-Hip-Hop icon LL Cool J is joining Progressive’s Parenta-Life Coach Dr. Rick for a teachable moment: even though a hip-hop star could be standing right behind you, try to act naturally. But, as Dr. Rick knows, things can go slightly askew. The new commercial, “Chance Encounter” by Arnold, premiered during “A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop.” “The Dr. Rick commercials are classic, and I can’t help but laugh and relate to them. It was an honor to work with Progressive and join such a beloved campaign and character that resonates with so many. Being able to be myself and bring some laughter to the people at home is very cool, said LL Cool J in a statement.”
-Papa Johns, which wants to celebrate the culture of pizza in 2024, has chosen The Martin Agency to handle creative while the brand hired Dentsu’s Carat to handle its media buying.
-This year’s Adweek 50 is now out, and the honorees exemplify the best in business leadership.
-Adweek’s creative team has compiled the 10 best ads you probably haven’t seen this year.
-Ogilvy announced that Carla Hendra, global CEO of Ogilvy Consulting, will be retiring in 2024 after nearly three decades with the agency. Throughout her tenure, Carla has held a range of leadership positions spanning clients, geographies, and businesses. “Ogilvy has been a gift to me and my family for just about 28 years across roles with clients, disciplines, regions and most of all, our people. That it has become a creative and strategic force in the industry is no accident, and I am lucky to have played any part in Ogilvy’s story. I look forward now to expanding my work on public and private company boards in 2024,” said Hendra in a statement.
-“AI” is the ANA’s Marketing Word of the Year for 2023, the winner in a landslide vote among 271 ANA members. Since 2014, the ANA has surveyed our members to select the ANA Marketing Word of the Year. The ANA staff identifies a list of finalists and then asks members to cast their votes to determine the winner. AI was the runaway winner with almost 70% of the 271 votes among 10 options. The next closest selection, “Purpose,” had only 8% of votes. In the 10-year history of the ANA Marketing Word of the Year, there has never been a winner by such a wide margin. AI is also the first repeat winner—it was the ANA Marketing Word of the Year in 2017.
-Adweek’s Breakthrough Agency of the Year, Gut, has launched its first original content idea, “My Gut Friend.” It’s part of the agency’s internal “Unbranded Content Contest,” and project consists of a children’s book along with an animated short film set to be released in 2024, deriving from the same story. “My Gut Friend” was created by Rodrigo del Oso and José Mario Muñoz, creative directors from Gut Mexico City. The “Unbranded Content Contest” invited all employees to submit their original, 100% unbranded ideas.
Rodrigo del Oso and José Mario Muñoz from Gut Mexico City with ‘My Gut Friend.’