There is, unquestionably, a formula for deifying athletes in advertising: One part hyperserious monologue. One part slow-motion cinematography. A few dashes of intense concentration. Someone probably climbs into an ice bath with a grimace. The music is required to either be symphonic or “Take Me to Church” by Hozier. 72andSunny Amsterdam carefully follows the formula…
Follow some real folks to Sonic, and you’ll find that they’re treating themselves for small milestones or satisfying a fried potato craving. They could be debating the finer points of modern slang, lovingly harassing their siblings or doing whatever else people do in the confines of a car on the way to get a fast…
When two agencies pitch a similar idea, how does a brand handle it? What about three agencies? Oh and also, what if the idea is really, really weird and potentially toxic for your brand? While many marketers likely would pit their vendors against each other in a high-stress competition to see who would come out…
Healthy food is finally getting some healthy competition. In a fun promotional stunt for Swedish opera house Folkoperan, agency McCann Stockholm asked local children to pick between two things they’d generally not prefer either of: opera or broccoli. About 30 kids got to choose between the two, with those who picked opera getting to go…
There are only two eras in advertising: Ads that came out before Burger King’s Moldy Whopper and ads that came out after Burger King’s Moldy Whopper. One moment, thin as a dagger’s edge, lies between the two–and we are living in it at this very instant. Today, Burger King unveiled a global ad campaign aimed…
When Norm Peterson walks into an establishment, he expects a certain level of recognition. But unlike at his beloved watering hole, Cheers, he finds himself struggling with anonymity when he enters a Domino’s. There’s a perfectly good reason for that, at least in the pizza chain’s new ad from agency CPB. Norm hasn’t used Domino’s…
If you were hoping someone would ask you “Do I smell chicken?” alongside “Where did you get your shoes?”, then Crocs finally has the footwear for you. In partnership with KFC, the brand is releasing two new, co-branded versions of its clogs–including one with removable, chicken-scented Jibbitz charms that look like drumsticks. The limited-edition, fried…
It was weird when, just a few years ago, fast food chain Carl’s Jr. really wanted you to have sex with a hamburger. But now it feels like the brand barely even wants you to get to first base. Today, Carl’s Jr. and sister brand Hardee’s unveiled their newest marketing campaign, and quite a few…
Yum Brands’ new CEO David Gibbs wasted no time in making a number of management changes at its key restaurant divisions Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Among the changes, KFC president Kevin Hochman will add interim president of Pizza Hut to his duties, while George Felix and David Graves will fill the roles of CMO…
The Kentucky Derby has the mint julep, but how many other events have a signature cocktail? Well now you can add the Westminster Dog Show to that short list. Ryan Reynolds today announced his spirits brand, Aviation Gin, is partnering with the dog show, for which his team has created a new drink: The Sensation….
Twenty years ago, Budweiser shouted its way into catchphrase history with “Whassup,” a simple but addictive spot about friends greeting each other. Frequently misremembered as a Super Bowl ad, the spot actually first aired during Monday Night Football in December 1999. It was inspired by a short film called “True,” written and directed by Charles…
How many brands could pull this off? McDonald’s, whose marketing has been tilting increasingly toward minimalism in its European advertising, has launched an outdoor campaign that’s both subtle and loaded with swagger. The ads from Leo Burnett London don’t mention the fast food brand by name, show its logo or include any pictures of the…
Have you ever found yourself at a party late in the evening with plans to meet a friend, only to have that friend flake out? Well, Coca-Cola wants you to know it feels your pain. During the Super Bowl this Sunday, the beverage giant will premiere an ad campaign for Coca-Cola Energy, starring actor Jonah…
The Wieden + Kennedy era of McDonald’s advertising has officially begun, but sadly you won’t see the fruits of the high-profile relationship during the Super Bowl itself. If you tune in early, however, you might catch the brand’s fun 30-second spot about “Famous Orders” when it airs before kickoff. The minimalist and pause-worthy pre-game ad…
Taco Bell doesn’t want its nacho fries to just be a seasonal product offering. It wants their semi-annual return to be an event. Since launching the product–Taco Bell’s first foray into fries-in 2018, the chain and creative agency Deutsch have produced fake movie trailers to promote them. Each one is highly believable in terms of…
The summer of seltzer is far from over, at least if Bud Light has anything to say about it. This year, Bud Light’s Super Bowl ad deviates from the beer brand and instead points people to the brand-new world of Bud Light Seltzer. Bud Light uses Post Malone in its 60-second spot, created by Wieden…
For his first on-camera commercial in over 40 years, Sam Elliott is starring alongside Lil Nas X in Doritos’ 60-second Super Bowl 54 spot. Elliott’s career began in the late ’60s and has been largely–but not completely–defined by the cowboy persona. His smooth baritone drawl has been heard in a wide range of ads for…
For all the benefits the invention of sliced bread has bestowed upon the world, there certainly seems to be a lot of new greatest things that have come since. This, essentially, is the premise of Little Caesars’ first Super Bowl spot, starring Rainn Wilson of The Office fame as the head of “Sliced Bread Inc.”…
Pringles released its full Rick and Morty-themed Super Bowl ad today, which packs about as much of the show’s dystopian charm into 30 seconds as possible. The ad opens with Rick and Summer sitting on the couch, watching a Pringles ad about “flavor stacking”, the snacking technique that the chip brand has been promoting during…
Working out isn’t always regarded as a fun and rewarding experience–and Michelob Ultra’s 60-second Super Bowl ad wants to change that mindset. Created by FCB, the spot, featuring Jimmy Fallon and John Cena, shows Fallon working out in a variety of settings with renowned athletes. It’s the brand’s fifth time in the Super Bowl and…
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