Best Ads of the Week: Aldi’s torch triumph & Progressive’s ridiculously relatable remedies

This week, Joey Fatone and AJ MacLean recorded a boy band track for Dunkin’, Vice President Kamala Harris debuted her first political ad and Tan France fought for The Family Act for formula brand Bobbie.

Porsche: Dua Lipa for Porsche

Dua Lipa stars in and directs an engaging ad for Porsche, playfully roasting typical car commercials. The spot begins with Lipa imagining her ideal ad, leading to a series of wild, imaginative scenes that keep viewers intrigued. Each scene is more extravagant than the last, showcasing her unpredictable vision. The ad cleverly uses this narrative to poke fun at itself, adding humor and self-awareness to the car brand’s image.

Bobbie: When Dads Take Leave

Bobbie, a baby formula company, has teamed up with TV host and fashion designer Tan France to advocate for guaranteed paternity leave in the US. Their campaign, ‘When Dads Take Leave,’ highlights the need for paternity leave through France’s personal story of returning to work one week after his child’s birth. Despite 84% of Americans supporting paid leave, only 11 states offer it. France stresses that paid leave is not a vacation but essential for balancing work and family life. The campaign supports the Family Act, which proposes 12 weeks of paid leave for all workers, emphasizing that better paternity leave policies benefit families and promote gender equality.

Kamala Harris Campaign: We Choose Freedom

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris unveiled her first official campaign ad, ‘We Choose Freedom,’ set to Beyoncé’s 2016 hit Freedom. The ad features dynamic visuals of everyday Americans and highlights Harris’s vision for a just and free America, emphasizing safety from gun violence, bodily autonomy, poverty eradication, affordable healthcare and justice. The ad subtly critiques Donald Trump by showing his mugshot and referencing his felony convictions. Beyoncé endorsed the use of her song and Charli XCX publicly supported Harris. The ad, which has garnered positive reactions on social media, follows Harris’s presidential bid announcement and record-breaking fundraising of over $81m in 24 hours.

Nissan Canada: Whole New Thrill by Juniper Park\TBWA

Nissan Canada’s new ‘Whole New Thrill’ campaign captures relatable driving experiences, from the nerves of a first kiss to the stress of a stormy night drive. The ads highlight how Nissan’s tech, such as the Head-Up Display, Rear Door Alert and Google Built-In, can make these moments more thrilling. Ken Hearn, Nissan Canada’s marketing director, emphasizes the campaign’s focus on personal storytelling to connect with drivers. Created by Toronto-based agency Juniper Park\TBWA, the campaign underscores how even older Nissan technology is new to many Canadian buyers. The ads will run across TV, digital, social and out-of-home channels in Canada.

Aldi: Kevin the Carrot: The Olympic Torch by McCann Manchester

For the first time in eight years, Kevin the Carrot stars outside his iconic Christmas adverts, landing our top spot today. This latest ad for Aldi features Kevin taking on a new challenge as he steps up to light the missing Olympic torch, ensuring the Games can proceed. The shift from his usual festive scenes to the Olympic setting showcases Kevin’s versatility, adding new layers to his character. The ad’s engaging narrative and Kevin’s familiar charm make it a hit, resonating well with both loyal fans and new viewers. According to market research platform Kantar, the ad is likely to have a strong impact for Aldi, ranking highly in engagement and brand recall.

Dunkin’: Iced Like My Coffee by Artists Equity

90s stars Joey Fatone from NSync and AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys have formed a new music project called the Iced Boys, dedicated to Dunkin’s iced beverages. Their debut single, Iced Like My Coffee, is part of Dunkin’s first-ever EP Iced, featuring a nostalgic blend of pop and coffee culture. The EP, streaming exclusively on Spotify, includes five tracks inspired by Dunkin’s iced lineup, with contributions from Peyton Mackenzie, August Roads and Zev Prince. The summer campaign, created with Artists Equity, also includes an exclusive menu by Chef Nick DiGiovanni, a gaming experience with Twitch’s SypherPK and Dunkin’ merch designed by Yoon Ahn.

Molson Coors: Sponsor the Parents by Rethink

Molson Coors, a partner of Team Canada, has launched the ‘Sponsor the Parents’ campaign by Rethink to support the parents of Team Canada athletes. The campaign recognizes their dedication and signs nine parents to endorsement deals, offering perks usually reserved for pro athletes, such as paid contracts, starring roles in commercials, and documented journeys in Paris on Molson’s social media. Among the sponsored parents are Tony and Fiona Di Stasio, Joe and Rachelle Clay, Travis and Susan Wog, Lynda South-Simoneau and Nancy Tan and Michael Yang. Molson encourages everyone to raise a Molson in support of these unsung heroes.

Paris Hilton: That’s Hotline by 11:11 Media

Paris Hilton’s ‘That’s Hotline’ campaign promotes her upcoming single Chasin featuring Meghan Trainor by offering love advice through a hotline at 855-THTS-HOT, addressing issues like gaslighting and ghosting. Vibrant billboards in Los Angeles, created by Hilton and 11:11 Media, feature Hilton holding a pink flip phone and aim to connect fans with the song’s empowering message. The campaign, inspired by melodramatic attorney ads, taps into early 2000s nostalgia and includes a 64-foot-wide billboard at The Grove. The initiative also leverages Hilton and Trainor’s social media reach with engaging content on TikTok and Instagram, while Hilton interacts with fans on her Instagram broadcast channel.

British Airways: A British Original Period Drama by Uncommon

British Airways, in collaboration with its agency Uncommon, has launched an onboard safety video titled ‘A British Original Period Drama,’ directed by Sharon Maguire. Inspired by the popularity of British period dramas, the five-minute film features 40 airline staff and takes place in a historical British setting. The video humorously juxtaposes period British characters with modern British Airways safety demonstrations, showcasing staff interacting with contemporary technology in a period drama context. Filmed at historic estates such as Hatfield House and Englefield House, the video aims to captivate and entertain passengers while delivering essential safety information.

Progressive: Un-Becoming Your Parents by Arnold

Progressive has launched two new ads featuring Dr Rick, who humorously helps new homeowners avoid becoming their parents. This summer, Dr Rick’s dry wit and tough love counter Flo’s exuberance, focusing on avoiding weather obsessions and dad jokes. In ‘Weather,‘ Dr Rick addresses the parental fixation on forecasts, while in ‘Hosting,‘ he prevents dad jokes at BBQs. Dr Rick also appeared on Good Morning America, offering BBQ hosting tips. An out-of-home campaign titled ‘Un-Becoming Your Parents in Paris’ features ads at Atlanta and JFK airports, a free book vending machine and a guided audio tour of Paris by Rick Steves. Dr Rick’s influence extends to TikTok and Instagram, with the campaign created by Arnold in partnership with Pearpop and Ninety6.

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