-Taxi Toronto spent over 200 hours recreating the Toronto Pride Parade in Animal Crossing as “Pride Island Toronto” (video above).
Pride Island launched on June 21, and Taxi is encouraging viewers to follow @PrideIslandTO on Instagram and Twitter to find posting codes they’ll need to visit the island each day.
“We’ve all had to find innovative ways to adapt to a new way of life,” Taxi Toronto executive creative director Alexis Bronstorph said in a statement, “but it’s important that we hold on to the things that make this city unique and special. Pride is one of those things.”
“Pride Island was made for people to enjoy,” added associate creative director Justin Luu. “It might not be quite as impactful as the real thing, but it’s a fun way to escape with your friends and enjoy a little bit of what Pride has to offer.”
-Periscope group strategy director Nathan Young and Aerialist founder and principal Bennett D. Bennett, authors of an open letter signed by over 600 Black ad professionals calling on industry leaders for change, formed an organization dedicated to the advocacy and advancement of Black advertising employees called 600&Rising, with 4A’s as its first partner.
-Three 72andSunny creatives created a video showing the continued struggle for civil rights.
-British agency Jones Knowles Ritchie designed a global brand refresh for Heinz.
-PepsiCo committed $400 million to fund racial justice and equality initiatives and is finally dropping the Aunt Jemima brand name and image after 131 years.
-Mars-owned rice brand Uncle Ben’s said it is “evolving its brand” as well.
-Keyword blocking has a harsher impact on publishers catering to minority audiences.
–Cartwright founder Keith Cartwright discusses launching an agency during the pandemic, an early transition from fine art to advertising and his favorite recent creative work.