers, 70% of Black doctors and 80% of Black judges….
For myriad personal and complex reasons breastfeeding can be tough or even impossible. That’s why, although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding until six months, just 40% of infants are fed this way globally. All moms will know the mantra that “fed is best,” and baby bottles have come a long way since…
Elves certainly don’t belong on shelves in the first Christmas ad from global travel brand TUI. In a bid to reach travelers before the New Year vacation booking frenzy, the advertiser has unveiled a high-energy spot that shows what really happens when Santa Claus flies off to deliver presents on Christmas Eve. The hero ad…
As our November holiday approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the many things we’re thankful for. As a long-time veteran of the ad business, I’m thankful for the creative people in this industry, who breathe life into campaigns and brands on a daily basis, despite ever-changing client priorities and challenging economic environments. While many of…
It’s a classic festive story: Rather than hating his boss, A Christmas Carol’s Bob Cratchit pities his lonely and miserable employer Ebenezer Scrooge and hopes that he’ll find joy in the holiday season. Apple’s annual holiday film, Fuzzy Feelings, channels the same sentiment, following a woman who comes to see her grumpy boss in a…
Keke “Keep a Bag” Palmer is back–and spreading pure love for Black-owned businesses with Google and U.S. Black Chambers in a video that may inspire an equal amount of dancing and shopping. Playing her natural role of advocate, spokesperson, fashionista and all-around entertainer, the multi-hyphenated entrepreneur and former Adweek cover star appears in the latest…
In 2023, the sports apparel market is expected to generate more than $213 billion in revenue, with the men’s segment driving the highest market share. A growing interest from consumers in pursuing more active lifestyles, along with health and fitness goals, has led to a demand for sports apparel, including athleisure wear. Sports culture has…
Editor’s note: In this article, Adweek deviated from its style of using Latinx due to the writer’s preference. Latine is a gender-neutral form of Latino. “Let’s hire a diverse candidate for this role.” “We should target underserved communities with this campaign.” “We need more minorities in this spot.” We’ve all been in rooms where these…
It’s a consequential time to be a brand. Every day, social, political and economic issues are creating flashpoints in culture that provoke opposing opinions and concerns. And businesses are feeling the effects: 64% of people would either buy from a brand or boycott it, solely because of its position on a social issue. Most brands…
It’s a consequential time to be a brand. Every day, social, political and economic issues are creating flashpoints in culture that provoke opposing opinions and concerns. And businesses are feeling the effects: 64% of people would either buy from a brand or boycott it, solely because of its position on a social issue. Most brands…
Freshly showered and wrapped in a towel, a man takes a peek in the bathroom mirror and realizes there’s a giant blemish on his shoulder that he can’t quite reach. His solution is to ask his boo to play a round of Dr. Pimple Popper. All together now: Awww, so sweet. While this may not…
Now that the actors strike is over, Apple has released a love letter to Hollywood that celebrates filmmaking in all its grit and glory. The ad is set to a new rendition of Irving Berlin’s classic song “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” which was first composed for the 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun….
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