advertising17.97 min read
Megan Fox Stars as 'Ro Sparks' in Bold Campaign to Normalize Erectile Dysfunction
9 days ago•Source: Variety
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125.55 min•2 months ago
Inside the billboard: brands chase viral buzz with real people
Brands are turning billboards into immersive stunts by embedding real people, a tactic Netflix recently used for its The Last House campaign (a man was shown inside the billboard), joining a growing trend that includes Love Holidays’ ex-rugby player stunt. While such vivid, on-brand executions can spark social virality, they risk becoming an overused gimmick if brands chase quick buzz without authentic context.
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Cannes Lions 2026: Creativity Strikes Back as the Creator Economy Rises
Business Insider•3 months ago
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Super Bowl ads swing between brilliance and cringe, with AI hype and celebrity shine
latimes.com•8 months ago
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Joyful Chaos: Super Bowl Ads Chase Fun Over Frowns
Variety reports that this year’s Super Bowl spots largely avoided heavy, divisive messaging in favor of humor, nostalgia, and surreal moments. AI brands joined the mix with lighthearted, self-aware spots (e.g., Amazon’s Alexa sketch and Anthropic’s jab at OpenAI), while commercials leaned on celebrity cameos, covers, and feel-good narratives. Some ads did tackle bigger themes (such as Rocket Mortgage/Redfin’s dog-reunion story), but the overall tone was geared toward levity and escapism, with industry voices cautioning that the era of “hit the celebrity or song” ads isn’t dead yet—and experimentation remains a challenge for achieving a standout hit.
Lay's Generational Farm Story Steals the Spotlight in Super Bowl Ad
Lay's is winning praise for a heartwarming Super Bowl commercial that follows a father-daughter duo passing down generations of potato-farming knowledge, with a puppy cameo, highlighting the family-owned farms behind Lay's as the younger generation prepares to take the reins.
Coinbase Goes Lo-Fi Karaoke for Super Bowl Ad, Aiming to Make Crypto Relatable
Coinbase returns to the Super Bowl with a spare 60-second lo-fi spot that plays like a bar karaoke screen, featuring minimalist animation and lyrics from the Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” Executives say the restrained, no-frills approach is designed to stand out amid celebrity-filled ads, create a communal singalong moment, and show that crypto can appeal beyond techies, hoping viewers will look up crypto after the spot.
Brand Clash on Super Bowl LX: The Ads Making Headlines
Super Bowl LX ads are a high-stakes mix of humor, celebrities, and social messages as CMOs chase ROI in a cautious climate; highlights include Hims & Hers tackling healthcare inequality with a 'Rich People Live Longer' spot, William Shatner as 'Will Shat' in Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Pepsi's polar-bear parody directed by Taika Waititi, along with notable spots from Bud Light, Squarespace, Dove, Pringles, Instacart, Fanatics Sportsbook, Novartis, Xfinity, Bosch, Redfin x Rocket Mortgage, TurboTax, Uber Eats, Oakley Meta, Amazon Alexa, Claude (Anthropic), and more.
Early Look at 2026 Super Bowl Ads: Star-Studded, Record-Price Spots
The article previews the 2026 Super Bowl LX commercial lineup that has already been released, spotlighting a star-studded slate from Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Fanatics Sportsbook, Instacart, Budweiser, Pepsi, Uber Eats, Oikos, Hims & Hers, Pringles, Squarespace, Grubhub, Google Gemini, Lay’s and more—highlighting teaser campaigns and noting that 30-second spots are selling for around $10 million.
AI Takes Herding Spotlight as Early 2026 Super Bowl Ads Roll Out
The New York Times critic Mike Hale offers an early pregame ranking of this year’s Super Bowl commercials, noting a surge of AI‑themed ads (at least 10) that aim to reassure rather than scare audiences. The piece hints at specific spots, including a George Clooney–Grubhub ad directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and explains that the full ranking will be published after the game. The approach contrasts with emotion‑meter lists, emphasizing small, nonthreatening AI promises and overall trends rather than definitive final picks.
2026 Super Bowl Ads Spark Laughs and Nostalgia in a Star-Studded Roundup
A running ranking and commentary on the 2026 Super Bowl ads, highlighting standout spots (Novartis Relax Your Tight End; Raisin Bran: Will Shat; Hellmann’s: Sweet Sandwich Time; Instacart: For Papa! with Ben Stiller) and noting trends like humor, nostalgia, and celebrity cameos, while skipping non-funny car/banking ads and movie trailers; the piece updates during the game with top hits, notable misses, and teasers for ads to come.
Budweiser’s 150th Super Bowl ad pulls at viewers’ heartstrings with a horse-and-eagle moment
Budweiser released its 150th Super Bowl advert, featuring a young Clydesdale and a bald eagle whose playful moment culminates in the bird appearing to become wings on the horse, set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” The commercial ends with the slogan “Made of America” and “For 150 Years, This Bud’s For You.” Viewers on YouTube praised the spot for its beauty and patriotism, with many crying at the emotional, family-friendly imagery.
Budweiser Unites Clydesdales and Bald Eagle in 150th Anniversary Super Bowl Ad
Budweiser marks its 150th anniversary and America's 250th birthday with a 60-second Super Bowl LX spot that pairs a young Clydesdale pony with a baby bald eagle, set to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" as the pair grow up together, continuing the brand's tradition of tying its iconic horses to national mood and history.
French Supermarket's Vegetarian Wolf Christmas Ad Goes Viral Worldwide
A French supermarket's Christmas ad, 'Unloved,' tells the heartfelt story of a lonely wolf who learns to cook and finds acceptance, resonating globally for its authentic, handcrafted animation and emotional depth, contrasting with AI-generated content and highlighting the power of human storytelling.