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Creative Advertising

– Woodland Critters Create Music Video in Apple’s Holiday Ad

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 27, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Cupertino, CA – November 26, 2025 – Apple is set to release a new holiday advertisement‍ on‌ Thanksgiving (November 27) featuring a group of woodland creatures who discover and utilize an iPhone 17 Pro ‍to create a music video. The ad, titled‍ “A Critter Carol,”⁢ was created by TBWAMedia Arts Lab and directed by Mark Molloy, and continues Apple’s celebrated “Shot on iPhone” campaign, now in ⁤its⁣ 10th year.

The commercial depicts a raccoon, bear, rat, owl,‍ deer, and squirrel finding an iPhone left behind by ‌a hiker ‍in a snowy forest. The animals then record their own rendition⁤ of Flight of the Conchords’ 2009 song “Friends,” with‌ lyrics playfully highlighting the ⁤unique bonds of friendship in⁣ the animal kingdom-including promises of “eating trash together” and “avenging your death.”⁢

While showcasing the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera features like Center stage‌ and Dual Capture, the ‍ad emphasizes handcrafted elements, including puppets created by Puppets Magic Studio and custom typography. This approach echoes Apple’s⁢ 2023 holiday ad, a stop-motion story centered on an office worker’s changing outlook of her boss.

The⁣ “Shot on iPhone” campaign recently received industry recognition, winning a Cannes Lions Grand Prix for creative Effectiveness. The hiker ultimately retrieves his phone, discovering the unexpected recording ‌left by the critter band.

November 27, 2025 0 comments

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American Eagle & Martha Stewart Team Up for Holiday Campaign

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 25, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

American Eagle unveils martha Stewart as Holiday Campaign Star, Targeting ⁤Broader Audience

NEW YORK – November 25, ‍2023 – American Eagle Outfitters is adding an unexpected ‌twist to its holiday marketing strategy with a collaboration featuring⁣ lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. The partnership, announced today, ⁤aims to broaden the ‍retailer’s ‍reach beyond⁣ its core Gen Z demographic while ⁤capitalizing on Stewart’s surging popularity across multiple generations.

The campaign will feature⁣ Stewart in denim and ‌other holiday apparel,appearing across social,digital,and connected TV channels. According to American Eagle CMO Craig Brommers, the move is a deliberate‍ effort to surprise audiences and position the⁢ brand’s jeans as a‌ top-of-mind⁢ gift choice‍ during the crucial Thanksgiving week shopping period.

“When‍ people ⁣think of an iconic holiday host, people think Martha Stewart,” brommers told ADWEEK. “This partnership ‌will be unexpected and make perfect sense simultaneously occurring.”

The collaboration builds on ⁢American Eagle’s existing holiday marketing push, which began in late September with the “AE Holiday ⁣House” campaign showcasing a multigenerational cast. It also aligns with the brand’s strategy of leveraging nostalgia ‍through recognizable characters, evidenced by previous holiday content featuring the Grinch and Snoopy.

Notably, Stewart’s appeal among Gen Z has grown significantly, increasing by 33% ‌between 2020 and 2024, now matching her recognition among Millennials, according to‌ an⁤ E-Poll survey. This growth is attributed, in part, to her active social media presence and recent Netflix documentary.

American Eagle’s recent high-profile collaborations ⁢with Sydney Sweeney and Travis Kelce have‍ drawn critically important attention to the ⁣brand’s campaigns. Brommers emphasized the importance of maintaining a strategic‌ intent behind these “plot twists,” ultimately aiming to reinforce American Eagle’s position as a ⁢provider of “great jeans, for everyone and anyone.”

The company plans ‌to continue “to take big swings at big moments” beyond the holiday season,seeking to ⁣define culture rather than⁤ simply participate in it.

November 25, 2025 0 comments

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Creative Ad Campaigns: Disney, KFC, Amazon & More

by Priya Shah – Business Editor November 14, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Ad Industry Highlights: Seven Campaigns Making Waves This Week

This week’s‌ standout advertising campaigns span heartwarming holiday ‌stories to bold brand collaborations and impactful social initiatives.Here⁣ are ⁣seven campaigns that ⁢captured attention:

Disney | “Make Someone’s Holiday⁤ Magic” by adam&eveDDB

Disney’s latest ad tells ‍the story of a girl⁢ and her doodle, brought to life by santa’s mistaken wish.The doodle ⁤receives a gift on ⁣Christmas morning,celebrating the power of holiday magic.

KFC x Stranger Things ⁤ 5 by Mother London

Ahead of the final Stranger Things season, ⁤KFC ⁤transforms into Hawkins Fried Chicken. The campaign ‍features a team ⁤delivering “finger lickin’ good” chicken amidst supernatural chaos and military blockades.

Amazon | “Five Star Theater”

Benedict Cumberbatch stars ‍in ⁢the second installment of Amazon’s “Five star Theater” campaign,following Adam Driver. Cumberbatch dramatically reads real, absurd customer reviews.

Waitrose | “The Perfect Gift” by Wonderhood Studios

British supermarket Waitrose’s holiday romcom features actor⁢ Joe Wilkinson as ⁤Phil, a widower whose dream of dating Keira Knightley ‍unexpectedly comes true.

Fuck Cancer | “The Mark of Life” by Mischief @ No Fixed Address

Nonprofit Fuck ⁤Cancer and ⁣Mischief are ⁤offering cancer survivors free ⁢custom tattoos,designed by renowned artists,to transform radiation therapy marks into personal artwork.

Mr. Submarine | 50th Anniversary by Quality Meats

Chicago-based sandwich chain ⁢Mr. Submarine is celebrating⁣ its 50th anniversary with 50 new ads, reviving its ’80s ‌jingle ⁢and remaking old commercials with local actors and AI.

Mando ⁤| ”Don’t Mask It, Mando It” by Mirimar

Men’s deodorant brand Mando ⁣introduces “Mando Man,” a ‍hero focused on fixing body odor rather than simply covering ⁣it up.

November 14, 2025 0 comments

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TransPerfect Revives The Mill: Studios Reopen Across Europe and Asia

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 28, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

TransPerfect Acquires The Mill‘s International Assets, Revitalizing VFX studio

Following the collapse of Technicolor, TransPerfect has acquired⁣ the assets of ⁣The Mill ‌outside⁤ of the United States, securing ‌the ⁢future of the acclaimed visual effects and production studio. The acquisition⁤ provides TransPerfect with ‍a comprehensive creative solution, spanning ideation, production,⁢ and ⁤delivery on a global scale.

The ‍Mill, founded in⁢ London in 1990, rose ⁣to prominence ⁣as a leading VFX studio, delivering award-winning work for brands like Coca-Cola‌ and Nike, and contributing to blockbuster films including Gladiator (for which it won an Academy Award) and the first two Harry‍ Potter movies. ⁣Technicolor purchased⁢ The Mill in 2015, integrating it into a portfolio alongside MPC, Mikros Animation, ⁣and Technicolor Games.

However, financial difficulties exacerbated by the pandemic and Hollywood strikes‍ led Technicolor to seek a sale in 2024,⁢ ultimately‍ failing to find a buyer ⁣for the entire ⁣company.The sudden shutdown⁤ in February resulted in an estimated⁤ 6,000 job ⁤losses worldwide.

“Owning The Mill gives TransPerfect ⁤a ⁣unique global capability: a ⁤solution ⁤that spans from ideation to production to delivery,” saeid Phil Wass,‍ TransPerfect’s‌ executive director of strategic initiatives. ⁤”We’re having them focus ⁣on what thay do best-creative-and we do the rest.”

TransPerfect intends‍ to integrate artificial intelligence into The Mill’s workflows, emphasizing a balance between AI and human creativity. “AI⁢ will ‌have a presence in every part of our workflow,” Wass ⁤stated. “But AI on its own cannot work. We’re very excited to⁢ have both an AI capability ‌and human capability.”

Liz Shawe, TransPerfect’s COO, affirmed ⁣the company’s⁤ commitment to preserving The Mill’s workforce.‍ “We ‌didn’t purchase The Mill with the intent to merge it with other companies and lay⁣ off people,” Shawe said. “We acquired The Mill‌ to keep ⁤people at the center and bring technology,support,and global scale to the business.”

In the wake of Technicolor’s closure, former⁢ U.S. leadership from ‍The ⁤Mill established⁤ Arc ⁤Creative in February,‍ onboarding nearly 100 of the studio’s 350 U.S.-based employees. Additionally, Vancouver’s Thinkingbox hired 30 former U.S. Mill staffers in April.

October 28, 2025 0 comments

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Walmart’s Whoville Holiday Campaign: Stress-Free Shopping for a Chaotic Season

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 27, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Walmart Launches Holiday Campaign Inspired by ‘How the ⁤Grinch stole Christmas’

NEW YORK – Oct. 26, 2025 ‌ – Walmart is⁤ kicking ⁤off its⁤ 2025 holiday marketing with⁢ a campaign centered around a Whoville-inspired aesthetic, aiming to capture‍ the joyful chaos of the‍ season and position itself as a destination‌ for stress-free shopping. The retailer’s strategy marks a‍ shift‌ toward a unified seasonal concept,building ⁢on previous successful holiday ads featuring popular intellectual property.

This year’s effort is a departure from past ⁣campaigns like the 2023 Mean Girls reunion and the 2022 Office Space spot, which were components of‍ broader, less-connected⁣ initiatives. Walmart is betting that a central theme ‍throughout the holiday season will boost engagement, relatability, and cultural conversation. ‍The launch coincides with Target‘s own holiday ad release, occurring during a critical sales period for both retailers. However, Walmart currently holds a stronger market position; its shares have risen approximately 123% over the last five years, while Target’s have fallen 65% since late 2021, ⁤with ⁢Target anticipating corporate layoffs of‍ 8% this week.

Walmart has a history of leveraging entertainment and nostalgia in its holiday advertising. Last ‍year, the company ran a 10-part series spoofing various film genres, including soap operas and action movies. “We’re leaning into IP that people know and ‍doing it with a fun, modern take,”⁢ said Walmart’s marketing executive, White.

The decision to maintain a central⁤ idea throughout the season was deliberate. “Keeping a central idea ⁢throughout the season was meaningful,” White added. “We know it ⁢drives interest, relatability, and cultural conversation.”

Walmart’s Q2 revenue rose 4.8%‍ to $177.4 ‌billion,with⁢ global ecommerce sales⁢ increasing by 25%.

October 27, 2025 0 comments

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Columbia Sportswear “Engineered for Whatever” Campaign Review

by Priya Shah – Business Editor October 1, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

Columbia Sportswear Launches bold, Humorous Campaign, “Engineered ‌for Whatever”

NEW YORK – October 1, 2025 – Columbia Sportswear today unveiled “Engineered ⁢for Whatever,” a new advertising campaign from adam&eveDDB that breaks from the ⁢traditionally stoic ‌tone of the outdoor apparel industry with a dose of irreverence and chaotic energy. The campaign, already generating buzz, aims to reconnect with‍ the brand’s heritage of bold humor while showcasing the durability of its products.

The work distinguishes itself in ⁤a market⁢ frequently ⁢enough characterized by earnest messaging focused on ‍peak performance and rugged resilience. Columbia is opting for a more assertive approach, demonstrating product capabilities through deliberately over-the-top and absurd scenarios – including imagery evoking tests “in space” and involving livestock.

This⁣ strategy represents a return to the brand’s “Tough Mother”⁤ DNA from the 1980s ⁤and 90s, but with a modern evolution. The campaign pairs smartly engineered products with storytelling that avoids taking itself too seriously. Durability demonstrations are presented as both product proof and “fever dreams,”‌ maintaining credibility while entertaining viewers.

Visually, the campaign is described as “unpolished” and “purposefully messy,” a deliberate choice to‌ project confidence and fun. Columbia is intentionally eschewing conventional “cool” aesthetics within the outdoors category, a ‍move that analysts suggest ironically enhances its appeal.

“Engineered‌ for Whatever” is positioned not merely⁢ as a tagline, but as a core mission statement embodying the brand’s ⁢playful spirit. The campaign has received a positive initial reception, earning a 4 ‌out of 5 rating from industry observers who anticipate further unconventional ‍creative directions from Columbia.

October 1, 2025 0 comments

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