The 79 Percent Rule: Why Honest Brands Win
The article argues that honest, transparent branding outperforms polished messaging, citing a 2025 BBB study where 79% of U.S. consumers trust authentic reviews. It details Big Spaceship’s brutally honest rebrand after a confusing name change, which generated two million impressions and new client wins. The piece also highlights similar honesty‑driven campaigns from Coinbase, Glossier, and Astronomer, showing how candid communication can turn crises into marketing wins.
Making the Cut: Editor Chad Sipkin on Sofia Coppola’s New Fashion Doc
Sofia Coppola’s debut documentary, Marc by Sofia, follows designer Marc Jacobs as he prepares his fall‑winter 2024 collection, while editor Chad Sipkin shapes the film into an abstract, collage‑like meditation on creativity. The project stems from a 25‑year partnership that began with a White Stripes music video,...
How a Jeep Cherokee Hybrid Made Stunning Wildlife Photos
Publicis Canada’s “The Silent Edition” campaign pairs the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid with conservation photographer Patricia Homonylo to capture authentic wildlife shots in Ontario’s Muskoka region. The hybrid’s quiet electric drivetrain allowed the crew to approach animals without disturbance, resulting...
Keegan-Michael Key Hypes Casamigos, Plus Other Great World Cup Campaigns
Ads of the World highlights a wave of FIFA World Cup‑related brand activations, headlined by Casamigos featuring Keegan‑Michael Key and its new pre‑mixed margaritas. Other notable campaigns include Flamin’ Hot’s humor‑driven Mexican tribute, Rexona’s 90‑second film linking sweat‑proof technology to...
What World Cup Advertisers Can Learn From the Super Bowl and Olympics
The piece extracts advertising playbooks from the Super Bowl to guide brands entering the World Cup and Olympics. Testing of more than 600 Super Bowl spots shows that emotionally‑driven, purpose‑first creative outperforms pure media weight. Brands are urged to craft...
Ahmed Diabate of Duetti on Putting Capital in Artists’ Hands
Ahmed Diabate, senior A&R executive at Duetti, has funneled more than $20 million into music‑rights deals and catalog management for artists including Mario, UnoTheActivist and IDK. He helped create hip‑hop’s first 3D immersive website for Travis Scott’s *Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight*,...
What Entertainment Brands Can Learn From the WNBA
The WNBA has been crowned the fastest‑growing brand in the United States and will expand from 13 to 18 teams by 2030. Its success stems from a league‑first branding platform, “Welcome to the W,” that elevates the collective over any...
Vibe Coding: The Rise of the Creator-Builder
Vibe coding has emerged as a new creator class that lets brands build and operate utility‑focused products. The market is estimated at $4.7 billion, with 87% of Fortune 500 firms using at least one platform, and Lovable sees 200,000 new projects daily....
How the TheRealReal and Team One Made an AI Mini-Epic
The RealReal teamed with advertising agency Team One to create “L’ultimo Uomo Reale,” a short AI‑driven film that explores authenticity in a world of hyper‑real digital content. Directed by Sebastian Strasser, the piece mixes AI‑generated visuals, VFX, and CGI with...
These Absurd, Eye-Catching Ads From The Zebra Expertly Fuse AI and Live Action
The Zebra’s latest ad campaign, directed by Zack Seckler, pairs absurd, humor‑driven concepts with cutting‑edge AI and practical effects. Four spots—Jungle Rotisserie, Falcon Ride, Mountain Biker, and Window Washer—use custom rigs, stunt talent, and Unreal Engine‑generated environments to create hyper‑real...
David Melhado of Jive Records: Brands Need to Find Artists Before Their ‘Tipping-Point’ Moment
David Melhado, co‑president of Jive Records and former UnitedMasters executive, advises brands to seek authentic partnerships with musicians before they reach a tipping‑point moment. He stresses that genuine alignment, not just financial incentives, creates campaigns that resonate with audiences. Melhado...
Joe Weir and Mark Williams of That Thing on Refreshing the Abbey Road Studios Brand
London‑based brand studio That Thing, led by co‑founders Joe Weir and Mark Williams, completed a full rebrand of Abbey Road Studios, blending the studio’s historic legacy with a contemporary visual language. The refresh aims to attract younger creators and broader...
Athina Afton Lallijee of McCann on Great Creative Springing From Unlikely Situations
McCann Canada’s creative director Athina Afton Lallijee shares how her multicultural upbringing and optimism drive her work, from low‑budget Lego campaigns to socially‑focused Kids Help Phone spots. She credits diverse experiences, mentorship, and a belief that great ideas can emerge...
Mekale Jackson of Under Armour: Trust the Culture and Let the Story Lead
Mekale Jackson, senior director of global social media strategy at Under Armour, leverages his 18‑year sports‑marketing background to fuse culture and storytelling across the brand’s product lines. Recent initiatives such as the Gunna x Under Armour Wunna Run 5K series and the episodic “Full...
StoryCo Host on the Enduring Power of Narratives
James Kirkham, cultural futurist and ICONIC founder, launched the StoryCo podcast to explore why storytelling outlasts any technology. He argues that while AI can churn endless content, only narratives resonate and drive human behavior. The series examines storytelling’s roots in...