The First Female Colonel Sanders: How Casting Reba affected KFC

KFC chose Reba McEntire to be the first woman to play the iconic role of Colonel Sanders in their ad campaign running from January to April of 2018.   Although KFC insists this was a political move, and the spokesperson for KFC claims that they “have always maintained that anyone, male or female, who embodies […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: 25,915

25,915: the average amount of days a human has to live. The amount of days to be young, grow old, be healthy. So what’s one sure way to stay healthy during your 25,915 days? Run! Reebok’s new commercial, 25,915 Days, tells the story of one woman who exemplifies making the most of her days. The […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: More than just a Popular Picture App

Today’s market is dominated by mobile devices and mobile apps: customers cruise Instagram while shopping for milk and butter; the bored peruse their second-cousin-once-removed’s trip to Florida; athletes plan their big weekend bike trip on Google Maps. Since July 2008, when Apple’s App Store for iOS opened, mobile apps have consumed individuals, companies, brands, and […]

Trending Tuesday: Mouthwatering Ads

What’s better than enjoying your favorite mouthwatering foods and beverages? Enjoying them with loved ones, of course! Just for fun, take a look at a few favorite, family-focused food and drink advertisements. Each has great creative directions, for the consumer is fully engaged in the visuals and story long before the brand is even revealed. […]

Funny Friday: National Ice Cream Month

National Ice Cream Month: the perfect excuse to grab that chocolate dipped cone on a hot summer day. But while July might entice some to seek out the nearest DQ, others can get a guilt free ice cream fix by watching a few well-done ice cream advertisements! The classic story of distress to success is […]

Throwback Thursday: A Love Story Unwrapped

The most pervasive ads often say little about the product being promoted, as Tim Maroder explains. One recent minty fresh ad did just this by silently promoting Wrigley’s Extra gum amongst a truly heartwarming love story. The Story of Juan and Sarah (Oct. 2015) creatively unwraps one couple’s time together. The story starts with Juan […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday – PSA Highlights Street Harassment

Imagine walking silently down a crowded city street, minding your own business, wearing a modest outfit consisting of jeans and a crewneck t-shirt, making no contact whatsoever with any other person, but constantly being harassed–followed even? Imagine walking for 10 hours straight and being catcalled (excluding whistles, winks and other forms of harassment) over 100 times. It […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: Nike Risks Win Internet

As many of you may have heard, this little event called the FIFA World Cup is in its final stages. With such a huge worldwide event that happens every four years, brands are at war to capture and capitalize on the attention of such a large audience. Although the USA was beaten by Belgium in […]

Two for Tuesday: Panem Propaganda Engage Hunger Games Fans

The integration of digital assets into any marketing campaign is becoming increasingly vital, especially as the marketers are increasingly targeting younger and younger consumers (who are growing more dependent on technology). It comes as no surprise that marketers are using highly integrated campaigns to engage young consumers, and simulate a tangible feel, or world, to accompany […]

Throwback Thursday: World Cup Anthems

With Brazil and Croatia’s kickoff earlier today, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is officially underway. As I’m writing for a largely American audience, I’m just sensing a “why should I care” response—especially since baseball is in full swing and the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are both well underway. In that light, let me just […]

Two for Tuesday: Coca-Cola and Health

Coca-Cola, official 2014 World Cup partner, has proven something of a lightning rod in recent years with regards to its attempts to tackle health and weight issues surrounding its products in its advertising. This Two for Tuesday, we’re featuring two ad campaigns in recent years where Coke tried to re-brand as healthy, and the public response. […]

Two for Tuesday: Two Unifying Coke Ads

Social media provides a place for us all to be heard. In our joys and grief, we share, we express and we make our point. We see the poignant–like Jim Carrey’s response to the death of the bright creative light, Philip Seymour Hoffman: Dear Philip, a beautiful beautiful soul. For the most sensitive among us […]