Apple “Clingers”
Apple’s new spot, "Clingers" (from TBWA\Media Arts Lab), very clearly takes a stab at Google Chrome’s privacy and data tracking. People in literal chrome suits follow around our hero characters and watch everything they do.
The Real Story: This ad doesn’t convince me that Apple’s Safari browsing platform isn’t doing the same thing. Also, Apple you don;t get to be in on this “ads track everything we do” joke with us. In the class/ai/corporate entity wars, you are automatically on the wrong side. Sorry.
Uber Eats “Who Could Cook at a Time Like This?”
For the FIFA World Cup, Uber Eats launched their “Who Could Cook at a Time Like This?” campaign starring Gordon Ramsey. The creative is from Mother and focuses on Gordon barging into kitchens with a green Uber Eats bag, telling people to stop cooking and order delivery instead so they don't miss a match.
The Real Story: This is fun, but I do think Gordon Ramsey is a (as he would say) wee bit saturated at this point. Also, nothing I’ve ever had delivered via Uber Eats has looked chef quality, more like sat on and nibbled on.
Nike “Rip the Script”
Nike’s “Rip the Script” comes from Wieden+Kennedy Portland and features Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Vini Jr., with cameos from LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Travis Scott, Lisa, Channing Tatum, Young Miko, and Ted Lasso. Nike is not a World Cup sponsor (Adidas is), but Nike is rolling out a TON of new products during the World Cup.
The Real Story: Nike’s spot was good, Adidas’ was better. They both spent a truckload of money.
I’ve already talked about the Adidas Backyard legends spot 15 times, so I’ll just leave this here…
If you’re new here, I write a monthly serialized novel called Everything is Advertising, about a burned-out Creative Director and his cynical team that accidentally create QAnon through a viral marketing campaign. If you like that kind of thing, you can start at Part One and catch up from there.
Every Wednesday, Open Woods tracks the cultural moments worth paying attention to. Curated weekly for brands that want to move first.
Every Friday, The Business of Advertising shares lessons from over a decade working on the front lines of advertising.
Every Sunday, Above the Fold breaks down what’s running in advertising, what’s landing, and what’s a total disaster.