Creative: Inside Priceless MasterCard Moments

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Debuting in October 1997, MasterCard’s “Priceless” theme has become one of the industry’s most admired campaigns, creating an almost nonstop buzz. What’s more, it’s working. Not only did the work raise viewer awareness and consumer usage of the card itself, it also served as a milestone for McCann-Erickson. As the agency brought luster and polish to the dusty brand, “Priceless” helped the once-staid shop trumpet a new and improved creative reputation. What follows is a look inside the venerable campaign, from the brief to the on-air product and beyond, by Adweek’s senior reporter Hank Kim.
The Brief
MasterCard puts its account in review in March 1997.

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