Best Ads of the Week: Deleón Tequila spins boldly & Progressive lights up the Sphere

This week’s creative campaigns take us from the icy wilderness of Norway to the dazzling lights of Las Vegas. Deleón Tequila spins up bold moments, Apple celebrates quirky collectors with ‘One Track Mind’ and Progressive’s Flo and Jamie light up The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Beats by Dre: Ordinary is for Everyone Else by Uncommon

Beats by Dre teams up with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in a witty new ad by Uncommon, showcasing his unconventional training routines in Norway’s icy wilderness. The film features Haaland meditating among wolves, performing pull-ups on a cliff edge, and submerging in freezing rivers, all while highlighting the role of Beats products in his regimen. “I trial many methods to keep focused in my training, from meditation to music, and the wide range of Beats by Dre products help me to stay motivated,” Haaland said. Complementing the film are striking images of Haaland in these extreme settings, set to appear across outdoor media with the Beats logo, emphasizing the campaign’s message: “Ordinary is for everyone else.”

The Norwegian Postal Service: Rudolph’s Rise and Fall by Pol

The Norwegian Postal Service delivers holiday laughs with its sixth annual Christmas spot, ‘Rudolph’s Rise and Fall,’ created by Pol. Styled like a Netflix documentary, the short film chronicles the red-nosed reindeer’s ego-fueled spiral after a promotion from Santa catapults him to celebrity status. Equal parts hilarious and cautionary, the ad uses Rudolph’s tale to explore the perils of fame with a playful holiday twist. Known for irreverent storytelling, Posten has previously portrayed Santa as gay and parodied political figures, and this year is no exception. As Monica Solberg, Posten’s marketing director, notes, “We embrace humor and the holiday spirit.” Naturally, the Norwegian Postal Service steps in to save Christmas when Rudolph falters.

Toys R Us: USPS Operation Santa by MRM

The iconic USPS Operation Santa program gets a digital twist in its 111th year, thanks to a collaboration with Toys R Us and MRM. For the first time, generous participants can adopt wish lists online via the ‘Santa’s Gift Shoppe’ e-commerce platform, making it easier to fulfill holiday dreams. This modern update bypasses the traditional shopping and mailing process, streamlining goodwill while keeping the magic alive. The campaign aligns perfectly with both USPS’s mission to foster holiday cheer and Toys R Us’s goal of creating joy for a new generation.

Olipop: A New Kind of Holiday Cheer by Callen

Olipop’s inaugural holiday campaign, ‘A New Kind of Holiday Cheer,’ created by Callen, introduces viewers to two lovable yetis, Oli and Pop. Despite their best efforts to spread festive joy, their intimidating appearances leave them feeling isolated – until a can of Olipop helps bridge the gap with humans. The warm animation style beautifully complements this heartwarming tale of belonging and acceptance, delivering a campaign that’s as sweet as it is refreshing.

Sports Direct: New Traditions by Frasers

Sports Direct kicks off the festive season with ‘New Traditions,’ a fast-paced, 60-second ad by Frasers that spotlights the joy of community and family through sport. Featuring stars like boxing entrepreneur Eddie Hearn, rugby player Maro Itoje, and endurance athlete Russ ‘Hardest Geezer’ Cook, the ad shows how Brits are embracing active holiday traditions, from football matches to Hyrox sessions in the garage. It all begins with a feisty gran shadowboxing with a snowman, setting the tone for a playful and spirited spot. Based on data revealing that 64% of UK adults plan to engage in sports over the holidays, the campaign will air on TV, in-store and digital platforms.

Deleón Tequila: Bold Spirits, Rise by Translation

Deleón Tequila raises a glass to authenticity and self-expression with its latest campaign, ‘Bold Spirits, Rise,’ crafted by Translation. The centerpiece – a hypnotic 54-second film – features dancers spinning through dreamlike scenes, from dimly lit dancefloors to lively dinner parties, embodying Deleón’s adventurous spirit. Choreographer Shay Latukolan and filmmaker Ben Strebel teamed up to push visual boundaries, while photographer Kanya Iwana contributed ethereal visuals. The campaign highlights boldness and creativity, pairing its bold cinematography with a spinning motif, from caps to dance moves to a moon emblazoned with Deleón’s logo.

Guinness: The Most Wonderful Pint of the Year by Taylor

Guinness US is brewing up festive cheer with ‘The Most Wonderful Pint of the Year,’ a 16-second TV spot created by Taylor. The ad transforms a quintessential winter wonderland into the frothy top of a perfectly poured pint, blending cozy pub vibes with a touch of holiday magic. Though the classic jingle isn’t played, the campaign leans on the nostalgic phrase to toast the season. “We wanted to create something simple and magical that makes a pint of Guinness feel like coming home for the holidays,” said Joyce He, Guinness brand director. Launching December 1, the campaign will air on TV and Guinness US’ social channels throughout the month.

Apple: One Track Mind

Apple embraces niche obsessions in its first holiday campaign of the season, ‘One Track Mind,’ directed by Nick Ball and set to Chromeo’s funky track of the same name. The whimsical ad follows a woman consumed by her plate-collecting hobby, surrounded by dishes as she contemplates her next purchase. Highlighting the simplicity and convenience of Apple Pay, the short cleverly taps into the rise of tightly-knit online communities fueling niche interests. Developed by Apple’s in-house creative team, the campaign is part of a larger push for Apple Pay and will run across connected TV, YouTube and digital platforms.

Bud Light: Wrong Commercial

Bud Light brings comedic chaos to its newest college football campaign with ‘Wrong Commercial,’ featuring comedian Shane Gillis. The spot hilariously parodies high-fashion cologne ads with stark visuals, a moody tunnel and a lounging model, only to be disrupted by Gillis, beer in hand, realizing he’s on the wrong set. “This isn’t my commercial,” he quips, breaking the fourth wall before the action cuts to Bud Light’s intended star, André, enjoying a beer-fueled football watch party. The ad continues Bud Light’s streak of self-aware humor, following Gillis’s debut in ‘Dean’s Office’ earlier this season. The work is now live on social media, TV and streaming platforms.

Progressive Insurance: Flo and Jamie Light Up The Sphere by ninety6

Progressive Insurance revs up excitement for the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a dazzling campaign on The Sphere, the world’s largest LED screen. Featuring iconic characters Flo, Jamie, and the ‘Superstore’ crew, the vibrant animation showcases them racing across the massive 580,000-square-foot display. Beyond the spectacle, the campaign highlights Progressive’s newest safety innovation, ‘Accident Response,’ which detects major accidents via smartphone and instantly offers towing, emergency services, and claims assistance through the app.

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