Meow Wolf Taps Into ’90s Mall Culture to Hype Its New Exhibit

A typical American mall scene–circa the 1990s–gets a trippy makeover where aliens mingle with shoppers and mannequins come to life, stores have sardonic names like “Earholes” and mall walkers form a cult-like community. This surreal take on a well-known shrine of conspicuous consumption comes courtesy of art collective and entertainment company Meow Wolf as a…

How an Army of Creators Is Helping Bose Modernize Its Marketing

Jim Mollica has roots in media, with tenures at giants like Viacom and Disney under his belt. Now as chief marketing officer (CMO) at audio business Bose, his day to day looks a little different–selling high-end sound products instead of media slots around SpongeBob SquarePants. What has remained the same, though, is an obsession with…

Hilton’s TikTok Ad Changed the Social Marketing Game for Good

ICYMI: In February, Hilton Hotels & Resorts released a 10-minute TikTok video–yes, you read that correctly–that took viewers on a sprawling journey, spanning dozens of locations and multiple genres, featuring appearances from more than half a dozen beloved TikTok creators. Not only did the spot earn some 4 million views within its first two days…

What’s Wrong With This Picture? Mom’s Not In It

Scroll through any mom’s photo collection and you’ll likely find hundreds of pictures of kids, partners and pets that capture everything from a family’s pivotal moments to daily occurrences. But what’s often missing from those photos? Mom. Given that the matriarch is usually the one snapping the pics, instead of showing up in them, Canadian…

Could AI Do That? Brooklyn Film Fest Touts Messy, Imperfect Human Stories

On a lark, a woman named Gil tried on a jewel-inlaid grill at a pawn shop, but the “near priceless” piece of bling got stuck in her mouth. Months later, on the verge of a critical job interview, Gil is the very definition of “too much drip.” And she’s sorry–so very regretful for her momentary…

Geico Gives the Gecko a Sparring Partner in Will Arnett

Geico’s Gecko has pretty much been a solo act for his entire spokes-reptile career. But in a new campaign, The Martin Agency has brought on someone who can go toe to green toe with the money-saving icon–Will Arnett. In a new campaign, Arnett is a foil for the usually buttoned up Gecko. In the campaign,…

Teleflora’s Mother’s Day Ad Reveals the ‘Hardest Part’ of the Job

A woman hugs her young son, tells him to have a good day and watches as his school bus drives away. Only then, when he’s out of sight, does her smile fade and her eyes fill with tears. Overcome with emotion, she tries to block the camera that’s recording the moment. Too late, though, because…

Heinz and Absolut Go Back the 80s for Pasta Alla Vodka Sauce Launch

Like many legendary dishes, the origins of penne alla vodka (a staple of Italian-American cuisine) are heavily disputed. Chef Luigi Franzese, who worked at Orsini Restaurant in New York, is reported to have invented the sauce in the 70s. Other food historians believe it was conceived later in the 80s by James Doty, a Columbia…

Captain Morgan Is Flipping the Script on Responsible Drinking PSAs

In mid-March, Guinness suggested St. Patrick’s Day revelers drink less. Well, for transparency, it actually suggested they try its nonalcoholic beer Guinness 0.0 instead. Now, Captain Morgan–also owned by drinks behemoth Diageo–has launched its largest-ever responsible drinking campaign, with help from Vice-owned agency Virtue. The spiced rum brand has enlisted singer, songwriter and rapper Bree…

Kumail Nanjiani Pops Into Real Dirty Scenes to Tell People They’re ‘Gonna Need More Tide’

Actor Kumail Nanjiani inserts himself into a series of moments where people are dealing with serious messes to remind them, with his signature dry wit, that they’re “gonna need more Tide.” The campaign for the detergent brand’s new Tide Power Pods finds Nanjiani in a series of scenes where people are in the process of…

Axe and Lil Baby’s Foray Into Fine Fragrances Passes Gen Z’s Smell Test

The partnership between Axe and Lil Baby already had the sweet smell of success, given the rapper’s open affection toward the brand prior to his stratospheric rise. But the duo’s latest campaign–by way of The Martin Agency–drives that point home as they find creative ways to introduce Gen Z to the world of fine fragrances….

Amazon Prime Facilitates Self-Discovery Through Shopping in Olivia Wilde-Directed Short

Taking notes from the artists and creatives of yesteryear can ignite the unique thinkers of the next generation. Channeling the sense of joy that can come from identifying with trailblazers of the past, Amazon has teamed with W+K London for the “It’s on Prime” campaign. This launch is accompanied by a video directed by Olivia…

Autodesk Is the Everywhere Software You Don’t Know—Until Now

The Oscars are full of grandiose accolades, fawning, excessive adulation and platitudes. When those involve someone behind the scenes, viewers often tune out, as the insider flattery falls flat. A new campaign helps poke fun at this ritual with film stars and award-winning filmmakers singing the praises of an entertainment industry icon who has had…

Robert Downey Jr. Takes On New Heroic Role as Cybercrime Fighter for Aura

As technology continues to advance, so does the prevalence of cybercrime. Per the AARP, American families lost almost $7 billion to cybercrime in 2021 alone. Online security provider Aura wants to do its part to fight cybercrime, but to do so it needs a strong team. Luckily, there is one person willing to stand alongside…

Bumble Shows Black Women Love in Affectionate Campaign

For one of the shortest months of the year, February is one of the busiest: the Super Bowl, the Grammy Awards, NBA All-Star Weekend, Valentine’s Day and, of course, Black History Month, jockeying for the public’s time and attention. Brands and the media are often so busy courting so many different factions at once that…

How KFC Canada Quickly Reclaimed the Chicken Narrative During McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac Debut

After months of teasing the launch, it’s official: Starting Tuesday and for a limited time only, Canadian McDonald’s fans can enjoy the Big Mac with chicken patties instead of beef. Yet, judging from the follow-up social media exchanges with fellow fast food brand KFC, that doesn’t mean that there is no beef to be had….

Mercedes-Benz Ad Wants Women to Feel They’re Among Many Game Changers, Not the Exception

Women have made endless scientific discoveries, won athletic competitions, created groundbreaking works of art and more. Yet, gender discrimination remains a major hurdle for many, making International Women’s Day just as vital in 2023 as it was in its founding year, 1911. With the need for more rapid change at its heart, Mercedes-Benz has teamed…

Kraft Dinner Apologizes for ‘Fork Up’ in Spoon-Friendly Campaign

It’s impossible to say what circa-1000 B.C. genius invented the handy spoon, but there is no denying that they did a major service to humanity. Here’s to them, whoever they were. Their impact has been nothing short of legendary. It is in acknowledgment of the mighty spoon that Kraft Dinner (KD) has launched a new…

TIAA’s Rhythmic Ad Urges Black Americans to Take Steps Toward Retiring Confidently  

Retirement equity fund TIAA and The Martin Agency are taking bold steps–literally–to address the massive financial disparity plaguing Black Americans pondering retirement. The financial services firm and its AOR have launched “Stepping Further,” the latest initiative in its #RetireInequality campaign, to draw attention to a sobering stat: 54% of Black Americans currently do not have…

Corteiz and Nike’s Air Max 95 Ad Breaks Every Marketing Rule

Nike’s Air Max 95 drop with London-founded label Corteiz has been one of the most anticipated launches of 2023 among streetwear fans. But on March 2, the pair dropped an ad depicting a world where the launch was canceled. The 3.5-minute film, directed by Walid Labri through production company Division out of Paris, opens with…