RECAP
As we approach the end of the year, we'd like to take a moment to reflect on what made 2023 so innovative, creative, and fun. Use the slider below to scroll through some of our favorite campaigns, moments, and digital experiences from the last year.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
The Evolution of AI
01
Get Real
02
Creativity Fights Fatigue
03
From novelty, art and fun to practical business use cases.
See example »
Brands and influencers grabbed our attention when they found authenticity and human moments.
Unexpected partnerships and experiences cut through the digital noise.
2023
Creative themes that shaped
(hover over for examples)
From piñata memes to AI and all-things innovative storytelling, we began the year exploring how brands are using data, AI and creativity to transform their storytelling.
JAN 03
JAN 20
Suddenly, 24-year-olds are finding themselves in charge of brand development for major corporations
It was only a matter of time that Ryan Reynolds used ChatGPT to create an ad
Raising our eyebrows at this McDonald's Ad...
L’Oréal hands over the creative reins to influencers over 40
Brands should look at Gen Z as co-creators, not consumers
JAN 27
Cartier embraces augmented reality retail
Lunar New Year: Everything you need to know about Taiwan's most popular holiday (interactive)
Checking out what pandemic trends that inform consumer behavior
How brands are leaning into made-up holidays
Vox looks into why we use subtitles now more than ever
TikTok really is becoming Gen Z’s Google, and more on how Gen Z gets its news
These immersive installations are popping up all over the world
This is how UX research methods get categorized
Meet Spotify’s new AI DJ, learn how it was made and how it will affect your listening experience
National Gallery of Art: Black art & artists in our collection
MSCHF industrial cologne: smells like WD-40
Ted Gioia: Romantic images of couples for Valentine's Day
FEB 03
FEB 10
FEB 17
FEB 24
The future of life after death: Human composting,voice cloning and holograms
Daydreaming is not slacking off. It’s key to creativity and innovation.
ChatGPT sets record for fastest-growing user base
How the young spend their money: they are woke, broke and complicated. Businesses should take note
TikTok de-influencing is trending: Why brands should reassess creator deals
The case for digital minimalism
Buckle up as we discuss how ChatGPT set the record for the fastest growing user base and whether or not AI tools have found their way into our daily routines yet.
You thinking losing your engagement ring is scary? Read the unique stories behind these 56 Superbowl rings
Yas' Drop:
We’re seeing a trend of brands taking on a new tone of making fun of themselves and being self-aware
Artist shows how being a mother can add an extra layer of artistry to a performance
Don't forget: Social media platforms are businesses with a need to generate revenue
Coca-Cola asking consumers to generate their own AI art
"Telfar address accessibility to its product, aligning with consumers by putting the power in their hands to determine their business model. If anything, Telfar is doing a tremendous job keeping things exciting – marketers constantly need to be kept on their toes to think differently and take risks that have the potential to completely change norms and expectations."
Rules of advertising: trust and confidence to come up with new ideas and stick to them when they get picked apart or disagreed with
"We need to hold brands accountable in sustainability comms, but we should also be looking at our role in how we criticize and show support for brands that are trying."
Wednesday brings more joy than woe to audiences and Netflix
Wednesday is here, the name Friday Fives is gone. We formally lauched the Drop! How does optimism and pessimism help our team discuss topics like greenwashing?
MARCH 03
MARCH 10
MARCH 24
MARCH 31
The Subscription Divide
The world’s first AI-generated art gallery
AI starts to get terrifying...
APRIL 07
APRIL 21
APRIL 28
We discuss how AI is potentially insulting, the problem with social media becoming less social, and some great campaigns of brands showing their self-awareness.
Sarina's Drop:
Austin's Drop:
Chipotle is leveraging user-generated content (UGC)
Social media is going to change traditional media as well
Cardi B shuts down mean girls
Social platforms are increasing their authenticity game with added security measures
"Instagram remains a priority platform for marketers. Despite the emergence of newer social media platforms, Instagram’s continued growth and engagement makes it a valuable tool for connecting with broader audiences with its visual nature and its extensive features for influencer marketing and e-commerce."
"This campaign builds on an existing brand for Bolt as a smart, sustainable and self-aware company, but it opens the door for additional fun ideas and we love how this can be brought to life."
Social audio is on the outs
Miyazaki's hatred of AI, the lack of emotion and artist intent
MAY 12
MAY 19
MAY 26
This art from @str4ngeThing was perfectly timed with the Met Gala craze
TikTok's Creativity Program launches, showing the growing impact of influencers
April showers bring Ska flowers
Our fragile ecosystem represented by balloon animals
9 ways to imagine Jeff Bezos' wealth
What makes a brand trustworthy?
Future of futures: How we find the right space for our creative ideas to cut through
Watch the full discussion here
Adobe Firefly uses Generative AI to go from tedious to tada
While AI continues to distrupt, it also makes marginal improvements to things like drive thru's
We discuss the exciting mix of art, fashion and technology, and also look at the most trusted brands of 2023.
Morning Consult's Most Trusted Brands 2023
" Nikon perfectly captures what so many of us are grappling with - how do we merge AI and humans together? While it still weighs more human than machine, the playful nod to AI prompts also confirm the in-between world we live in."
Mike's Drop:
JUNE 02
JUNE 23
JUNE 30
June is bringing influence for good via TikTok, personalization with Lyft and Instacart, and some fancy pasta sauce we would love to get our hands on.
JUNE 16
Crystal's Drop:
"It feels like we've seen every bad instance of a QR code—stuck to parking signs as scams, stickered over a bikini, and in front of a moving train. But by using AI, designers can now blend art and technology to unlock more creative and innovative ways to display ads and change the face of advertising as we know it."
TikTok is using their influence and power for good with first-ever 'Pride Visionary Voices' list
The Absolut + Heinz collab we never knew we needed
Lyft is bringing back 'cash cab-esque' trivia gameshows because of social listening
Old jingles are providing holistic therapy to Alzheimer’s patients
Reddit has started it's enshittification process
It’s Barbie’s world, and we’re just living in it
AI - Hate it or love it?
A brand role you've probably never heard of: Brand Archivist
Apple uploading the first episode of Silo? This experiment might be a great use case for how Twitter can differentiate itself
"Netflix launched a new website based on a fictional streaming service, allowing real-life audiences to interact with the fictional technology, now brought to life."
Camille's Drop:
The success of Netflix's marketing strategy lies in its ability to make us feel seen, keep us engaged, resonate with the cultural vibe, and, of course, surprise us with a dash of innovation.
WHY THIS WORKS
JULY 12
JULY 21
JULY 28
Brands start getting ready for the holiday season and we explore the weirdest food combos, and why we think tennis-core is the next trend coming for us.
Crickets + Cheese
Fried Chicken + Grape Jelly
Wendy's Nuggets + Frosty
Hot Cheetos + Cream Cheese
Can Coldplay set the standard of sustainability in the global music industry?
We geeked out over this deep dive on Wimbledon's grass. Is tenniscore incoming?
Taco Tuesday trademark battle
Propel harnesses people and the power of movement in their new campaign with Michael B. Jordan
ZoomInfo gets personal with B2C simplicity
Our favorite weird flavor combos:
Quizno's Spongemonkeys are as terrifying as they are unexpected. Could it be the comeback they need?
Christmas in July as brands publish their own guides and planning tips
Metadata.io's report: B2B success hinges on nailing the perfect blend of audience targeting, channel, creative and offer
Converse said goodbye to X and is instead using Threads to discuss cultural moments, inviting audiences to help co-create future Converse designs
AI hype is currently marketing driven, but the impacts will be fueled by the consumer tapping into whimsy and discovery
Mugsy is creating a moment between their brand and internet culture
What often gets lost in the B2B marketing fog: people are still the beating heart of business
What was truly behind the Barbie publicity
Will we ever not live in a volitale world?
Fitness is making the community experience happen
Welch's creates a storybook with relatable moments when parents find themselves "stealing" the fruit snacks from their children
GenZ says track me plz, reports say
Can AI be used to visualize human emotions?
There is a difference between a creative using AI and a non-creative trying to use AI
The impact of small moments in marketing history
"People want something more genuine, true, connected to real people rather than influencer/celebrity type folks. They are turning to Facebook groups and Substack newsletters, often following a new type of influencer — former journalists"
Jordan's Drop:
AUGUST 04
AUGUST 11
AUGUST 18
What are brands doing instead of X? We explore some of the changes happening within social platforms, the power of in-person experiences, and why stealing can be a good thing. Yes, you read that right.
AUGUST 25
SEPT 15
SEPT 22
Everything is getting more complex, and we talk about it along with how algorithms are mapping our human biases into AI.
Coca Cola's creative academy
How to achieve a brand-safe meme
How chromebooks are becoming troublesome e-waste
Lupe Fiasco and Google creative wordplay AI
Take a deep breath and you'll do better on tests
Heart palpatations
LUSH and Nickelodeon is the match for me
The ultimate NY Fakehouse
How did Taylor Swift get the world to solve 33M puzzles in under a day?
SEPT 29
Personalized shoes by way of 3D printing
Drive thru ettique and being a good human
Hello: SciComedy SciCompany SciCompassion
We're seeing more consultancies that can clearly get a complicated message across
This personality quiz goes viral
Data as an art medium
Where is empathy on the internet
Why the internet isn't fun anymore
Spirit Halloween has managed to cultivate a fervent fanbase and maintain a consistent buzz throughout the year by listening to their audience and adapting their content quickly.
Patreon's branding is giving serious design fatigue
OCT 13
OCT 27
The U.K team joins in to drop their favorite FinTech campaigns and discuss how clients within this industry can build momentum.Spooky season is here and so is our praise for trusted consumer brands that listen to their audiences on social. JUUL is not one of them.
OCT 05
'Got It' by Ripple
'Power up What You Do' by Mettle
Yonder's Credit Card
NOV 11
Holidays are here and we take a look at some 2024 trends from Accenture, as well as reflect on what it means to question authenticity. The U.K shared the ads that affected them on a personal level.
Kelsey's Drop:
"We’re entering a decade of deconstruction spurred by our desire to challenge norms, rethink traditional life choices and generally question who we are in the world today. Brands will need to think about how this impacts how they reach and relate to their customers. Likely there are new behaviors, new beliefs, or a reconnection with past beliefs and behaviors that could pose opportunities for brands if they approach customers in an authentic way."
Can San Francisco start over again? This campaign's attempt
Let me spell it out for you, we need authenticity
Goodbye Black Friday, hello email scams
NOV 03
The 2004 ad from Slinky Pictures: 'Don't Do Politics'
Driving a solumn message with Think!'s ad
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Happy holidays!
As we wrap up 2023, we are thankful for all the campaigns that kept us curious. If you're hungry for more, check out our 12 gifts of techmas below!
