This month: An ad throwback, a cheeky plea for men to bathe and a couple of catchy tunes.
The top 5 celebrity brand collabs you need to know about right now
5. Beyoncé x Levi’s
Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day LA
Better late than never. Levi’s finally capitalized on its shoutout on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, released in March, with a simple yet effective ad last month starring the singer and her “Levii’s Jeans” track playing in the background. In the ad, Beyoncé strips down in a laundromat to wash her denin (and a bucket of diamonds) in a recreation of the brand’s iconic 1985 Laundrette ad.
Compared to Beyoncé’s recent work for Verizon, which announced her “Cowboy Carter” album at this year’s Super Bowl, the stripped-down nature of Levi’s spot was a perfect match for both the brand and the mellow sensuality of the singer’s song.
4. Sydney Sweeney x Dr. Squatch
Agency: In-house
Sydney Sweeney is leaning into her role as Hollywood’s latest crush in a cheeky ad for Dr. Squatch. The “Euphoria” actress invites “dirty little boys” to worry less about her body and more about their own odors by bathing.
3. Paul Giamatti x Montefiore
Agency: Alto
“The Holdovers” star Paul Giamatti reunited with director Alexander Payne to harness the duo’s powers of emotional storytelling for Montefiore Einstein hospital. The spot tells the true story of a man who faced the possibility of death after being denied a lung transplant due to a pre-existing health condition—until Montefiore granted him the much-needed treatment. Giamatti’s voice, which has told many powerful stories in film, makes all the difference for the spot, which focuses on inspiring stories instead of health care statistics.
2. Megan Thee Stallion and others x Pepsi
Agency: Paramount Brand Studio and OMD/ContentCollective
It is always thrilling to see a celebrity clash in advertising as epic as the coliseum showdown from Pepsi and Paramount Pictures’ “Gladiator 2.” Starring actors Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy as well as NFL players Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce playing gladiators and rapper Megan Thee Stallion as their emperor, the full-length spot is a feast of fun. And Megan Thee Stallion lending her voice to a delightful re-work of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” is a jam-worthy bonus (which you can indeed jam to on music streamers).
1. Will Ferrell x PayPal
Agency: BBH
Will Ferrell remains an irresistible brand spokesperson, this time for PayPal’s largest campaign to date. Employing his signature goofiness and penchant for dressing up but still behaving like Will Ferrell, the comedian belts out a financial rewrite of Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere.” The campaign also allowed PayPal to reinvigorate its social media presence with a delightful dose of Ferrell.