-Fast food mascots have gotten a new twist, thanks to some new AI technology. Fast food restaurant Fazoli’s hired kids—coaxed with breadsticks—to create a mascot using prompts for Midjourney, a generative-art AI network. The kids just say what they want to see in a mascot, like “princess, potato, dog” and the technology conjures up a lumpy dog with a crown. The kids respond accordingly with varying degrees of fascination and hunger, but the exercise also promotes the Fazoli’s app with rewards with that stilted female robot voice.
-Nike has selected two new media agencies: IPG Mediabrands’ Initiative will handle the brand’s media globally and in the EMEA and APLA regions, while PMG is now Nike’s integrated media AOR in North America.
-Mint Mobile is pulling a bulk of its media investment from VaynerMedia in a move to build an in-house media practice.
-DTC shaving brand Billie’s “Rules of Body Hair” campaign points out how arbitrary rules can be, encouraging young people to reject them and the shame that they cause.
-In light of the Red Cross declaring its first-ever blood crisis in January of 2022, the non-profit has launched its “A Bloody Nightmare” short film starring Neve Campbell.
–Naomi Duckworth, an acd at M/H and an advocate for mental health, writes about how being a creative with depressive mental health issues can be a challenge.
-A&W has enlisted Ryan Reynolds, but not the one you think, as the spokesman for its new campaign, which aims to ring in National Root Beer Float Day and raise money for the Disabled American Veterans.
-Period care product company Thinx has teamed up with purpose-driven agency Oberland for its “How a New Generation Thinx” campaign.