Clever Ideas, Great Ads

D&AD's 2026 AI & Creativity Report Highlights the Cost of Taking the Shortcut

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:33:11 +0000

D&AD, the global creative non-profit championing excellence in design and commercial creativity, today launched The D&AD AI & Creativity Report 2026: The Cost of the Shortcut, a global study which found that what separates great creative work from average work isn't the technology – it's human judgement. This report was sponsored by Shutterstock Studios.

AI has made creative work faster and cheaper, but if you treat it as a shortcut, you just get average output. The real value – and the D&AD Awards data backs this up – comes from skilled human judgement using AI to sharpen human craft, not replace it.

But that judgement has to come from somewhere, and right now the industry is cutting off its own supply. The entry-level jobs where people learn to build judgement are disappearing. The fix isn't to protect those jobs as they are – it's to redesign them, so they still teach the judgement the industry depends on.

Drawing on 197 in-depth conversations with global creative leaders from 30 countries, alongside an analysis of over 10,000 D&AD Award entries, the global benchmark for creative excellence, the report identifies six areas where leaders can actively choose to build a stronger, more intentional industry.

The Work was the Training. How do we protect the future of our craft?
While entry-level jobs are disappearing, AI is simultaneously absorbing the remaining repetitive tasks. Together, this is eliminating the training ground that builds the judgement required for future creative leaders.

The Tool Raises the Floor, Human Judgement Sets the Ceiling
The proportion of D&AD Award entries declaring the use of AI more than doubled year-on-year, reaching 27.6% in 2026. Generative AI was used in 56.2% of AI-declaring entries overall, compared with 44.7% of AI-declaring Pencil winners, alongside a proportional rise in assistive AI among winners. The data suggests that while AI is increasingly part of the creative process, its use alone does not translate into creative excellence. At the highest levels, human judgement, originality and craft remain critical. AI is neither a shortcut to excellence nor a prerequisite for it.

The report also highlights that AI can drive the most impactful results when working invisibly beneath the idea. Projects like ‘Caption with Intention’ and ‘PainVisible’ prove that using AI to drive inclusivity and precision can push creative boundaries in ways that would be otherwise difficult to scale.

Six Reckonings Reshaping the Industry

The D&AD AI & Creativity Report 2026 identifies six critical reckonings facing every creative organisation. Together, they define the choices that will determine whether AI becomes a shortcut to average work or a catalyst for creative excellence.

Among its findings:

Originality: Left alone, AI trends towards the average. Award-winning work emerged where specialist AI tools were paired with discerning human judgement and craft.
Talent: As repetitive tasks disappear, organisations face a defining choice: use AI to replace learning opportunities or redesign junior roles around critique, taste and cultural awareness.
Leadership: Creative excellence cannot be delegated to AI. The organisations pulling ahead are those whose leaders are actively shaping how AI is adopted, governed and used.

"AI has changed what bad work looks like," said David Patton, CEO of D&AD. "It's no longer lazy or derivative in any obvious way – it's competent, polished, and generic, and it's the default output for anyone, anywhere. The real problem sits one step earlier: how do you train someone to tell competent from excellent, when competent is now the easy default everywhere they look? This report isn't just a diagnostic of risk. It's D&AD planting a flag – not for the tools, or against them, but for the human judgement they can't replace."

The D&AD AI & Creativity Report 2026: The Cost of the Shortcut, concludes that AI is not determining the future of creative excellence. Rather, the choices organisations make about how they use it are. The report sets out the decisions that will separate those who simply produce work faster from those who continue to produce work that matters.

The report was assembled and edited by D&AD and Ben Cooper, BRAINSTRUST, who also led the 2025 report.

Download the report here: https://www.dandad.org/insights/learning/ai-report-2026

ABOUT D&AD

D&AD is a global creativity non-profit that celebrates, stimulates and enables excellence in design and commercial creativity. Through its world-renowned Awards and education programmes, D&AD aims to generate funding to champion the next generation of creative talent to drive positive change in the industry and beyond. The global steward of creative excellence in commercial creativity. For more, visit: dandad.org

ABOUT SHUTTERSTOCK STUDIOS

Shutterstock Studios is a global content engine—part production company, part innovation lab. Led by expert producers and creatives and powered by Shutterstock’s technology ecosystem, we are uniquely built on the AI infrastructure behind many of the industry’s leading models and grounded in one of the world’s largest licensed content libraries. We design custom workflows that accelerate ideation, streamline production, and unlock new creative possibilities across stills, video, 3D, animation, and emerging formats. From concept to delivery, Shutterstock Studios brings human creativity and responsible AI together to produce high-impact, on-brand content at the speed today’s marketing landscape demands. Learn more at https://studios.shutterstock.com/.

Liquid Death and goodwipes Launch Limited-Edition Flushable Wipes

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:53:32 +0000

Liquid Death turned healthy beverages into a cultural movement. goodwipes has spent more than a decade modernizing the most overlooked room in the house with its mission of revolutionizing the restroom routine.

Now, the brands are joining forces to bring that same energy to the bathroom by launching one of the most unexpected brand collaborations of the summer: a limited-edition pack of flushable wipes, inspired by Liquid Death's sCREAM Soda.

Negotiated by partnership agency SonderCo, the collaboration goes beyond a licensing deal, with the brands reformulating goodwipes' signature product, infusing the flushable wipes with Liquid Death's Mountain Water and sCREAM Soda scent, along with goodwipes' gentle, skin-loving ingredients like aloe and vitamin E, to bring Liquid Death's signature edge to the beauty-and-booty-care world.

Both brands have built loyal followings by bringing personality, innovation, and premium experiences to categories that traditionally lack all three. Rooted in a shared "Death to Dry" philosophy—whether that's dry mouths, dry wiping, or dry standards—the partnership extends Liquid Death and goodwipes' approach into personal care by creating a product fans can actually use.

“We believe hydration shouldn't stop at your mouth. Combining goodwipes premium wipes with our 100% real Mountain Water and the scent of one of our most popular soda-flavor sparkling waters should make anyone feel #1 at #2, whether you have a live-in Buttler or not,” said Andy Pearson, Liquid Death VP of Creative.

The partnership comes to life through "The Buttler Sweepstakes," giving one lucky consumer the chance to win their own butt-wiping VIP service: a fully trained, live-in Buttler who will personally wipe their butt using Liquid Death x goodwipes sCREAM Soda wipes.

The Sweepstakes launches alongside a brand film going live across Liquid Death and goodwipes' social channels on August 11. Featuring a tuxedo-clad “Buttler” who does nothing but wipe your butt, the comedic spot was co-ideated by both brands and produced in-house by Liquid Death, produced in the style of an SNL Happy Fun Ball parody, sending up the over-the-top infomercials of the category it's spoofing. The competition will run through August 31 (goodwipes.com/buttler).

Meredith Diehn, SVP Marketing at goodwipes, concludes, “Consumers deserve better than dry, outdated experiences. From what you drink to how you wipe, the standard has always been too low, so we’ve joined forces with a brand who shares our ambition to disrupt the status quo, to help people truly upgrade their restroom routine. Made with real Liquid Death Mountain Water, aloe, and vitamin E, these wipes bring premium ingredients and a skincare-inspired approach to one of the most overlooked categories in personal care. This collab was always destined to happen—it just needed the right excuse, the right product, and one exceptionally classy 'Buttler.’”

The limited-edition wipes launch exclusively in more than 4,000 Walmart stores nationwide on August 10 and will be available through January 2027.

CREDITS

LIQUID DEATH + DEATH MACHINE:

Founder/CEO: Mike Cessario

SVP Marketing: Dan Murphy

VP of Creative: Andy Pearson

VP of Marketing: Greg Fass

VP of Design: Frank Dresmé

VP of Apparel & Merch: Misha Brunelli

Creative Director: Will Carsola

Associate Creative Director: Stu Golley

Senior Nihilist: Brendan Kelly

Brand Manager: Jeanne Irwin

Senior Graphic Designer: Kellen Breen

Wholesale Director Merch: Christopher Cargnoni

Executive Producer: Zoë Andrikidis

Producer: Rylee Brown

Director: Andy Pearson

Director of Photography: Tom Banks

1st AD: Julian Metter

Gaffer: Brandon Alperin

Key Grip: Steve Dorman

Production Designer: Nu California

Editor: Tyler Beasley

VFX: Yellow Sweater

Sound Mix: Tyler Beasley

Color: Bryan Smaller @ Company 3

GOODWIPES:

SVP Marketing: Meredith Diehn

Creative Director: Maria Guilbault

Creative Strategist: Frank Cartagena

TIRTIR and JvM HANGANG Make K-Beauty Concert-Proof at BTS THE CITY ARIRANG – NEW YORK

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Global Korean makeup brand TIRTIR, together with Jung von Matt HANGANG, brought the TIRTIR CONCERT-PROOF BAR to BTS THE CITY ARIRANG – NEW YORK.

The experience was part of ARMY ‘MADANG’ at the Korean Cultural Center New York, a dedicated fan space bringing together BTS-inspired experiences, cultural programming and brand activations. TIRTIR participated as the official K-beauty brand.

The activation was built around a simple observation: for fans, a concert is not a two-hour event. It is an all-day ritual shaped by queues, summer heat, movement, cameras and countless moments shared in real time. Instead of treating that attention as borrowed reach, TIRTIR set out to become useful in the moment, helping fans prepare, discover products and maintain their look throughout the concert-day experience.

From fan attention to fan utility

At the CONCERT-PROOF BAR, visitors could explore and try TIRTIR products selected for long, high-energy days, including the limited-edition BTS THE CITY New York Perfect Setting Duo, sun care and lip products. Guests also received exclusive first access to an upcoming TIRTIR cushion foundation and venue-only benefits.

The limited-edition duo combined TIRTIR's Reflect Glow Prep Primer and Mask Fit Makeup Fixer with the BTS THE CITY Arirang Pouch. Inspired by the traditional Korean bokjumeoni, or lucky pouch, the design connected a contemporary global fan experience with a recognisable element of Korean culture.

Sunyoung Erika Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, TIRTIR states, “Global growth is not simply about putting K-beauty on more shelves. It is about becoming relevant in the moments people care about. We turned a genuine concert-day need into an experience fans could try, share and take with them, connecting product performance, Korean cultural detail and commerce in one place.”

From experience to commerce

The physical experience was designed as part of a connected purchase journey. Fans could buy the limited-edition set through Weverse, collect pre-purchased products at the event and access QR-based purchasing on site. The model brought product trial, exclusive access, pickup and purchase into one continuous experience, reducing the distance between cultural attention and commercial action.

The activation followed TIRTIR's participation in BTS THE CITY – BUSAN and extended the brand's growing US presence with a locally relevant experience in New York. Rather than repeating a conventional pop-up formula, the idea was shaped around the behaviour and conditions of this specific audience and occasion.

“Cultural relevance begins with behaviour, not iconography. We looked at what fans actually go through on concert day and built the brand around that truth. The result connects culture, product and commerce without forcing any of them.” added Bill Yom, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Jung von Matt HANGANG

From Seoul insight to global brand growth

The project reflects JvM HANGANG's role as a cultural bridge between Korea and global markets. The agency's approach is not based on using K-culture as decoration, but on understanding the behaviours around it well enough to create a credible role for brands. For TIRTIR, that means moving beyond visibility alone and turning product relevance into experience, participation and sales.

Young & Laramore Names Chris Holland Its First Director of Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:50:11 +0000

Young & Laramore (Y&L) today announced that Chris Holland has joined the independent creative agency as its first Director of Growth. Reporting directly to President & CEO Tom Denari, Holland will lead the agency’s business development strategy and help translate Y&L’s creative and strategic reputation into sustained growth.

In the newly created role, Holland will oversee Y&L’s full growth ecosystem, including lead generation and prospecting, agency marketing and public relations, relationship development and pitch management. He will focus on identifying and building relationships with ambitious brands looking for a refresh or a new perspective.

“We’ve built a national reputation from Indianapolis by consistently delivering engaging, smart creative, built through a deep understanding of consumer behavior. The opportunity now is to bring that story to more brands, and that requires someone focused entirely on growth,” said Tom Denari, President & CEO of Young & Laramore. “Chris brings national brand experience, a natural ability to build relationships and he understands what makes Y&L distinctive.”

Holland began his advertising career at The Odyssey, an Indiana University-based media startup, where he eventually became head of client services in the company’s New York office. There, he led campaigns for brands including Red Bull Media House, Paramount, Starbucks, Verizon, PepsiCo, Bumble and KIND while helping the company grow to more than 174 employees and a network of over 10,000 contributors. Most recently, Holland worked at GSD&M in Austin, where he helped lead experiential and digital marketing for the United States Air Force and Space Force.

"For decades, Y&L has quietly built a reputation as one of the country's most respected independent agencies; building brands, launching categories, and delivering work that rivals firms many times its size," said Holland. "My role is to help more marketers discover what clients have always known: Y&L brings the strategic depth, creative work, and partnership of a world-class agency without the layers and limitations that often come with larger holding-company networks."

Holland joins Y&L as the agency builds on a reputation for helping brands find distinctive positions and turn them into long-term growth. Its work includes transforming Delta Faucet’s premium line into Brizo, a luxury lifestyle brand as well as recent campaigns featuring Caitlin Clark for Gainbridge, world No. 1 pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters for Paddletek, and culturally driven collaborations for Dum Dums.

ABOUT YOUNG & LARAMORE

Young & Laramore (Y&L) is an award-winning independent creative agency based in Indianapolis, known for its work across brand strategy, design, advertising, marketing and media. Located in a restored 19th-century schoolhouse, Y&L reflects its building—identifying first and foremost as students of the consumer. Proudly independent, Y&L answers to no one but its clients and its own compass. The agency believes the ideal creative partnership is just that: a true partnership. Y&L works with brands including Brizo, Cummins, DEWALT, Dum Dums, Bit-O-Honey, Rust-Oleum and Goodwill.

Y&L is also the creator of UNREASONABLE: A Modern Look at Consumer Motivations, its annual consumer behavior conference which explores the emotional, psychological and social forces that shape consumer decision-making. This year’s event will take place September 30th in Indianapolis.

For tickets, click here.

In-House Creative Explored at 2026 BRAND-SIDE Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:49:00 +0000

The unique opportunities and challenges faced by in-house teams is the focus of The One Club for Creativity’s upcoming BRAND-SIDE 2026 conference, taking place September 30-October 1 at the Hyatt Centric in downtown Nashville.

The two-day conference features sessions for both experienced in-house leaders and those new to working at a brand. The event focuses on the inner dynamics of best-in-class in-house creative departments, and provides an inside look at the tactics and cultures of the teams that build, maintain, and grow a brand’s presence in the market.

Among the confirmed speakers to date at this year’s BRAND-SIDE are:

Joanna Berliner, Head of Creative, Wayfair Studio, Wayfair
Taylor Erin, ECD, Instacart
Alyssa Georg, ECD, Head of Creative Integration, Expedia Group
Sophie Gold, Founder, Eleanor
Rikki Heinecke, Director of Production, Sturdy.
Ravid Kuperberg, Partner, Trainer, Mindscapes
John Long, ECD, Digitas
Jean Morrow, Group Creative Director, Coinbase
Nico Poalillo, Director of Development, Sturdy.
Jay Russell, CCO, EVP, GSD&M
Otis Stroud, II, Brand Creative, US Card, Capital One
Matt Watson, CCO, Sips & Bites & Pepsi EU

Sessions will cover topics such as how to establish a strong in-house creative culture, the best ways to steward a brand internally and also work seamlessly with external agency partners, and more. The overarching focus of the conference is on inspiration, connections, and practical applications to improve in-house creative teams and their output.

Registration for BRAND-SIDE 2026 is now open. The One Club members receive a $200 discount.

More information and registration is available on the BRAND-SIDE 2026 website.

ABOUT THE ONE CLUB FOR CREATIVITY

The One Club for Creativity – home of The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) awards, ONE Asia Creative Awards, Type Directors Club TDC competition and scholarships, ADC Young Guns, Young Ones Student Awards, Next Creative Leaders, ONE Creator Lab, WAATBP Essentials career fair, Portfolio Night, Creative Week, and more – is the world’s foremost non-profit organization whose mission is to support and celebrate the success of the global creative community. Revenue generated from entries to its global awards shows goes back into the industry to fund programs that support industry access, creative education, professional development, and enhancement of creative careers around the world.

DAVID New York Appoints Alvaro Soto as Executive Creative Director

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:22:56 +0000

Global creative agency DAVID today announced the addition of Alvaro Soto as Executive Creative Director in its New York office. Reporting to North America Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lobatón, Alvaro will help shape creative across the agency's North American client portfolio.

With more than 16 years of experience, Alvaro brings deep expertise in developing integrated campaigns for global and regional brands across North America and Latin America. He joins DAVID after more than five years at Grey New York, where he served as Global Group Creative Director on Corona and Budweiser, and previously led teams for Pringles, Modelo, and P&G in the U.S. market. Prior to Grey, he held roles at Anomaly New York and INNOCEAN Los Angeles after beginning his career at McCann Lima and TBWA Lima.

Known for turning simple human insights into culturally resonant ideas, Alvaro creates campaigns that blend craft, innovation and brand storytelling. Most recently, he led "Lime Guides" for Corona, transforming the brand's iconic lime ritual by using food-safe laser technology to etch cutting guides directly onto the fruit, ensuring the perfect wedge every time. He also helped take Corona Cero beyond the beach to the snowy slopes with "For Every Golden Moment," a global campaign for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

“Alvaro stepped into the office and immediately became essential to DAVID. From leading teams to get to better, sharper, more insightful work to taking some of our internal ways of working and identifying how to help us build an even faster rocket ship as it takes off. And it’s only been a week. Very excited for all the amazing work he will lead,” says Lobatón.

Other notable work includes “Widen the Screen” for P&G, a platform created to address representation and expand opportunities for Black filmmakers in the entertainment and advertising industries, as well as “Claustrobar” for Stella Artois, the iconic campaign that celebrates those who sacrifice their space to enjoy a cold Stella in a crowded bar. His work has earned recognition at the industry's most prestigious award shows, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clio Awards, Effie Awards, The ANDYs, London International Awards, AICP Awards and The Webby Awards.

"I've admired DAVID's work for a long time, so joining the team is a special moment for me. I'm excited to collaborate with such talented people, build strong partnerships with our clients, and create work we're all proud of," says Alvaro.

Founded in September 2022, DAVID New York rapidly became one of the network's leading offices, fueling the agency's continued growth in the U.S. The office leads AOR relationships with brands including Supercell, IKEA U.S., and Kimberly-Clark, producing culturally driven work across gaming, CPG and entertainment.

Following its Grand Prix-winning "Copycats Welcome" campaign for Supercell's Clash Royale, DAVID New York was named Entertainment Agency of the Year at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the second consecutive year. The office earned six Lions in total — one Grand Prix, three Silver and two Bronze — for work that continues to redefine how brands connect with audiences through entertainment, gaming, and culture.

Cossette and Hostess Launch ‘Craze’ with a Record-Breaking Skydive

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Snack cake icon Hostess is officially launching Hostess Craze, a brand-new lineup featuring Brownie Popz, Xplosion Cakes, and Choco Layz. But instead of settling for standard grocery aisle real estate, the brand teamed up with Cossette to drop its new products from the sky: literally.

The Ultimate Lead of Taste

At the heart of the maximalist campaign is the return of G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Tasters), the brand’s notoriously outspoken puppet character. To match the intensity of the Craze lineup, Cossette skipped traditional advertising rules and built a high-suspense rollout mirroring a major movie premiere, complete with teasers, trailers, and a heavy dose of escalation.

The campaign peaks with a record-setting stunt: an attempt at the world's highest skydive ever completed by a goat puppet. It answers the burning question absolutely no one was asking: How far can a puppet fall?

Patrick Michaud, Vice-President, Executive Creative Director at Cossette notes, “We set out to create a spectacle, not just a campaign. By shifting our strategy from standard advertising to pure entertainment, we transformed a simple product drop into an inclusive, out-of-the-ordinary cultural moment that anyone can participate in.”

Snacking for the Content Generation

The campaign is built directly for a new generation of snackers who prioritize content over traditional corporate messaging.

“We saw an opportunity to launch Hostess Craze in a way that reflects how people actually engage with content today,” says Kelly Matthews, Brand Manager, Bimbo Canada. “This isn't just a product announcement; it's cultural currency. It’s loud, it's unexpected, and it gives people something to tune in.”

The campaign runs from July 6 to September 13 across web, OOH, digital, and social platforms.

CREDITS:

Advertiser: Hostess Canada (Bimbo)

Mike Bascom, Bernardo Caupers, Kelly Matthews

Agency: Cossette

Creative: Patrick Michaud, Jocelyn Goyer, Andrew Lord
Strategy: Robyn Hutman, Solenn Desjardins-Kaci
Account Management: Mélodie Desrochers Ndlela, Mélanie Desjardins
Broadcast/Electronic Production: Laurence Houle
Print / Digital Production: Martin Lemay
Language Services / Translation: Carol-Ann Savick, Chelsey Lam, France Auger

Agency Production: Septième
Media Agency: PHD
Production House: Carton Rouge

Director: Didier Charette

Post-Production: Post 430
Audio Studio: LaMajeure

Expedia Partners With Voyager for “See Yourself in Canada” Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:19:11 +0000

Expedia has partnered with Voyager for the latest installment of its “See Yourself in Canada” campaign, a co-branded travel series with Destination Canada that invites travelers to discover the country's diverse landscapes through character-driven stories.

Directed by Voyager’s Charles Frank and edited by Leap Year’s Nico Frank, the latest chapter features four films: one highlighting Destination Canada, and three celebrating New Brunswick, Kelowna in British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island. Each spot follows two women as they explore each region while playing a guessing game. As they take in vineyards, mountains, lakes, coastlines, and local landmarks, a series of playful questions gradually builds to the answer, ending in Expedia’s invitation to “See Yourself in” each destination.

“It was an absolute dream to experience these beautiful Canadian destinations as both a tourist and a filmmaker,” shares director Charles Frank. “The final spots feel like a true extension of how we were all feeling on set: awestruck, silly and connected.”

CREDITS:

Client: Destination Canada

Agency: E Studio at Expedia

CDs: Chase Hilton, Garrett Combes

EP: Kat Thomas

Producer: Jason Pajor

Project Manager: Catherine Warner

Creative Partners Manager: Ines Gamarra

Production Co: Voyager

Director: Charles Frank

EP/Producer: Alissa Feldbau

HOP: Meliz Yilmaz

DP: Jeff Melanson

Post: Leap Year

Managing Director, EP: Kira MacKnight

Post Producer: Phil Minton

Editor: Nico Frank

Asst Editor: Xiaoxiao Chen

Music: Jeff Melanson

Mix: Calvin Pia @feltsound

Color: Jonnie Sirotek

VFX: Mission Control

Actimove Spotlights the Inner Strength Behind Living with Pain in new Publicis London Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:41:32 +0000

Publicis London has launched new work with Essity Medical’s Actimove, a brand specialising in braces, supports, tapes and bandages for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions.

Built around the new creative platform ‘Inner Strength Support’, the campaign challenges a category dominated by clinical demos and product claims. Instead of focusing on functionality alone, it shows the mental strength, effort and grit it takes to keep moving through pain.

At the heart of the campaign are two 30-second films that visualise hidden internal pains, showing what people living with acute and chronic pain are really pushing against in everyday life.

Directed by Quentin Deronzier, renowned for his music video work with artists including Drake, Doja Cat and The Weeknd, the films bring a more atmospheric, cinematic approach to the category. Blending live action with CGI, each film builds a world where movement comes with real weight. They dramatise the inner strength required to overcome resistance, using a darker and more distinct visual language.

Noël Bunting, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis London, states, “We challenged the codes of the category by making internal pain visible and giving it real weight and presence on screen. Every movement is pushed to its limit, every frame built to show what people are up against. When you see that, those everyday movements stop feeling small and start to feel like what they really are. Heroic acts of inner strength.”

In one film, a woman cycles through thick black tar. In another, a man climbs an endless staircase in a thunderstorm. Both are backlit against darkness, pushing forward into the light as resistance builds around them. Each pushes through extreme, relentless conditions before the scenes return to everyday life, revealing the resilience and inner strength it takes to live with pain.

By making resistance visible, the work reframes everyday movement, showing the effort behind what most people take for granted. The campaign shows how Actimove’s braces, supports, tapes and bandages help people continue doing the activities they enjoy, shifting the focus towards movement and momentum.

The campaign will run across social and online, rolling out first in Denmark from 1^st August, followed by Norway, Sweden and further around the globe, and was created by Publicis London, with Publicis Production supporting production across the films and stills.

Kathrin Matthée, Global Brand Communications Manager, Orthopedics at Essity Medical, concludes, “This campaign brings a sense of drama and emotion into a category that often feels purely functional. It reflects the resilience of acute and chronic pain sufferers to keep going. Actimove supports that strength in a practical way, giving people the confidence and stability to move through their pain and keep doing the things that matter to them.”

As integrated agency partner to global hygiene and health company Essity, Publicis London leads creative duties across brands including Actimove, JOBST Leukoplast and TORK.

CREDITS

Campaign Title: ‘Inner Strength Support’

Client: Essity Medical – Actimove

Global Brand Communications Manager: Kathrin Matthée

Creative agency: Publicis London

Chief Creative Officer: Noël Bunting

Creative Directors: Rhys Hughes, Barret Helander, Steve Paskin

Copywriter: George Orton

Art Director: Hugh Kendall

Designer: Oskah Manchip

Planners: Alex Mimoun, Adam McGlashan, Rosie Mahoney

Business Lead: Anna Crabtree

Account Team: Luke Cambridge, Tom Bryant, Claire Chislett, Sneha Bansal

Agency Producers: Donna Baker, Bea Icke

Production Company: Arts and Sciences

Director: Quentin Deronzier

Editor: Ed Cheesman, Final Cut

Producer: Kwok Yau

Post-Production Company: Daydreamer

Audio Post-Production: Publicis Production

Social Agency: One Green Bean

NÜTRL launches in Korea with an original music video starring SEVENTEEN's S.COUPS and MINGYU, created by GUT Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:09:39 +0000

The idea started with an untapped detail: the umlaut (Ü) in NÜTRL’s name. Reinterpreted as a smile, GUT Singapore transformed a simple typographic mark into NÜTRL’s defining visual signature, giving the global brand a warm, recognizable identity as it introduced itself to Korean consumers.

That smile scaled into NÜTRL’s brand platform for Korea, Smile Üp. More than a campaign line, it expressed the brand’s mission in the market: to bring a little lightness and a little more reason to smile to Koreans.

This came to life through an original music video featuring S.COUPS and MINGYU, where the artists don’t just endorse NÜTRL from the outside, but become part of the brand universe itself. By reimagining their hit single “For you” as “For Ü”, the music video introduces NÜTRL through music, entertainment and a vibrant visual universe inspired by the drink’s light and refreshing formulation and personality.

“For Ü” expands NÜTRL’s identity into a world filled with playful visual cues and recognizable Korean cultural references, giving the brand a distinctly Korean expression without losing the identity that travels with it globally. The result gives fans multiple ways to discover NÜTRL, combining functional product storytelling with entertainment people would choose to watch and share.

The music video sits at the heart of a social-first play, supported by out-of-home and on-ground activations, helping establish NÜTRL in one of Korea's fastest-growing and most competitive ready-to-drink categories.

Alongside the campaign, GUT Singapore led the redesign of NÜTRL's packaging for the Korean market, working with GUT Design to create a cohesive identity across every touchpoint.

“Korea is one of the most exciting and competitive ready-to-drink markets in the world, and we wanted to enter with impact. There was no better way to do that than collaborating with artists who genuinely shape the culture. Working with S.COUPS and MINGYU gave NÜTRL a level of cultural credibility and energy few launches ever get, positioning the brand right where music and culture meet.” said Alex Lambrecht, Marketing Vice President at Anheuser-Busch InBev.

"This launch was about much more than introducing a new drink," said Carlos Camacho, Chief Creative Officer at GUT Singapore. "The smile hidden in NÜTRL's own name gave us a way in, and music let us build a world people would choose to spend time in, rather than an ad they'd skip. Everything, down to turning “For you” into “For Ü”, came from that one idea."

The campaign marks another collaboration between GUT Singapore and leading Korean entertainment IPs and personalities, with past collaborations including Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars 2, Napoli Matfia, Moon Sang Hoon and more. Rather than announcing NÜTRL’s arrival with a conventional launch, the agency has applied its pop-culture-first instinct for a market entry, building a world fans across South Korea, Asia and beyond will choose to step into.

Art Directors Club Names Global Jury for ADC Young Guns 24

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:02:57 +0000

The global Art Directors Club, part of The One Club for Creativity, announced the more than 100 creative professionals from around the world who will serve on the jury for the global Young Guns 24 competition.

ADC Young Guns is the industry’s only global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies and celebrates today’s vanguard of young creative professionals. The program is open to those ages 30 and under who have been working for at least two years, full-time or freelance. Eligible entrants can submit a combination of professional and personal work.

A sampling of some of this year’s global jury by region, including past YG winners as indicated, is as follows:

APAC

Albert Chan, Founder, Lup, Jakarta
Sonam Gautam, Head of Creative, ULKA (A BBDO Group), Mumbai
Nikki Golez, Founder, CCO, Passionade Creative, Makati City
Young Huale, Art Director, By-Enjoy Design, Fujian
Chris Rowson, Head of Creative, Good Drinks Australia, Perth

Europe & UK

Marta Cerdà Alimbau, freelance designer, Barcelona (YG6)
Suvi Lähde, ECD, SEK, part of Grey, Helsinki
Roxana Nita, ECD, BBDO Bucharest
Hamish Shand, Founder, ECD, Boundless Brand Design, London
Paul Watmough-Halim, ECD, Co-founder, Hyperfocus, Berlin

Latin America

Julia Martinez Diana, Graphic & Type Designer, Antipixel Type Studio, Buenos Aires
Diego Guerhardt, ECD, Fbiz WPP, São Paulo
Fermín Guerrero, Type Designer, Art Director, Fuerte, Montevideo

Middle East & Africa

Elie Antaky, Associate Creative Director, Impact BBDO, Beirut
Oyindamola Fakile, Chief Creative Alchemist, Thwind, Lagos
Nhlanhla Ngcobo, Group ECD, VML Johannesburg, Randburg

US & Canada

Christopher Brand, VP, Creative Director, The Crown Publishing Group, New York (YG13)
Amy Crawford, VP, Creative Development, MassiveMusic, New York
Julien Hébert, Lead Designer, Principal, Montréal (YG17)
Sue Murphy, Senior Global Director of Design, The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta
Joaquin Salim, Group Creative Director, Anomaly, New York (YG15)
Ellese Shell, Executive Producer, Cut+Run, New York
Kenesha Sneed, Creative Director, Head of Design, BUCK, Los Angeles
Siavosh Zabeti, Creative Director, Apple, Los Angeles (YG12)

The complete list of all ADC Young Guns 24 judges can be viewed here.

The online entry system is now open, with the reduced-fee regular deadline of August 27, 2026, and final deadline September 24, 2026. Winners will be announced in January 2027, with the YG24 awards ceremony and party slated for January 27, 2027 in New York.

The renowned competitions regularly attract entries from upwards of 45 countries, with more than half coming from outside the US.

All ADC Young Guns winners receive a unique version of the iconic ADC Young Guns Cube, designed exclusively for this year’s incoming class, and have their permanent profile page added to the YG website.

Winners also receive a complimentary one-year One Club for Creativity membership, permanent membership in the YG network, a chance to be featured in YG events and an assortment of career-boosting opportunities from YG sponsors.

Past ADC Young Guns include rising stars who went on to become leaders in their chosen fields, including Oscar-winning film director duo DANIELS (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) (YG14), “Top Gun Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski (YG4); graphic designers James Victore (YG1), Stefan Sagmeister (YG1), Natasha Jen (YG4) and Jessica Walsh (YG8); artist/designer Rich Tu (YG8); ad creatives Rei Inamoto (YG4) and Menno Kluin (YG6); illustrators Christoph Niemann (YG2) and Deanne Cheuk (YG4); fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond (YG14); artist/filmmaker Calmatic (YG16); director/photographer India Sleem (YG17); typographers Alex Trochut (YG6) and Gemma O’Brien (YG13); animation artist Todd St. John (YG1), and others.

ADC Young Guns 24 branding and YG Cube trophy were created by Brooklyn-based independent illustrator and designer Chantal Jahchan, a winner in last year’s YG23 competition.

For more information and to enter, please visit the ADC Young Guns 24 website.

ABOUT THE ONE CLUB FOR CREATIVITY

The One Club for Creativity – home of The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) awards, ONE Asia Creative Awards, Type Directors Club TDC competition and scholarships, ADC Young Guns, Young Ones Student Awards, Next Creative Leaders, ONE School, ONE Creator Lab, Where Are All The Black People conference and career fair, Portfolio Night, Creative Week, and more – is the world’s foremost non-profit organization whose mission is to support and celebrate the success of the global creative community. Revenue generated from entries to its global awards shows goes back into the industry to fund programs that support industry access, creative education, professional development, and enhancement of creative careers around the world.

NatureSweet and 270B Debut Lovable "Teamatoes" in "Taste All The Good" Campai

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:20:00 +0000

NatureSweet has debuted its charming crew of new brand mascots, the Teamatoes, to the world for the first time in "Taste All the Good," a new digital campaign that brings the brand's characters into a live-action environment.

Created by 270B, the creative agency awarded AOR for NatureSweet earlier this year, the campaign introduces the brand’s new positioning unifying both flavor and purpose. It pairs the introduction of the Teamatoes with the brand's new creative direction centered on celebrating incredible flavor, joyful moments, and the belief that when things are done right, life tastes better.

Travis Laveault, Director of Omnichannel & Digital Marketing notes, "Behind every creative spot is months of insight, creativity, and collaboration. We're excited to bring this campaign to audiences and thank everyone who helped make it happen, especially our agency partners at 270B."

In the hero spot, guests enjoy NatureSweet tomatoes as appetizers at a gathering while animated Teamatoes playfully point guests toward the food, adding charm to each moment eager to give snackers what they crave, ensuring each guest has the perfect bite. Designed to be universally understood, emotionally resonant, and flexible across social channels, the Teamatoes embody the heart of the NatureSweet brand while building memory and meaning through their consistent, lovable presence. The spot wraps with the pod label revealing the NatureSweet Associate before it closes, ensuring that “all the good” is shown: the delicious tomatoes and the amazing people who make them possible.

The landing page introduces the campaign's new characters while showcasing the NatureSweet product portfolio and inspiring consumers with fresh recipe ideas and product uses. People can spend more time with the Teamatoes in a game called “Reveal the Good,” seeking them out in a variety of illustrated scenes. Featured recipes link out to NatureSweet’s Instagram, showing people the delicious uses for the products.

The "Taste All the Good" campaign showcases multiple snacking occasions across different settings while highlighting the brand's signature pod packaging, including its portability and easy opening design. To bring the Teamatoes into a live-action environment, 270B transformed characters that first appeared on NatureSweet packaging in early 2026 into fully realized 3D personalities. They refined the Teamatoes through multiple rounds of development, including 360-degree turntables, lighting, shading, color, and animation, naturally translating their 2D design into a three-dimensional world.

During production, clay Teamato stand-ins established blocking and framing before the final visual effects were integrated into each scene. The production, helmed by Republic, required close collaboration between the creative, production, editorial, and visual effects teams to seamlessly blend the animated characters into live-action footage.

The campaign launched across digital platforms in select DMAs.

Wolfgang and Teremana Turn a Game Into a Global Celebration of Connection

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:01:00 +0000

There may be no two greater symbols of connection than a table and a soccer pitch. One has brought people together for centuries. The other has united nations for generations.

Last week, the two came together at a record-breaking brand experience: The World Table. Created by Los Angeles-based creative agency Wolfgang and Teremana® Tequila, the activation set the Guinness World Record for the world's longest foosball table while bringing fans from across the globe together.

On July 11th, at Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York City, fans gathered around a custom-built 525-foot foosball table, with bespoke artwork representing 48 different nations, to play one epic match. More than a feat of engineering, The World Table brought more than 500 strangers together as teammates, creating one shared moment that proved that connection is bigger than competition.

The experience is a continuation of Teremana's brand platform, “Share the Table. Share the Mana.”

"Tables have a kind of magnetism. They pull people together," said Mike Van Linda, Executive Creative Director at Wolfgang. "That’s true throughout history, and it’s still true today. Every four years, soccer does the same thing on a global scale. We wanted to bring those worlds together and give people a one-of-a-kind shared experience that just happened to break a world record along the way.”

Throughout the day, attendees played on the record-breaking table, customized jerseys inspired by the participating nations, collected personalized player cards, captured the moment at custom photo installations, and enjoyed Teremana cocktails. Actor Jay Pharoah and ESPN’s Laura Rutledge kept the energy high with live commentary and fan interviews.

At the heart of the experience is Teremana's philosophy of Mana—the belief that good energy becomes more powerful when it's shared. The World Table turned that philosophy into something tangible, inviting people from different backgrounds to gather around one epic table to create a shared moment in history.

ABOUT WOLFGANG

Wolfgang is a creative agency based in Los Angeles. The agency helps ambitious brands evolve through bold strategy, cultural insights, and breakthrough creative campaigns.

ABOUT TERMANA® TEQUILA

Teremana® is a premium, small-batch tequila founded by Dwayne Johnson, Jenna Fagnan, Ken Austin and Dany Garcia. Crafted under the brand's unique NOM, 1613 at Destilería Teremana® De Agave nestled in the highest peaks of the Jalisco highlands, Teremana® offers three distinct expressions - Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo. Each bottle is meticulously crafted from 100% fully mature agave, slow roasted in traditional brick ovens, and distilled in handmade copper pot stills. Rooted in the principles of quality and accessibility, Teremana® Tequila is marketed by Siete Bucks Spirits, which oversees production standards, compliance, and regulatory alignment. Teremana® embodies the spirit of Mana, a powerful force that inspires us to foster good energy, bring people together, and do the right thing.

Edmunds Helps Car Shoppers Make the Right Call in New Ad Starring Dodgers’ Tommy Edman

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:25:57 +0000

National car-shopping resource Edmunds wants car shoppers to make the right call—literally—in “The Challenge,” an LA-first social ad campaign featuring Los Angeles Dodgers’ superutility player Tommy Edman. Directed and produced entirely in-house, the ad series targets a deliberately narrow audience and runs in Los Angeles and select markets nationwide across Meta platforms today through mid-September.

The ad spot is the latest element of Edmunds’ “Back to Back” brand campaign, an extended partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Edman for the 2026 season. Through the campaign, fans will discover how they can use Edmunds to browse millions of new and used vehicle listings and get a free appraisal with up to three offers on their current car.

In the ad, Edman calls out the biggest pain points of driving in Los Angeles, from heavy traffic to high gas prices and today’s challenging affordability conditions. Developed for sports fans, the social-native commercial plays on the familiar concept of challenging a close call. Edmunds uses the concept as an extended metaphor, showing shoppers how its digital tools help them to make a more informed, confident call on their next vehicle purchase.

“Much like baseball, car buying is a tough game even under the most ideal conditions. Edmunds is reminding shoppers that even in a challenging market, there’s always an opportunity to make a better call,” said Alison Steinlauf Anziska, Edmunds' senior vice president of marketing. “We’re proud to continue our work with Tommy Edman, an athlete who always makes the right calls on the field.”

Creative Strategy: Reaching Real Fans by Leaning Into the Baseball Zeitgeist

"In marketing, the ultimate trap is trying to please everyone and ending up delivering less value to the consumers you’re actually trying to reach,” said Benny Gee, creative director at Edmunds. “With this campaign, we picked a specific audience and built a concept crafted entirely for them: the sports fan. By leaning into this niche world, we created something that speaks directly to them while positioning Edmunds as the ultimate consumer advocate that gives shoppers absolute confidence in the deal they’re getting."

Delivered in a question-and-answer format, the creative is built for short-form social video and runs across Meta platforms in punchy 30-, 15- and 6-second cuts, with high-energy, quick-cut editing to keep audiences engaged.

“There's an old industry belief: If the work really matters, you have to use an agency for it. For almost a decade, that's what we did too,” said Gee. “This time, we built it ourselves — start to finish. We know our brand better than anyone we could hire. That's why the idea survives the way it was pitched — because it's actually ours.”

Edmunds Goes Back-to-Back with Tommy Edman in Latest Ad

Tommy Edman is the face of Edmunds’ hero ad campaign for a second consecutive season. The partnership coincides with the versatile switch-hitter’s second full season as a Dodger (third overall) and back-to-back championships with the Boys in Blue.

“Baseball fans know the importance of making the right call, and bringing that idea into the ad with Edmunds was a fun way to speak directly to them,” said Edman. “This campaign is all about showing people that Edmunds can help them make the right calls when it’s time to shop for a car, whether they need an unbiased vehicle review, a quick gut check on a price, or a clear look at what their current car is actually worth.”

“Where’s the Love for LA Drivers?”

“The Challenge” launches at a critical moment as car shoppers face significant affordability headwinds. New-car prices have climbed nearly 30% since 2019, and rising interest rates, insurance, repair costs and gas prices have pushed average monthly payments to a historic high of $777, with buyers, at record levels, stretching loan terms out to seven years or longer.

“This campaign is our effort to connect more consumers with Edmunds’ research and budgeting tools so they can navigate today’s market conditions with confidence," said Anziska.

Building on Momentum: Deepening Ties with Sports Fans

“Back to Back” is the latest in a series of Edmunds campaigns built for sports fans. From “Name of the Game” in 2024 to 2025’s “Edman on the Street,” Edmunds has built a roster of professional athletes with names that sound like Edmunds, positioning the brand as the resource shoppers turn to when beginning a journey to buy or sell a car. “Edman on the Street” earned Gold recognition in the Association of National Advertisers’ In-House Excellence Awards earlier this year. The sports focus is grounded in third-party data showing strong overlap between car shoppers and sports fans.

Last year’s campaign, which also included an Original Tommy’s cheeseburger combo giveaway on National Cheeseburger Day, drove a 111% increase in Google searches for "Edmunds" and a 22-point lift in ad recall in Los Angeles, more than double benchmark levels, along with gains in engagement and appraisal activity.

Driving in More Runs This Season

Dodgers fans will engage with Edmunds across multiple platforms and fan experiences through the rest of the 2026 season. In August, Edmunds will launch a sweepstakes featuring VIP Dodgers gameday experiences, including an on-field batting practice viewing, a private stadium tour, premium seats, and transportation to and from the game.

Edmunds will also have an in-stadium presence at select Dodgers home games in August, featuring its car-shopping experts and fun giveaways. Toward the end of the season, Edmunds will reveal the results of a Dodgers fan survey on car ownership and shopping habits, along with a video featuring Tommy Edman’s reaction to the results.

ABOUT EDMUNDS

Edmunds guides car shoppers online from research to purchase. With in-depth reviews of every new vehicle, shopping tips from an in-house team of experts, plus a wealth of consumer and automotive market insights, Edmunds helps millions of shoppers each month select, price and buy a car with confidence. Regarded as one of America's best workplaces by Newsweek, Fortune, Great Place to Work and Built In, Edmunds is based in Santa Monica, California. Follow us on TikTok, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Channel 4 Encourages New Thinking on Class Representation with Next Iteration of Diversity in Advertising Award

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:40:27 +0000

Channel 4 Sales has today launched the eleventh edition of its annual Diversity in Advertising Awards, offering £1 million worth of advertising airtime to support work that champions more authentic representation in advertising.

This year’s iteration focuses on class, asking brands and agencies to challenge outdated stereotypes and better represent the lives, agency and influence of working-class people across the UK.

A 2024 YouGov survey found that 56% of Britons consider themselves working class, while a 2025 report from the Social Mobility Commission similarly found that 53% of the public identify as working class.

Despite this, early findings from Channel 4’s upcoming seventh Mirror On The Industry audit reveals a stark contrast in representation in adverts, with only 11% of characters identified as working class compared to 41% as middle class.

Working-class people are also heavily depicted through the lens of their jobs, with characters more than three times as likely to be shown in a uniform (37%) compared with the total sample (11%).

The Diversity in Advertising Award encourages advertisers to create more accurately representative campaigns, with inclusive, stereotype-free thinking embedded within the creative process, reflecting the intersectional diversity of working-class communities.

Rak Patel, Chief Commercial Officer at Channel 4 states, “Over the past decade, Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award has helped drive meaningful change across the industry, while proving that inclusive advertising delivers results. This year, we're challenging brands to rethink how working-class people are represented in advertising and bring forward fresh ideas that reflect one of the UK's largest and most influential audiences.”

The initiative also encourages the meaningful involvement of working-class creatives and consultants behind the scenes.

The winning brand will receive £1 million worth of Channel 4 advertising airtime across the broadcaster’s linear, streaming, and social platforms. An additional five shortlist entries will also be offered up to £250,000 of match funded commercial ad space.

Amy Jenkins, Sales Leader at Channel 4, adds, “More than half of people in the UK identify as working class, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in advertising. By entering this initiative, brands have an opportunity to reach an audience whose considerable spending power and influence is often overlooked, while creating work that resonates more strongly with modern Britain.”

The long-standing Diversity in Advertising Award sits at the heart of Channel 4 Sales' Business for Good initiatives, demonstrating how advertising can drive both positive social impact and commercial success. Previous winners have included campaigns from Maltesers, Lloyds, Starbucks, Vanish, E45, Currys and Tesco.

Competition entries for 2026’s Diversity in Advertising Award must be submitted by 1^st October 2026.

Further details and how to enter Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award are available here: Channel 4 Sales website – Business for Good

E*TRADE Launches Crypto Trading With New 'What's Next' Campaign by 72andSunny and Park Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:24:58 +0000

E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley has unveiled its latest brand campaign, "What's Next," celebrating the launch of cryptocurrency trading on its award-winning platform. Created by 72andSunny New York and produced by Park Pictures, the campaign marks the newest chapter of the brand's "More to Love" platform.

The new film places crypto within the broader history of financial innovation, illustrating how groundbreaking investment opportunities often begin as unfamiliar concepts before becoming part of everyday investing. With clients now able to buy, sell and trade Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana on E*TRADE's platform—supported by insights from Morgan Stanley—the campaign positions crypto as the next evolution in trading.

The integrated campaign launched today across multiple channels, including:

A national video rollout timed to major sports and cultural events, including MLB All-Star Weekend and the Home Run Derby.
Social activations designed to spark conversation across Reddit and X, reaching investors where they are most active.
A first-to-market Reddit execution featuring a custom tap-to-engage unit displaying real-time cryptocurrency pricing.

The spot, titled "What's Next," traces the evolution of trading across different eras, showing that every major financial shift once seemed unfamiliar before becoming mainstream. By connecting historical moments of innovation with today's crypto landscape, the campaign reinforces E*TRADE's position at the forefront of modern investing.

Juliana Cobb, Chief Creative Officer at 72andSunny New York, said: "E*TRADE is an innovator who's always been at the forefront of modern trading, so what better way to show the latest evolution – hello, crypto! – than to go back to the beginning?"

Park Pictures director Nathan Price added: "It's a film about the underdogs of history who had the temerity to embrace the new. A goat herder, a princeling on the make, cash mad pirates, a Reagan-era PC day trader. We wanted you to feel their vividness — the character actors, the richness of costume and place, and a camera hungry for their energy, hungry for life."

Andrea Zaretsky, Chief Marketing Officer of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and ETRADE, said: "'What's Next' dives into ETRADE's next frontier—crypto. The launch is a perfect example of what we want to convey in our More to Love campaign. Clients now have a seamless, integrated experience through the award-winning E*TRADE platform, with the confidence and trust that comes from being part of Morgan Stanley. With this campaign, we're shining a light on how we meet investors at every step of their financial journey—whether they're just starting out, experienced active traders, or planning for retirement."

CREDITS

Creative Agency: 72andSunny New York
Production Company: Park Pictures
Director: Nathan Price
Editorial: Work
Color: Rare Medium
Sound Design & Mix: Concrete Form
VFX Studio: Untold

The Evolution of Digital Marketing for Modern Businesses

noreply@blogger.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:09:35 +0000

The digital marketing landscape has undergone a profound transformation over the past two decades. What began as simple banner advertisements and basic email directories has evolved into a highly sophisticated, data-driven ecosystem powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time analytics. For modern businesses, navigating this complex environment requires a continuous adaptation of strategies, tools, and partnerships to ensure sustained growth and market relevance.

From Mass Media to Hyper-Personalization

Historically, marketing was a broadcast medium. Companies relied on television, radio, and print advertisements to reach broad audiences, hoping that a small percentage of viewers would convert into customers. While this approach was effective for building mass brand awareness, it lacked precision and was incredibly expensive. The advent of search engines and social media platforms shifted the paradigm, allowing businesses to target consumers based on their specific interests, behaviors, and search intent.

Today, the focus has shifted from broad targeting to hyper-personalization. Consumers expect brands to understand their unique needs and deliver tailored content at every touchpoint of their buying journey. This level of personalization requires a deep integration of customer data platforms, content management systems, and automated marketing tools. Businesses that fail to deliver personalized experiences risk losing their audience to more agile competitors who leverage data to build stronger customer relationships.

The Rise of Search and Organic Visibility

Among the various digital marketing channels, organic search remains one of the most powerful and cost-effective drivers of long-term business growth. Unlike paid advertising, which stops generating leads the moment the budget is exhausted, search engine optimization builds permanent digital equity. Appearing at the top of organic search results establishes natural trust and credibility with consumers, who view top-ranking websites as industry leaders.

However, achieving and maintaining top rankings is more challenging than ever. Search engine algorithms are constantly updated to prioritize user experience, content depth, and technical site health. Modern search optimization requires a holistic approach that combines high-quality content creation, flawless technical architecture, and strategic authority building. Partnering with specialized agencies like Howling Media allows businesses to navigate these complexities and build a robust digital presence that withstands algorithmic shifts.

The Integration of AI and Automation

Artificial intelligence is the latest force disrupting the digital marketing industry. From predictive analytics and automated content generation to conversational chatbots and programmatic ad buying, AI is enabling marketers to work with unprecedented speed and efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, businesses can focus their resources on high-level strategy, creative development, and relationship building, driving better campaign performance and higher returns on investment.

Despite the power of automation, the human element remains essential. Successful marketing campaigns require a balance of data-driven insights and creative storytelling. While AI can analyze consumer behavior and optimize ad placements, it cannot replicate the emotional resonance of a well-crafted brand narrative. The future of marketing lies in the collaboration between human creativity and machine intelligence, allowing brands to build deeper connections with their audiences.

Building a Sustainable Digital Strategy

To build a sustainable digital strategy, businesses must focus on diversification. Relying on a single marketing channel, such as paid search or social media, leaves a brand vulnerable to sudden policy changes, algorithm updates, or cost increases. A diversified approach that combines organic search, content marketing, email campaigns, and targeted paid media ensures steady lead generation and brand visibility across multiple touchpoints.

For businesses looking to explore the technical standards of modern web development, reviewing the W3C Web Standards is highly recommended. Additionally, staying updated on search engine guidelines via the official Google Search Central Documentation is essential for maintaining long-term compliance and organic visibility in a highly competitive digital marketplace.

First-Ever Type-High Winners Announced In Global TDC72 Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:06:12 +0000

The global Type Directors Club announced its first-ever Type-High awards winners in its prestigious TDC72 competition, unveiled at a special awards ceremony and exhibition at The Lighthouse in Brooklyn.

This marks the first time the global organization has awarded its newly created physical Type-High Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, along with continuing to present its prestigious TDC Certificate of Merit honors. Type-High awards were named and designed by longtime TDC collaborator, life member, and organization Chairman Emeritus Graham Clifford.

Overall, 13 Gold, 26 Silver, 28 Bronze, and 92 Certificates of Merit were awarded this year

Leading the way as TCD72 Best of Discipline winners were:

Communication Design: SMLXL New York with Mallandrich Barcelona “Spatial Festival 2025” for Spatial Festival
Lettering: Neighbour Co. Hong Kong SAR China “Tattour 2025 Identity” for Tattour
Type Design: Adobe Tokyo “Momochidori Variable Font”, designed by Ryoko Nishizuka and Frank Grießhammer.

Thirteen entries were awarded TDC’s first Type-High Gold awards, as follows:

Adobe Tokyo “Momochidori Variable Font” in Type Design, Text + Display Typefaces, Variable Font, designed by Ryoko Nishizuka and Frank Grießhammer.
Base Design New York “12 Matcha” for 12 Matcha in Communication Design, Print or Digital, Brand Identity System
Daniel Frumhoff Design New York “Stanford d.school Yearbook ’24” for Stanford University d.school in Lettering, Publication/Editorial, Editorial/Catalog/Magazine, lettering by Hulises Ortiz and Zrinka Buljubašić.
Mălin Neamțu The Hague “Segmentor” personal project in Type Design, Text + Display Typefaces, Multiple Axis Type Family
Neighbour Co. Hong Kong SAR China “Tattour 2025 Identity” for Tattour in Lettering, Other
Omnicom Chicago with Omnicom Production Chicago and Pes Motion Studio Chicago “Caption with Intention” for Rakish Entertainment in Communication Design, Motion, Closed Captions/Subtitles
Shira Inbar New York with Ahmed Klink New York and Tom Van der Borght Ghent “Who Is The Sky?” — Album Art for David Byrne in Communication Design, Print, Packaging Design
SMLXL New York with Mallandrich Barcelona “Spatial Festival 2025” for Spatial Festival in Communication Design, Motion, Animated Posters
Studio Dumbar/DEPT Rotterdam with OpenAI Creative Studio San Francisco “OpenAI DevDay 2025” for OpenAI in Communication Design, Motion, Kinetic Typography
Studio Dumbar/DEPT Rotterdam with OpenAI Creative Studio San Francisco “OpenAI DevDay 2025” for OpenAI in Communication Design, Other, Non-traditional Media
Tarek Atrissi Design Barcelona “From Bauhaus to Mecca Exhibition Design” for The Design Museum Den Bosch, The Netherlands in Lettering, Environmental Design, Installation/Environmental Design
The New York Times Magazine “Inside the Collapse of the F.D.A.” in Communication Design, Publication/Editorial, Book/Magazine Cover
Underware The Hague “Herby, a holographic typeface” in Type Design, Text + Display Typefaces, Multiple Axis Type Family

TDC72 entrants with the most overall Type-High awards and Certificate of Merit wins were Studio Dumbar/DEPT Rotterdam with two Golds, two Silvers, and a Certificate of Merit, and SMLXL New York with one Gold, two Silvers, one Bronze, and a Certificate of Merit.

This year’s esteemed global jury of leading professionals in the field from around the world awarded 13 Golds, 26 Silvers, 28 Bronzes, and 93 Certificates of Merit. As per TDC competition tradition, the jury also made their personal TDC72 Judges Choice selections from among all of this year’s winners.

TCD72 winners represented 40 countries and regions, led by the United States with 93, Mainland China with 23, Netherlands and Spain with nine each, and the United Kingdom with seven.

Along with receiving Type-High or Certificate of Merit awards, TCD72 winners receive a digital seal certifying their work is among the world’s best of the year. Winning work will also be featured in the highly respected TDC Annual, The World’s Best Typography® (published in September), and showcased in a number of exhibitions that travel to museums, schools, and design organizations around the world.

TDC72 winners are also part of The One Club for Creativity’s prestigious Global Creative Rankings, earning points alongside winners in The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Art Director Club of Europe (ADCE), and ONE Asia Creative Awards, to chart the world’s leading independent creatives, design firms, ad agencies, production companies, and brands.

Jury Presidents for the TDC72 competition were Lisa Smith, Global Chief Design Officer, Uncommon Creative Studio, New York for Communication Design; Mary Kate McDevitt, illustrator, hand-letterer, and designer based in Philadelphia for Lettering, and Aleksandra Samuļenkova, type designer based in Haarlem, for Type Design.

The complete showcase of TDC72 winners can be viewed here.

How Luxury Lymphatic Massage Destin Enhances Your Wellness Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

How Luxury Lymphatic Massage Destin Enhances Your Wellness Experience

In the fast-paced world of agency life, professionals often seek effective and personalized approaches to maintain their well-being. One such transformative approach is the Luxury Lymphatic Massage Destin, a specialized treatment that enhances your wellness experience by focusing on the body's lymphatic system. This article explores the numerous benefits of this massage technique and how it fits seamlessly into a comprehensive wellness ecosystem. By understanding its effects on both physical and mental health, you can make an informed decision to incorporate it into your self-care routine.

How Luxury Lymphatic Massage Transforms Your Wellness Journey

The Luxury Lymphatic Massage Destin is more than a mere indulgence; it is a pivotal component of a holistic health assessment. This massage technique utilizes gentle and rhythmic movements to stimulate the lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body and supporting the immune system. Integrative health coaches often recommend lymphatic massage as part of a broader wellness strategy, aiding in the reduction of swelling and promoting the body's natural ability to heal.

Incorporating this treatment into your wellness journey can significantly enhance the effectiveness of other therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC), such as regular exercise and nutritional psychology. By fostering a balanced internal environment, the massage complements other health interventions and facilitates a more comprehensive approach to well-being.

A study highlighted in a recent publication by the National Institutes of Health shows that individuals who integrate lymphatic massage into their wellness regimens often report improved energy levels and a heightened sense of vitality, underscoring its role in a successful health behavior change model.

Experience the Rejuvenating Effects of Lymphatic Drainage

The rejuvenating effects of lymphatic drainage are well-documented within the realm of evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine (EBCAM). This technique not only aids in detoxification but also supports the body's natural resilience training protocol. By encouraging the removal of toxins and excess fluid, lymphatic massage can lead to a noticeable reduction in the appearance of bloating and fatigue, making it an ideal choice for agency professionals who face demanding schedules.

Moreover, the massage has a profound impact on mental wellness. By reducing physical discomfort, it enables practitioners to engage more effectively in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practices. This synergy between physical and mental health is a cornerstone of the biopsychosocial model, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of body and mind in overall wellness.

According to the American Heart Association, regular engagement in relaxation techniques such as lymphatic massage can contribute to lower blood pressure and improved cardiovascular health, further reinforcing its value in a comprehensive wellness program evaluation.

Enhancing Relaxation and Stress Relief through Massage Therapy

For agency professionals, relaxation and stress relief are not mere luxuries but necessities for maintaining productivity and mental clarity. Luxury lymphatic massage provides a unique opportunity to unwind and recharge, as it targets the body's stress response systems. By reducing cortisol levels, this massage technique supports emotional freedom techniques (EFT), which are designed to release emotional blockages and foster a sense of calm.

Furthermore, lymphatic massage can be a vital part of a self-care audit, helping individuals assess and refine their personal wellness strategies. By prioritizing relaxation, you can enhance your capacity to manage stress and improve your overall quality of life. This approach aligns with the principles of the health literacy assessment, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health practices.

By incorporating lymphatic massage into your routine, you can achieve a state of deep relaxation that facilitates the healing and recovery of both body and mind, providing a solid foundation for sustained professional performance.

Integrating Luxury Lymphatic Massage into Your Self-Care Routine

Integrating luxury lymphatic massage into your self-care routine requires thoughtful planning and commitment. Begin by scheduling regular sessions with a qualified therapist who understands the unique needs of agency professionals. This proactive step not only enhances physical health but also supports mental well-being.

Client journey mapping can be an effective tool in this process, allowing individuals to track their progress and adjust their wellness strategies as needed. By documenting the benefits experienced after each session, you can tailor your approach to ensure maximum benefit and satisfaction.

Ultimately, this form of massage therapy serves as a pivotal component in a comprehensive self-care routine. Its integration can lead to improved resilience, greater energy levels, and a more profound sense of well-being, all of which are essential in navigating the demands of agency life.

Conclusion

Luxury lymphatic massage offers a myriad of benefits that enhance your wellness experience, particularly for those engaged in the agency sector. By incorporating this specialized treatment into your self-care routine, you can support both physical and mental health, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Embrace this opportunity to elevate your wellness journey and discover the profound impact it can have on your overall well-being.

Elo Unearths Letter from Pelé in New Messaging that Inspires Brazilians’ National Pride

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:17:00 +0000

At a moment of reflection for Brazilian football, Elo, the 100% Brazilian payment technology company, is rolling out a moving campaign focused on the last letter from Pelé, published on his social media four years ago. The film is part of the brand’s strategy of embracing the Brazilian fan base. It brings a welcome message about our shared faith, hope, and resilience, while reminding us of the importance of supporting the national team and the value of unity far beyond the bleachers.

The film, created by AlmapBBDO, highlights powerful scenes from Pelé’s career as it presents his last letter, read in his voice with the support of artificial intelligence. In it, he reflects on dreams, life’s generosity in offering second chances, and the passion that unites the country around sports. The campaign premiered on national TV, as well as on digital and OOH media; it will also be publicized on the social media of former national team stars Cafu, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, and Zico.

“Whether we’re celebrating a championship or grappling with an elimination, our support for the team is something all Brazilians share,” says Mel Pedroso, CMO at Elo. “As a brand, we embrace everything that’s extraordinary about our country. The ‘King’ built a legacy that transcends borders, sports, and even time. By paying tribute to the Brazilian fan base with Pelé’s very words, reinforcing a message of unity beyond football, we’re paying tribute to Brazil.”

The initiative is part of Elo’s stance as “the card of Brazilians,” supporting projects and people who represent the nation’s soul and reflect the creativity, resilience, and excellence of its culture. Now, the brand is taking the next step as “the card of Brazilian fans,” a campaign kicked off in January of this year, which has already included films featuring actor Wagner Moura and poet Michel Melamed.

Pele’s letter was published in full on Elo’s website.

Volkswagen Honours the UK’s 50-year GTI Love Affair in Anniversary Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:57:52 +0000

Volkswagen is celebrating 50 years of the GTI with a new campaign by Bernbach, which recognises the enduring love affair that fans have for the iconic hot hatchback.

This campaign shows how the GTI has inspired five decades of passion in its drivers and the 60-second film is centred on showcasing a timeline of the car from the 1970s right up to this year’s anniversary-special Golf GTI Edition 50.

At the heart of the film is the story of the people who’ve loved the GTI, from a little girl in 1976 excitedly watching her dad arrive home in their new Mk1 GTI, through to a man showing that same passion as he sees the new model for the first time. There’s also a glimpse of the future with an appearance from the ID. Polo GTI.

Alongside the evolution of the GTI itself, the film ‘50 Years of Pure Passion’ celebrates the engineering and design details that have made the GTI iconic in each era, from the badge, alloys, steering wheel and gear shift, and nostalgic touches such as the cassette and CD players that defined their time.

Directed by Billy Boyd Cape with Academy Films, the visual style evolves with the passage of time, shot with the cameras and technology of each era. Starting with what looks like home movie footage, followed by the camcorder and disposable camera aesthetics of the ‘90s, the film moves into video gaming and smartphone social content that defines modern media.

It also celebrates how much the GTI has become part of our culture, with glimpses of fans from a small boy to a 93-year-old grandfather, a bride using it as her wedding car, and even someone’s Golf Mk3 GTI tattoo.

The campaign launched across cinema, television, VOD and social channels, running in the UK until October.

Sarah Cox-Thornley, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: "People all over the world have memories that are intertwined with GTI cars. We wanted to celebrate that and give people an enjoyable trip down memory lane. Celebrating 50 years of pure passion has been an absolute joy for the team, replicating real customer stories and featuring some of our fans’ own content is a true honour. Having such equity in these 3 letters - G.T.I - is something we had to celebrate in this milestone year."

Sam Lecoeur, Chief Client Officer, said: “For 50 years, the GTI has captured the hearts of drivers, so it was a real joy, alongside the brilliant team at Volkswagen, to celebrate the iconic role it has played in UK culture over generations.”

Conceived as a passion project by a small team at Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg headquarters before going on sale in 1976, the GTI has gone on to become one of the world’s most celebrated performance cars. To date, 2.5 million have been sold globally, there are 1.3 million videos on TikTok with the GTI hashtag, and over 200,000 attendees at the last GTI Spring Fest, held at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire.

The Beautiful Game Meets The Beauty of British Columbia at FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:51:13 +0000

Imagine getting to play football in locations never before possible, from coastal shorelines to alpine settings. In a first-of-its-kind activation, Destination BC, working with Zulu Alpha Kilo (Z.A.K.), has launched the Super, Natural British Columbia Home Pitch: A Football Experience. Taking place from June 11 through July 19 at FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, the immersive experience inspires fans participating in 2026 World Cup festivities to further explore all the wonders British Columbia has to offer.

Working with production company Wildfire Experiential + Events, who collaborated with Unit 9 Productions, Home Pitch surrounds an ordinary soccer pitch with a custom 12,000-square-foot multi-sensory experience, combining 360º LED screen visuals with spatial soundscapes. With a changing, unique playing pitch that draws imagery from iconic routes and places within the province, Home Pitch blends sport, story, and place into a living environment for fans to play within.

Bold visuals draw fans toward Home Pitch from across the FIFA Fan Festival™ with an invitation to experience football like never before. After a Host First Nations welcome video from Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, fans are immersed with sound, light, and atmosphere that place them in six different beautiful landscapes spanning mountain peaks, coastal horizons, and ancient forests. The immersive experience surrounds a fully playable indoor pitch for fans to play with their friends, participate in skills clinics, and watch Indigenous performances.

“British Columbia is home to some of the most diverse natural landscapes on earth. Yet when travelers picture the province, their vision narrows to a few select places,” said Maya Lange, Vice President of Global Marketing, Destination BC. “The arrival of FIFA World Cup 26™ in Vancouver as a host city, gave us a unique opportunity to raise awareness for the rest of British Columbia’s incredible landscapes and culture, and marry the beautiful game with the beauty of our nature.”

With Brand Ambassadors available to provide guidance and information, and an on-site Clubhouse further highlighting environments throughout British Columbia, Home Pitch converts tournament energy into broad travel interest. Running through July 19, the activation has already welcomed nearly 40,000 visitors as of July 5—with more than 10,000 visitors on opening weekend alone—inspiring exploration beyond Vancouver both during and after their visit.

“We’re incredibly excited by this activation, and the deep thoughtfulness that went into creating it,” said Tim Gordon, Chief Creative Officer, Zulu Alpha Kilo. “Home Pitch is the result of bi-coastal collaboration between all three of Z.A.K.’s offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and New York to create a truly one-of-a-kind immersive experience that not only feels authentic to an incredibly diverse province, but harnesses the energy of the World Cup and delivers a truly thrilling and creative experience for visiting fans.”

SAND Gives Paleontological Society a Brand Update

noreply@blogger.com (Rey B) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:11:09 +0000

When the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences, AAPS, decided to update their brand identity and logo, they tracked down Grant Sanders, founder of SAND for the assignment.

Sanders explains why that was not easy. “AAPS Board member and college friend, Geoff Notkin got in touch while I was on my trip around the world and I was able to create a new logo for this established non-profit.”

“The ideas were generated in the Galapagos Islands, refined in Mexico City and finalized in Japan, Sanders added.

Each piece features custom created handwriting, stamps, photos and weathered typography for an authentic look and feel.

“The rebranding for the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences is a project of major significance to the organization and the worldwide paleontology community," said Geoffrey Notkin President of the AAPS, “So, of course, I turned to Grant Sanders of SAND Studio. We have known each other for decades and have worked together on several projects including creative for the National Space Society."

ABOUT AAPS

AAPS, the Association ofApplied Paleontological Sciences was founded in 1978 to create a organization of professional fossil dealers, collectors, enthusiasts, and academic paleontologists for the purpose of promoting ethical collecting practices and cooperative liaisons with researchers, instructors, curators and exhibit managers in the paleontological academic and museum community.

ABOUT SAND

SAND, which stands for Strategy, Art, Narrative, Design, is a hybrid creative and strategy consultancy founded by Grant Sanders, blending the depth of a traditional ad agency with the agility of freelance creative services. With decades of experience spanning agency ownership, creative direction, and client-side marketing, SAND specializes in innovative ideas, brand robustness, and strategic communications. Clients past and present include: Munich Re Insurance, HSB, Nourish Nantucket, The Connecticut Forum, The Undefeated/ESPN, National Space Society, Nantucket Dreamland Foundation, GE, OTIS Elevator, Fidelco Guide Dogs, ACKSmart Solar, Above: Space Development, Nantucket Shellfish Association, and barrie prints.

Old Spice and RCP Show How Smelling Great Can Change the Game

noreply@blogger.com (Gloria J) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:25:37 +0000

Old Spice, the iconic personal care brand, today launches its most significant UK brand campaign, “Smell Goes a Long Way.” This isn’t just about smelling good; it’s Old Spice showing that a truly great long-lasting scent gives young men an unexpected edge in life, transforming everyday challenges into triumphs.

Created with RCP, the campaign shows that manhood is a mindset, not a milestone you simply reach. It champions the underdog, injecting relatable, UK-centric humour to connect with the British experience.

Exclusive Films: Smell Goes a Long Way in British Summer

Old Spice kicks off with two exclusive UK film shorts demonstrating scent's game-changing power, directed by Fatal Farm’s Jeffrey Max and produced by Agile:

● "Smell Like It Went In": Our hero shanks a crucial penalty. But he smells so good with the Old Spice Sport Power collection, the ref thinks he must have scored. It’s a comedic take on turning blunders into triumphs.

● "Smell Like You Found the Right Tent": Navigating the chaos of summer festivals? With the Old Spice Rockstar Collection, our hero instantly belongs with his surprising new crew. The ultimate festival life hack, keeping him fresh all day and all night.

These high-impact films debut during the World Cup in July, igniting a comprehensive TV, digital, social, and influencer blitz. Further football and festival-themed content will follow throughout summer.

Ella Salkeld, UK Personal Care Brand Director at Procter & Gamble, says,“Old Spice is building real momentum in the UK and ‘Smell Goes a Long Way’ gives us a brand platform to connect with young men in a culturally relevant way. It celebrates the confidence that comes from knowing you smell fresh 24/7 and shows how that small advantage can make a big difference. We're proud to be the UK's #1 men's deodorant stick, reflecting our strong connection with consumers and our significant contribution to the category's growth with our perfume quality scents.”

Mike Plumridge, creative director at RCP, adds,“Life doesn’t always go smoothly. But when you smell great, you carry yourself differently, and that can change how others see you. We loved the idea that something as simple as smelling fresh can quietly tip the odds in your favour. Young men don’t need to have everything figured out, but they can smell like they do.”

Availability:
NEW Old Spice Sport Power and Rockstar Collection, and other ranges are available now at major UK retailers (Tesco, Boots, Amazon, Sainsbury's, Morrisons) and online.

ADCE Creative Week 2026 Returns to Barcelona Connecting Europe’s Creative Community

noreply@blogger.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:46:49 +0000

The Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) returns to Barcelona from 17th to 20th of November 2026 for the second edition of ADCE Creative Week, a four-day festival that brings together Europe's creative community to exchange ideas, build relationships, and celebrate outstanding work.

Hosted at DHub Barcelona, the festival will welcome more than 500 creatives from across the continent through a programme of talks, portfolio reviews, gala ceremonies, and networking events. Designed for creative leaders, emerging talent and students, ADCE Creative Week creates opportunities to connect across disciplines, cultures, and generations.

Built on the belief that the strongest ideas emerge through collaboration, the festival reinforces ADCE's mission to champion European creativity and the people behind it.

Relationships Before Ideas

The theme of the 2026 edition is Relationships, celebrating a simple but often overlooked truth: great work has never come from ideas alone. It comes from trust. It relies on someone willing to back a vision, teammates who challenge conventional thinking, clients who believe in the work, and the communities that help creative ideas grow.

Many people have great ideas. It is relationships that transform those ideas into campaigns, brands, movements, and create impact. Throughout the week, ADCE Creative Week will explore the connections that make creativity possible and the collaborations that continue to shape Europe's creative industry.

A Week Designed for the Entire Creative Community

ADCE Creative Week offers a diverse programme; together, these activities create a meeting point where the creative industry can exchange perspectives, discover new opportunities, and strengthen the relationships that fuel the creative process.
The full programme is available here

Creative Leaders Summit

One of the major additions to this year's programme is the Creative Leaders Summit, a gathering of senior creatives and business leaders designed to explore the central theme of Relationships from every angle.

Through keynote presentations and open discussions, the Summit will examine how these connections drive leadership, organizational transformation, and innovation.

Industry leaders will share insights on nurturing trust across all dynamics, from the crucial bond between creative and client, to the collaborative friction among internal teams, to the broader networks that fuel the future of creativity.

Ultimately, the Summit aims to encourage honest conversations and spark meaningful connections among some of the industry's most influential voices.

First Confirmed Speakers

The Creative Leaders Summit will feature twelve keynote speakers in an intimate format designed to encourage dialogue, interaction, and meaningful networking.

The first confirmed speakers are:

Mihnea Gheorghiu, Global Chief Creative Officer, Le Pub
Juliana Paracencio, Executive Creative Director, Droga5
Dustin Duke, Head of Brand Innovation, Amazon Lab
Liza Enebeis, Creative Director and Partner, Studio Dumbar

Additional speakers and programme details will be announced in the coming months.

ADCE Awards Jury

At the heart of the festival, leading creative professionals from across Europe convene to judge the ADCE Awards. Once again, the final round of judging will be open to the public, offering attendees a rare opportunity to witness the discussions that determine the Grand Prix and Special Awards.

Portfolio Review

Open to students, recent graduates, and young professionals, the Portfolio Review provides direct feedback from experienced creative leaders and recruiters while creating valuable connections between emerging talent and agencies from across Europe.

AI Creative Challenge

Returning in its high-energy tournament format, the AI Creative Challenge invites participants to tackle unexpected briefs using AI-powered tools, demonstrating how technology and creativity can combine in surprising and entertaining ways.

Celebrating Creativity Across Generations

ADCE Creative Week also shines a spotlight on excellence through its two flagship ceremonies.

The ADCE Student Awards Gala celebrates the next generation of European creatives, recognising outstanding student work and bringing together talent from all over the continent.

The festival closes with the ADCE Awards Gala, where the winners of the 35th edition of the ADCE Awards will be revealed. Honouring the very best work from across Europe, the ceremony celebrates creative excellence while reaffirming ADCE's mission to give European creativity global visibility.

Early Bird tickets for the public programme will be available soon at adceurope.org

Creative Express

Additionally, this year's Creative Week will host a new edition of Creative Express, a fast-paced program that brings together selected young talents from member countries.

Collaborating in international teams, participants will respond to a live brief in just 24 hours. The initiative showcases the immense value of cross-cultural collaboration, giving rising creatives the opportunity to build lasting professional relationships and learn from one another through shared, high-pressure challenges.