Best of Brand & Advertising this week - Emmy's, Gen-Z Stare, Publicis vs Omnicom, Timothée Chalamet + Canada
TL;DR Recap: Emmy’s commercial nominees, Gen-Z stare, Publicis + Omnicom earnings, Canada invites Stressed Americans and the usual....
This week’s newsletter is sponsored by our friends at Tracksuit, who’ve got a playbook to help marketers land brand investment and win over Gen-Z.
Brand & Advertising coverage from 06.07 — 19.07.2025.
Publicis Groupe upgrades FY organic growth forecast to 5% after record run of new business wins.
Yes, Gen Z is staring at you. The question is why.
Emmy’s Outstanding Commercial Nominees: Batman Vs. Bateman - State Farm, The Boy & The Octopus - The Walt Disney Company, Brian Cox Goes To College - Uber One, Flock - Apple Privacy + Heartstrings - Apple AirPods Pro and So Win. - Nike.
Omnicom posts lower earnings amid Interpublic acquisition.
Ad agency WPP asked to work on campaign nudging UK savers to invest in shares.
ASA bans Viva!’s ‘Dairy is Scary’ ad, sparking controversy over censorship.
Valentino Owner denies plan to sell Italian Fashion Brand.
Sydney Sweeney is reportedly launching a lingerie brand, with backing from Bezos-linked investor.
Liquid Death expands into energy drinks, easy on the octane.
LVMH’s Loro Piana placed under court administration over alleged worker exploitation.
David ventures beyond protein bars to offer a new source of protein, raw frozen cod.
NBCU's Super Bowl Ads now going for $8 Million.
Breakup rumors at Kraft Heinz prompt speculation Berkshire Hathaway may be selling its stake.
Is Stephen Colbert’s ouster really just a ‘Financial Decision’?
Substack raises $100 Million from Chernin Group, BOND, Skims CEO and more.
Del Monte bankruptcy a harbinger as consumers flock to store brands/private labels.
Netflix execs say ad sales revenue is set to double this year.
The visual recap from last week is live now on Instagram.
Call me financially literate: Timothée Chalamet collabs with Cash App.
A viral ad campaign from the Eastern Townships Tourism Association has a message for American travelers hoping to come to Canada.
McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes sets the record straight on biscuit debate. (OOH)
This anti-vaping campaign turns toy culture into a health warning.
Axe and Lola MullenLowe launch new shower gel kine and humorous campaign “The Neighbour”.
Unilever debuts AI-driven design unit to wean brands off TV-first model.
KFC leans into original recipe with Colonel Sanders for its comeback era.
Nathan’s Famous found a hot dog hidden in NYC’s redesigned subway map.
Jeremy Clarkson slams 'fun police' as first Hawkstone beer advert 'banned'.
HOKA unveils 2025 Global Brand Campaign: Together We Fly Higher.
Apple blends folklore and gaming in ‘Shot on iPhone’ film for Mexico.
Samuel L. Jackson narrates Adidas Originals' star-studded 'Superstar' ad campaign.
Cycling heritage brand Selle Royal celebrates the Stracciatella saddle launch with this 56-second stopmotion music video.
Range Rover unveils new logo with a radically different look.
Mercedes-Benz USA announces Lucy Liu as Official Brand Voice.
Wimbledon: Nike, GUCCI, Iga emulates her idol and more.
Americans had $312 billion in unused vacation days last year. Yogurt brand Siggi's is offering people $5000 to use their PTO.
Nuii launches £14m larger-than-life 200ft outdoor campaign.
Income Insurance's Max the Stress Ball is back and more unhinged than ever.
SKYLRK by Justin Bieber sells out at launch.
Mike’s Hot Honey launches first campaign to celebrate drizzlers and cult fandom.
Tesco Mobile aims to decode online language in new BBH campaign.
It’s about damn time. Happy Gilmore is back and brands came to play.
Via Carota papered the West Village with geometric representations of cocktails.
Alzheimer’s campaign buffers to show heartbreak of memory loss.
Don’t Try This At Home: Heart of the City reminds Aucklanders to leave the house this Restaurant Month in new campaign.
In “R0B0+,” Canal+ and BETC Paris take an AI-powered robot and set it, comfortably and in high style, in front of a TV.
Hiscox shocks by sending wine-stained mailer to customers.
Thai supermarket introduces rain-activated coupons for monsoon season.
Ocado unveils ‘Shopping List Stories’ to showcase everyday moments.
Patrón challenges additive censorship in new ads.
SNL Star Martin Herlihy’s ad campaign for Apple TV+ quietly taken down under mysterious circumstances.
Crocs teams up with Touchland for a "charming" new way to decorate your hand sanitizer.
The General turns to Fortnite to help anxious Gen Z drivers.
Muzza’s launched Cat-Flavoured Dog Pies — a cheeky treat packed with rabbit and fish to taste like cat (without using any actual feline).
Pure Leaf vending machine trades iced tea for 10 minutes offline.
Nike and Dutch Lionesses unveil ‘Oranje Fatalis’ – A Tulip with Thorns.
L’Oréal-backed inclusive beauty brand Ami Colé announces closure.
Why the end of Ami Colé is devastating?
Nicole Kidman, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Claudia Schiffer and more star in Balenciaga’s Winter 2025 Campaign.
The Point is the Point in new Dynamic Points campaign from Central The 1.
Burberry sees ‘uptick in brand desirability’ but says turnaround is still in early stages.
Rosalía brings her Motomami edge to New Balance's cinematic 204L campaign.
Loro Piana opens doors to Jean Cocteau’s House on the French Riviera for Fall 2025 ad campaign.
Emma Stone and Hoyeon redefine adventure in Louis Vuitton’s latest campaign.
Broadway star Billy Porter debuts inclusive brand Black Mona Lisa Beauty.
New Men’s Skincare Brand Dividends targets Equinox-going guys with longevity goals.
Pacsun spotlights mall culture for denim campaign targeting Gen Z.
Olay hails 'Hello Better Me' in new brand platform.
method, the personal care brand sponsors the Bad Bunny No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí Residency, transforming bathroom moments into unexpected experiences.
Rihanna is officially fashion’s coolest mom.
Madhappy and Beats by Dre are throwing a weekend party with themed drinks and prizes.
Hailey Bieber’s Rhode & Magnum escape to a European Beach Club for the Summer.
Amelia Dimoldenberg’s new Peachy Den collab is your shortcut to an It-Girl Summer.
Creators share their own ‘As Worn By Us’ stories in new Bonds campaign.
Why Mowalola x Marc Jacobs feels so right?
For minimalist beauty brand, Merit, Lauren Graham walks followers through her everyday makeup routine, GRWM.
Giorgio Armani and Kith reunite for a summer-ready capsule and an aesthetic dinner inside a marble quarry in Italy.
adidas unveils immersive HBE exhibition curated by Rog & Bee Walker.
Schwarzkopf unveils Lindsay Lohan as newest brand ambassador.
Uniqlo profits dip amid global shift to summer clothes.
LANEIGE launches Rainbow Sherbet Lip Mask in collaboration with Baskin-Robbins.
Mark Wahlberg’s apparel brand Municipal aims to create ‘a Muniverse’ of stores, cafes and gyms.
Magnolia Bakery collaborates with Glossier on limited-edition balm.
Glossier is joining TikTok Shop.
OnlyFans Creator Ari Kytsya stars in Urban Decay’s “Battle the Bland” campaign.
Pantene introduces new campaign with Ambassador Kelsea Ballerini.
Puma collaborates with Dame Après Paris, Spanish Fashion Brand.
Lynx taps Pete Wicks, Joe Weller & Chloe Burrows for new ad.
Ugg partnered with Gray’s Papaya to serve Hot Dogs and limited-edition Clogs on Fourth of July.
Cameron Diaz collabs with Stella McCartney on Avaline Wine Bottle.
Bread Beauty Supply declares Cereal Milk Summer.
Oakley has launched a new campaign titled 'Artifacts from the Future', featuring Indian Cricketer Shubman Gill.
(🪑 Sponsor Break)
Tracksuit: The Brands Winning and Losing Gen Z in 2025.
According to new Tracksuit data presented in partnership with Adweek, it’s clear some brands have excelled at capturing Gen Z’s dollars, while others have a lot of catching up to do.
So, as we approach the midpoint of 2025, which brands are cashing in on Gen Z, and what can your brand learn from their playbook? Let’s dive in.
Plush Toy/Labubu Mania meets high fashion with the all new LV Bag Charms.
Missoni x Malfy return with a design-led summer collab that turns gin into a lifestyle object.
Urban Outfitters partners with HGTV to give Gen Z the dorm of their dreams.
Prada brings “days of summer” to Capri.
Alex Consani and JT just dropped their very own MAC lip combos.
Rare Beauty launches a rebellious Spring Breakers-themed campaign, expanding its palette of lip products with a line of translucent gloss.
Aéropostale launches Back-to-School Capsule designed by Gen Z Creator Demetra Dias.
The Declan Rice, limited-edition Müller Rice flavour: Raspberry & White Chocolate, hand-picked by England footballer Declan Rice.
Mindy the meathead packs a protein snack punch for Yumbo’s new campaign.
Sprite leans into Gen Z’s love for spicy flavors with global campaign.
Olipop’s ‘Soda Stories’ pours on the nostalgia as the modern soda battlefield shifts.
Miller High Life drops summer treat: Spaghett-sicle.
Cheetos comes back to Indonesia with a mischievous campaign by Leo.
Youfoodz spotlights ready-to-eat meals in first work from Saatchi & Saatchi.
Mountain Dew drops gorpcore-inspired ‘Dew Drip’ capsule with streetwear label PYRA.
Bud Light offers alternate “armchair” take on Netflix’s “Quarterback” series.
Jacob's kicks it up a notch with Frank's RedHot collab.
Belvoir Farm’s OOH campaign champions the soft drinks brands uncompromising approach to flavour.
Humantra puts electrolytes centre stage in bold Boots store debut campaign.
Ferrero acquires US cereal maker Kellogg for $3.1 billion.
Heinz illustrates how its sauces can steal the spotlight during important moments in new campaign.
Powerade pushes new Xtra Sour line for summer.
Walkers launches ‘No Walkers, No Game’ new campaign ad for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Meridian unveils ‘bold new look’ for nut butters as it eyes growth.
MilkPep puts moms center stage with ‘Mom’s Show Must Go On’ campaign.
Surreal Rustlers ad shows burger creating ballroom in woman's mouth.
Ben’s Original launches ‘Keep It Original’ global campaign.
Ben's Original launches Single-Serve Cups and expands flavors in the Ben's Original™ Street Food line.
Costa Coffee updates RTD range to boost Gen-Z appeal.
310 Million reasons to smile: BBDO China and M&M’S light up Douyin with sweet results.
The Argentinian aperitif brand Fernet Branca launches new campaign celebrating the particular and unique ways camaraderie is practised in the country.
Coffee Mate launches ‘Harry Potter’ creamers.
Welch’s Fruit Snacks partners with Crayola to celebrate teachers in back-to-school season.
Coors Light puts Patrick Mahomes on Ice during NFL Offseason.
Tony's Chocolonely, Hot Take Dough partner on cookies.
Philadelphia and New York Bakery inspire the UK to build the perfect brunch bagel.
Pipers Crisps cheekily calls out Waitrose in guerilla OOH activation.
Hummus brand Little Sesame closes $8.5m Series A funding round.
Lucozade turns tradies into trading card stars in new ad.
Diageo decries 'baseless' tequila purity allegations as US lawsuits mount.
Walmart challenges consumer perceptions with ‘Who Knew?’ campaign.
MassiveMusic Warsaw composes IKEA Poland’s first sonic branding suite.
Director Martin Werner and Courage team on a finger lickin’ Good KFC Canada Spot, with an apology to table manners.
Tombras' first work for Arby's debuted at a NASCAR race last weekend.
Cinnabon launches a trio of new sweet treats in collaboration with the Reese’s.
McDonald's celebrates taking fans on side missions in gamified campaign.
Swig proves the dirty soda experience is portable and fashionable.
Taco Bell targets Gen Z with Bad Birdie collab.
Chipotle to host first-of-its-kind listening party for Alex Warren’s new album.
Asda and Lucky Generals launch new price promise ad.
Waitrose & Partners skewers summer campaign with kebab special builds.
Zaxbys introduces new lemon pepper flavor with Hip Hop star Quavo.
KFC Spain launches the first-ever toothpaste-inspired ice cream this summer.
7-Eleven offered 'Tongue-toos' for Slurpee Day.
Mykonos parties hard and Domino’s delivers harder in wild campaign.
Papa Johns launches the Pizza-inspired Cocktail of the Summer.
McDonald’s Canada reimagines Calgary Stampede style as cuisine.
Wieden+Kennedy sticks Sauce Lids to wall for McDonald's Australia.
Snoop Dogg teams up with Raising Cane's for 'National Chicken Finger Day' ad campaign.
Carl’s Jr. taps Alix Earle again to promote a new burger.
Kai Cenat reveals Nando’s location inside Texas Mansion.
Taco Bell teams up with Tony Hawk on new menu item and tests new luxe value menu.
Starbucks’s new Secret Menu is a perfect strategy to tap TikTok.
Chipotle and Wonderskin bring back their ‘Lipotle’ lip stain.
Walgreens shareholders approve $10 billion private equity buyout.
Ulta Beauty acquires Space NK.
Reckitt agrees $4.8bn sale of Essential Home business.
Claire’s evaluates Chapter 11 filing as part of restructuring its U.S. operations.
Ron Swanson helps jump-start big new EV push, a $43.5 million campaign that touts EVs' benefits.
Apple taps global artists to reimagine photography through illustration.
In new campaign for iPhone’s clean-up feature, The cat stays in the picture.
‘It’s a long way to the shop’: Mitsubishi launches new Outlander campaign via Richards Rose.
Uber Eats gives the British Meal Deal a gourmet makeover.
Gatorade launches “Let Her Cook” campaign honouring WNBA legends and stars.
Volvo celebrates 65 years of the car brand's commitment to safety, and patent-free three-point seatbelt.
Samsung UK launches Unmissable Moments, a new campaign to support the release of the Galaxy Q7.
Comic Skoda ad shows neighbours casting judgment on electric car-owning family.
Benson Boone and JBL get ‘Mystical Magical’ in summer campaign.
Juniper launches new ‘Don’t Weigh In On My Weight’ campaign to tackle stigma.
Wyndham, Grubhub partner on food delivery to 6K hotels.
Samsung’s latest mixed reality campaign with Cheil India lets readers speak to a print ad.
Amazon shows up to ‘Save the Everyday’ in genre-crossing campaign.
A new campaign for Mo.co, Supercell’s latest IP, centers on three POV-style short films, each styled as a startup pitch from inside the mo.co universe.
Snapdeal turns heads with new campaign ‘Nazar Atak Jaaye'.
Paddletek ad crushes the cliché that pickleball is ‘not a real sport’.
INEOS Grenadier tells Jaguar Landrover ‘Let’s Take This Outside’.
Isuzu unveils a new range of vehicles in its latest campaign with ad agency Fenton Stephens, featuring actor Shane Jacobson.
BETC Paris, Strava launch the 'CatRace' at Paris Fashion Week
Superconductor campaign launches Rotten Tomatoes app with a “splat.”
Cazoo and Fold7 launch new animated brand world campaign.
Forget the food: Zomato's latest campaign is all about the grind and being Nike.
Innocean Berlin and Hankook launch bold, honest new tire campaign.
Esim company Airalo explores roaming charge regret in this outdoor campaign.
Deutsche Telekom warns of digital doppelgangers in bold INGO campaign.
Sky Sports drops hilarious mockumentary ahead of British & Irish Lions' first Test against Australia.
LG launches “Radio Optimism” project to spread its “Life’s Good” message through music.
Dentsu Thailand and Honda champion child road safety in new campaign.
Greater Anglia ad reframes train travel as antidote to London life.
Pet Circle partners up with Warner Bros. and DC Studios for new Superman brand campaign.
Switzerland Tourism creates miniature hotels for bees.
PETA links eating meat to worsening wildfires in grim cinema ad.
Rexona launches whole-body deodorant with humorous campaign.
Inside Mat Baxter, Mark Britt & Karima Asaad’s vision & visuals For ‘Punk’ Healthcare.
A new campaign for NeoConnessi takes a cinematic approach to explaining the potential travails parents face when it comes to helping guide their kids in a digitally enabled world.
Impero & BUILDHOLLYWOOD call on businesses to tackle UK child food poverty.
Chromista and Zillow spotlight the Baxter Building from Marvel's "Fantastic Four: First Steps".
Rail Delivery Group reframes train travel as time well spent, highlighting emotional connections and everyday moments.
Havas Play turns Twitch gamers into an army of fire watchdogs.
Cannabis Brand Miss Grass drops cinematic ads with all the vibes.
Fold7 unveils OOH campaign for GetYourGuide to encourage Londoners to experience the world.
Royal Mail unveils star-studded new campaign for parcel service.
Irish Road Safety campaign confronts the rising social acceptance of drink driving.
Aussie redefines iconic brand with new creative platform and national campaign ‘Find. Buy. Own’.
Château Galoupet unveils an exceptional brand home and launches its latest cuvée.
Tourism Fiji gives Castaway’s Wilson happy ending fans always wanted.
A father learns to play wheelchair basketball so he can teach with his son in a heartwarming campaign from the Dominican Republic based bank.
Sleep Country launches ‘Sleep Daddy’ to reignite Canada’s relationship with sleep.
The Newtons Laboratory: The protective gear warning motorcycle riders didn’t expect.
WPP appoints Baiju Shah as Global CEO of AKQA.
Cannes Lions Statement: Cannes Lions introduces Global Integrity Standards.
Michael Farmer: how agency pay needs to change in the AI era – AI takes out 24% of current fees.
Admosis founder acquires stake in Willow & Blake.
Paramount Australia and Magnite partner to offer programmatic access to Paramount+ inventory.
‘Production is a big topic right now’: With AI moving beyond media, Publicis turns toward creative.
Omnicom and Interpublic secure Australian antitrust approval, edge closer to mega-merger.
WPP Open hires ex-Omnicom Matt McNeany as president.
Yango Ads introduces new monetisation tools for mobile app developers.
BETC launches Maison BETC, a Global Micro-Network for Luxury Brands.
Narrative Entertainment picks Elizabeth Anyaegbuna to lead new indie TV ad sales house.
Modern Citizens' advertising division goes into liquidation.
Cheil hires SPCSHP’s CCO to lead creative for North America.
Ad agency FlyteVu acquired by Driftwood Music Group.
Mischief launches AI-powered production studio for industry’s “Unprecedented Transformation”.
Cheil North America launches Media Agency Attention Arc.
Stagwell launches AI-driven media platform for global client solutions.
Nielsen launches CTV adspend data in UK.
BETC launches Maison BETC, a global micro-network for luxury brands.
Stagwell wins Heaven Hill Spirits' integrated account.
Sushi Sushi appoints iD Collective as new strategic communications agency.
Poppi seeking creative agency as PepsiCo era begins.
Twisted Healthy Treats appoints TRP as full-service agency following a competitive pitch.
Grubhub names Walrus Creative Agency.
Haleon launches global creative agency review.
Tuborg appoints Lowe Lintas as Creative Agency for India.
McDonald’s adds Translation to its agency roster.
DDB Sydney wins TKMaxx’s creative account.
Mandarin Oriental names OK COOL global social AOR.
Liquor Legends recruits The Pistol to drive retail media strategy.
Tourism New Zealand appoints Ogilvy PR as new PR agency of record in Australia.
McCann named Strategic Brand & Creative Agency for Bobcat Company.
Sha Communications appointed comms agency of record for Salt Lab.
Krispy Kreme names Magnitude creative strategy and creative agency across Middle East.
Who Wot Why wins Ella’s Kitchen creative account.
Prime Storage names Generator Media as Media AOR.
PurposeBuilt Brands names Hanson Dodge agency partner for Weiman.
Woolworths Group’s Healthylife appoints Bread Agency as new social media agency of record.
CI&T wins Digital AOR Remit for Volkswagen Of America.
Atomic 212° nabs Tennis Australia's media account.
Legal & General switches media agency.
Guide Dogs appoints We Are Social to support new strategy and growth plans.
Horizon takes over media buying for Dave’s Hot Chicken after $1B sale.
PayNet appoints Chariot Agency to lead brand positioning.
KFC appoints We Are Social as social agency of record following a competitive pitch.
Ofwat seeks 'delivery body' to handle £75m water scarcity campaign.
VisitLEX retains Cornett as Agency of Record.
Cincinnati Children's selects Doner as Media AOR.
72andSunny Amsterdam wins Disaronno.
UNICEF Canada taps Diamond as AOR to advance Canadian fundraising efforts.
Back on Sunday. Until then…
Cash app is SG