Best of Brand & Advertising this week - Wimbledon aesthetics, gen-z drinks, agencies suffer & boycotts?!?
This Week: Best of Brands at Wimbledon, PFW and 4th of July, Gen-Z is drinking and buying homes again + ad agencies need another rebrand...
If this is your first time reading this newsletter: yes, the brand + agency news recaps are usually this long, and they're curated by a human, not an AI or content aggregator.
Brand & Advertising coverage from 22.06 — 04.07.2025.
US ad employment dropped in June for the seventh month in a row.
Prada: Luxury label acknowledges Indian roots of footwear design after backlash.
Ad agencies call for ‘tobacco-style’ ban on UK fossil fuel marketing.
Bite Back's award-winning anti-junk food advertising campaign has been blocked by JCDecaux and Global, sparking censorship claims from young activists.
Amazon is asking some advertisers to double their spend during Prime Day.
Inside The New York Times’ plan to double down on cooking videos.
Gen Z acquires taste for drinking as cost of living pressures ease.
Against the odds, Gen Z is breaking into the housing market.
UK: June box office grows 7% to cap a hot H1.
Kate Moss's Cosmoss brand shuts down after less than three years.
Rite Aid's Thrifty ice cream brand gets sold to a business entity linked to Monster Energy executives.
Del Monte Foods, 138-year-old grocery store staple files for bankruptcy.
Here’s how much advertising CEOs made in 2024.
Pop Mart’s Labubu craze supercharges TikTok Shop sales.
Miu Miu Summer Reads 2025 rewrites the urban summer.
What is Aura Farming? Indonesian boat kid goes international as Travis Kelce And Diego Luna hit the dance.
Why 90% of Dan Koe followers never make money. (read)
GAP is planning to launch a beauty line?
HQ Trivia meets Zillow: This live real estate game is giving away houses.
'Tiny Chef Show' “saved” after viral cancellation and fundraising efforts as creators confirm return.
A record-low 58% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely” (41%) or “very” (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020.
Tracee Ellis Ross’s Pattern debuts TV Commercial — with a twist.
Heineken launches mobile phone plan in Finland that encourages people to connect in real life.
Itsu introduces TikTok to Ronnie Pickering 10 years on from road rage rant.
Samuel L. Jackson opens new chapter for adidas Superstar sneakerline.
Shark Tank India's new ad roasts India's toxic corporate culture.
Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij relives first date in ad for Tinder.
Polaroid’s OOH ads celebrate the joy of real life in a world of digital overload and AI Slop.
BMW’s new campaign “Meet Okto the Octopus” uses visual storytelling to highlight power of the new Heart of Joy central control unit.
Milk can do (almost) anything in MilkPEP's anime campaign.
Apple releases Ratoh Jaroe video for Shot on iPhone campaign.
Paige Bueckers scores 'Dream Collaboration' by starring in new Levi's and Nike campaign.
Unilever to pay $1.5 billion for men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch.
INEOS Grenadier launches wholesome yet cheeky ad campaign aimed at their competitors and comfort.
M&S strawberry sandwich sparks VAT scrutiny despite viral success.
Superman soars 1,000ft over The Shard to promote Hollywood blockbuster.
Warner Bros invites fans to ‘Be Superman’ in movie murals.
Greenpeace uses OOH ad space to call out protest policing in the UK.
Nike Football unveils “SCARY GOOD,” a new, bold brand identity rooted in the brilliance of attacking football.
Clearly Canadian makes a star-powered return with first ad campaign in decades.
Will Ferrell is back for PayPal, this time to target UK audiences with ‘Summer of Cashback’ ad campaign.
Colin Jost co-wrote and stars in Blue Moon’s latest comic ads.
Apple pulls ad campaign fronted by SNL Star just one day after its debut.
Olipop hints at UK launch with trademark move.
Dunkin' and Sabrina Carpenter partner again to release a sweet new drink.
LinkedIn pushes its AI-powered job search in witty OOH campaign in NYC.
The list of brands leaning into patriotic advertising around July 4th holiday.
UPS, Coco Gauff and Emma Grede team up to help small businesses.
Behind Amtrak’s social-first marketing—the viral ‘Train-tacular’ post and what’s next.
On June 23rd, together with “Everyone Hates Elon”, Greenpeace took over Venice's Piazza San Marco with a 20-meter banner of billionaire Jeff Bezos: “If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax”.
HSBC celebrates 160 years with vibrant murals across Hong Kong’s 18 districts.
Poppi delights 'Love Island USA' fans by imagining 'Amaya Papaya' flavor.
‘The Evolution of Wiping,’ as told by Dude Wipes, is tough on Uranus.
Jason Kelce's Garage Beer is giving away a bed that hooks up to a kegerator.
Formalwear for a hotter world? Coors Light introduces Cold Tux and BrrrTie.
Wimbledon releases a video campaign with chain-reaction machine opening the gates to Wimbledon 2025.
Stella Artois makes its return to Wimbledon in White with David Beckham.
Audi wins Wimbledon OOH with this billboard.
Wales Bonner courts Wimbledon with Bose Audio collaboration.
Andy Murray serves up Walker’s shortbread treats to eager Wimbledon crowds.
Uber Eats UK’s cheeky + reactive marketing play for Wimbledon pays off?
Esquire UK and Harper’s Bazaar UK join forces with Range Rover for Wimbledon Campaign.
Wes Anderson’s filmmaking style serves as the inspiration for ESPN‘s Wimbledon campaign, “Quiet Please.”
Barclays and VCCP launch cinematic new Wimbledon campaign starring Frances Tiafoe.
Glossier launches Summer Shorts with built-in lip balm holder.
Rhode just launches Lemontini Peptide Lip Tint, but all eyes are actually on the chain belt Hailey Bieber wore for its campaign.
Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Swim collaboration brings iconic Roberto Cavalli animal prints back from the archives.
Sephora offers free Lyft rides to stores in select cities.
Willy Chavarria paid tribute to the immigrants imprisoned by ICE at PFW.
Myntra’s M-Now campaign delivers fast fashion and beauty fixes.
Cynthia Erivo stars in Clinique’s Nude Honey campaign
Bottega Veneta names Lorenzo Musetti new brand ambassador.
Cult Kits launches its first campaign, "The Shirt Matters," with VCCP Blue, spotlighting vintage football shirts as powerful icons of culture and identity.
LVMH acquires French Media Group Bey Médias
Louis Vuitton Korea says systems breach led to customer data leak.
Dermal Therapy relaunches ‘It Works’ campaign featuring Tammy Hembrow, Alex Davidson & Yasmina Elmerkaoui.
White Stuff hails 'trailblazing' former England players in women's football campaign.
Uskees pairs fashion with rescued dogs in this new campaign.
Burberry celebrates brand codes and music from the past with vinyl print social campaign.
Jessica McCormack launches entirely Gen AI created diamond campaign.
H&M turns to AI ‘digital twins’ in new campaign, as fashion grapples with blurred realities.
Dior goes through the looking glass with surreal Fall 2025 campaign.
JJJJound strips back the PUMA Mostro for a timeless update.
Hell on Earth, a new beauty brand, launches with an unconventional message: that Mother Earth is not your friend.
Mugler teams up with Sharon Stone for Archival Capsule.
LOEWE partners with Stink Studios for 10th puzzle bag anniversary campaign.
New Balance unveils ‘Quiet Please’ campaign, directed by Tom Emmerson and his new creative studio, Red Buoy.
L’Oréal to acquire Hair Care Brand Color Wow.
Asos rolls out new loyalty scheme for UK shoppers.
Rough Skin? Topicals just launched a body bar For Keratosis Pilaris.
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham star in Moncler's pre-fall 2025 campaign.
📟 Sponsor Break: Brand is your (legal) performance enhancer.
Tracksuit’s study with TikTok showed that a brand known by four out of ten consumers is 43% more efficient in driving performance marketing outcomes on TikTok than a brand known by three out of ten consumers. In other words, a strong brand will your performance marketing more effective.
If you’re serious about brand performance, it's time to start training: Download the playbook.
Martini partners with Jonathan Bailey for ‘Dare to Be’ campaign.
Blake Lively has a Gossip Girl Reunion with Dorota Actress Zuzanna Szadkowski in new Betty Booze ad campaign.
Jacobs coffee maker JDE Peet's unveils brand-led strategy, sets mid-term targets.
Lipton Teas & Infusions relaunch Spiced Chai Latte blend with 'One In A Gillian' campaign.
Ribena has unveiled a new look and a new £7m advertising campaign, ‘There’s No Taste Like Home’.
Coca-Cola feels the force with Star Wars-themed summer promo.
Hungryman's Dead Ad Society resurrects decade-old ad for KUL MOCKS.
Nootropic startup Neutonic surges to $20M valuation with $3.7 raise.
Echo Falls teams up with influencer GK Berry for new campaign.
Vietnamese Coffee Brand BOLD84 turns bumpy streets into baristas.
Kraft Heinz spotlights real Canadian Kitchens and Ketchups.
Absolut revives a key moment in its creative history with the launch of the Absolut Haring Artist-Edition.
Delamere launches iced tea in time for the summer.
Malibu turns office elevator into Summer Patio to help Canadians “Clock Off.”
Cadbury chocolate bar ad banned for reduced calorie claim.
Mars' $36 billion Kellanova deal gets US antitrust approval as EU opens investigation.
Cole Swindell teams with Mountain Dew to fight thirst July 4th weekend.
Dash debuts playful TV ad amid new bold brand platform.
Ramen maker Nissin launches frozen food brand for health-conscious consumers.
Giada De Laurentiis cools off with Peroni Beer Ice. (AD)
Travis Barker now owns a Liquid Death can containing Ozzy Osbourne's DNA.
Nerds unveils ‘candy-coated’ summer campaign.
Shredded Wheat launches its first new campaign in six years, titled “It Simply Does It.”
Wynns reveals global luxury brand platform.
King’s Hawaiian just got a fluffy rebrand inspired by its classic rolls.
Crocodiles, Lilliputians and a Pro Wrestler star for Wonderful Pistachios campaign.
noosa Yoghurt declares itself The Envy of the Yogurt Aisle in a bold new campaign from agency BSSP.
DJ Mustard just created Heinz’s first new mustard in a decade.
Campari to offload Cinzano vermouth for €100m.
Powerade powers up user-generated content challenge on TikTok.
Numan’s surreal ‘Buffet Boy’ spot challenges weight loss stigma.
Aspall launches ‘Y Do Ordinary’ ad campaign.
Evian snaps up tennis star Carlos Alcaraz as brand ambassador.
Texas Pete invents a spicy straw to turn up the summer heat.
Burger King takes on its ‘arch nemesis’ with reactive OOH campaign.
McDonald’s enlists the Hamburglar to smuggle international menu items into Canada.
LeBron James announces Prime Day 2025 dates in a new Amazon commercial.
A series of ads depicting the moment Mykonos revellers receive a Domino's Pizza was unexpected, but hits mostly the right note.
Sam's Club fills CMO post, eyes ad network expansion.
TikTok Child Star Rizzler and Rising Country Singer team up for Hardee's Burger ad campaign.
Waitrose and John Lewis expands retail media capabilities to allow offsite advertising.
Red Rooster (Reds) launches new Cheeseburger, supported by a tongue-in-cheek and nostalgic campaign.
M&S Food launches new summer marketing campaign showing customers the provenance of their food.
Chuck E. Cheese launches new arcade for adults.
How Target is tackling back-to-school marketing with dual campaigns.
Tesco offers encouragement to England and Wales Football teams in OOH campaign.
Sydney Sweeney unveils Summer Baskin-Robbins collaboration.
Good Guys to pay $13.5M in ACCC suit over misleading promotions.
Currys full-year profits surge 37% on strong UK sales and services
Aldi goes full manc with ‘Aldeh’ rebrand ahead of Oasis homecoming.
Sainsbury’s offering one million loyalty points for using its EV chargers.
Jimmy John's adds some "smut" to summer promotional campaign.
Starbucks unveils new coffeehouse design to reclaim third place legacy.
Fortnum & Mason partners with Margate fish and chip shop for Fortnum’s-On-Sea.
Fortnum & Mason joins forces with Martin Parr for new campaign.
Sainsbury’s launches made-to-order ‘Occasions’ service with premium butcher and fish.
Subway enters Happy Gilmore’s headspace with digital experience.
Oasis Fans run to Lidl: Limited-Edition Jacket launches for reunion tour.
Lovehoney is flipping expectations on sexual wellness advertising with ‘Feel the Lovehoney’ brand platform.
McDonald's throws its full weight to revive die-hard Filet-O-Fish Facebook group.
KFC collaborates with streetwear brand Market for limited-edition merch.
Boston Pizza rebrands with new logo and Live Nation partnership.
JCPenney gifts $10,000 dream wedding to LA couple amid brand revival.
Adidas announces launch of Dame X with “Always Dame Time responsibly” ad campaign.
Meet Aunty M, Google’s new marketing muse bringing ad solutions to life.
BBC launches ‘Names Will Be Made’ campaign for Uefa Women’s Euros 2025.
Miele campaign in North America looks to make the brand’s obscurity an asset.
Just Eat matches groceries with iconic lyrics for new membership service.
HBO, Grubhub bring Hot Fellas to three cities.
Defender nails the OOH ad copy as the official automotive partner of the Oasis tour.
Audible helps people to be 'in on the jokes' in ad highlighting its comedy playlists.
Tour de France ads are tilted to match the incline of the race’s brutal climbs.
JBL’s ‘First Doesn’t Follow’ campaign listens to those who don’t fit the mould
Volkswagen and Jef Boes celebrate the real football MVPs, parents.
In new campaign, Hinge mascot meets a messy end.
In hilarious campaign, Heetch puts Ride Hailing Prices Under the microscope.
Puma brings popular shoes to Fortnite as sportswear marketing evolves.
Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile hires former Costco CFO Richard Galanti as the company’s new “Chief Anti-Inflation Officer.”
In hilarious campaign, Heetch puts Ride Hailing Prices Under the microscope.
JD Sports unveils ‘Forever Forward’ youth-focused rebrand.
Volkswagen Australia launches ‘Batteries Included’ campaign, created in partnership with DDB Group Sydney.
EE, the lead partner of the Home Nations Football Associations launches Everyone Needs a Squad campaign.
Etsy marks 20 Years with ad championing human craftsmanship.
BMW Motorrad and AGMC launch throttle therapy in new campaign by Serviceplan Middle East.
Southampton FC names Asahi official beer partner.
Koto launches Tripadvisor’s new brand, celebrating real stories from real travelers.
American Holidays has created a tongue-in-cheek outdoor ad playing on the stereotype that Brits like to queue.
TRP revs up 'Samsonite Vs The Drag Car' campaign for luggage brand.
‘Adventure Passes’ campaign reminds us the spirit of Vanuatu remains strong.
Yfoundations tackles youth homelessness via UnLtd, Ogilvy and PHD.
Backlash over WA tourism ad campaign led by east-coast company.
Whānau Ora launches NZ's longest ever ad urging more Māori to join the Māori roll.
E4 hijacks 'The Simpsons' title sequence in chaotic channel switch-up.
The AA Insurance ‘Dramatises Driver’ confidence in Jurassic World Rebirth campaign.
Hyatt to introduce Thompson Brand and expand Park Hyatt, Andaz in Asia-Pacific.
The King's Trust launches a new campaign, ‘Working For Young People,’ to spotlight the urgent societal issue of youth unemployment.
Modibodi eases quiet period panic in latest campaign with Fabric\TBWA.
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart reunite as BIC extends its winning sales streak.
Serviceplan brings WhatsApp chat to life for Tourism Abu Dhabi
Ad Agencies’ low growth will drag on as they adjust to era of AI, Barclays says.
IPA urges agencies to rethink billing structure amid ‘limited’ progress toward outcome-based pricing.
Three winning DM9 campaigns are withdrawn from Cannes Lions, as festival pledges tighter oversight.
LePub under investigation after Cannes Lion.
Novo Nordisk and Lundbeck drugs on top ten list of largest advertising budgets.
Australian advertising spend was down by 7.2% year-on-year in May, due to deficits in retail, automotive, and government spend.
VaynerMedia is pushing clients to spend 20% on organic social content.
D&AD removes Pencils from DM9 ad following Cannes controversy
RONA sharing its ad inventory with contractors hurt by tariffs.
Australian consumer watchdog takes gas company to court alleging it misled consumers over renewables claim.
Ad agency FlyteVu acquired by Driftwood Music Group.
BET lays off staff in conjunction with Paramount global's workforce reduction efforts.
EIB lends Swedish adtech company DanAds €21 million to expand self-serve advertising solution.
Enero Group sells struggling adtech business OBMedia.
SoundCloud renews European ad deal with SiriusXM’s AdsWizz.
AANA warns of national fallout from South Australian junk food ad ban.
Mediakart, Continuum Media partner to enhance contextual, 3D advertising in MENA.
CloudTV partners with Magnite to roll out Connected TV Advertising Platform.
NZ-based strategic marketing agency Quantum Jump is expanding into the Australian Market.
As Integral Ad Science marks its fourth anniversary on the Nasdaq, speculation mounts over its future.
BANNED?!?
Spain to ban advertising on fossil fuels and domestic short flights.
EU court strikes down Poland’s pharmacy advertising ban.
UK alcohol advertising restrictions could be "in line" with junk food.
Lithuania introduces new restrictions on gambling advertising.
On Monday 7 July, UK MPs will debate a petition relating to fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship.
MNTN and ZoomInfo announce partnership to revolutionize B2B Advertising on Television.
Assembly launches 'Assembly Control' to elevate brand safety, suitability, and campaign performance in programmatic media.
A growing consensus? What 25 years of data says about businesses’ marketing investment.
AON calls global creative and media agency review.
Woolworths takes Everyday Rewards creative account to pitch.
UK Department for Education appoints VCCP as lead strategic and creative agency.
LVMH moves portion of european media business from Publicis to Havas.
BBH and Tombras win Arby’s creative business following review.
UK for UNHCR appoints House 337.
Wavemaker declines to repitch for global Merlin Entertainments account.
TSA wins Whittard of Chelsea’s influencer and social media account.
Pilgrim Europe appoints lead creative partner.
Arla Foods launches UK creative review for Anchor Butter Brand.
Openreach picks UK media agency.
Brave Bison wins Guinness World Records social monetisation brief.
TikTok reviews European creative agency roster.
Mother Berlin wins pan-Euro business from fintech SumUp.
Bacardi appoints creative agencies for three of its brands.
Havaianas picks GUT as first global creative AOR.
DoorDash delivers creative account to DDB Australia.
Zenith wins Flight Centre media account.
Urban Company selects M&C Saatchi Performance as digital agency on record
Back on Sunday. Until then…
Wimbledon’s content has been great, love the ‘overheard’ series