Absolute x Tabasco
Absolute Vodka and Tabasco have teamed up on a chili-pepper-infused vodka. The launch campaign was created by W+K London (it was their first project after winning the Absolute global account), and was shot in the volcanic fields of Reykjavík. The volcanoes erupt Bloody Marys instead of lava, and it’s set to Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” More
When the creative is good, the product almost doesn’t matter. Almost. The cheesy millennial in me loves this campaign.
Six Flags x Travis Kelce
Six Flags has named Travid Kelce as its newest brand ambassador for 2026. He’ll show up across digital content, broadcast posts, and in-park marketing. He also invested as part of the deal, joining Jana Partners and acquiring a roughly 9% stake in the company. More
The celebrity endorsement-to-equity pipeline is actually one of the most honest things happening in brand partnerships right now. If you won’t buy the stock, why should I buy the ad?
Walmart x Vizio
Walmart and Vizio Smart TVs are now partnering. You log in to your Walmart account on your TV, linking what you watch to what you buy. L’Oréal is a launch partner with a QR code-to-purchase flow. More
Retail media has been creeping towards this slowly. I guess it’s convenient. It’s also very creepy.
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.



