The top 5 creative campaigns to know about right now

From celebrity comedy to a somber, issues-driven social experiment, we had a bit of everything in this week’s top 5. Notably, two in-house campaigns topped the list: one an impressive exercise in reverse psychology to recruit new employees, the other a joyful dance number from a brand that’s specialized in them lately. See the full top 5 below. Enter the free 2025 Young Creatives Contest here 5. SkinnyPop: Popular for a Reason Agency: Erich & Kallman Kudos to Erich & Kallman for another purely entertaining 30-second spot. This one, for Hershey Co. popcorn brand SkinnyPop, aired on the Oscars and features Jennifer Aniston trying to check into a hotel—but being upstaged by her travel companion, a bag of SkinnyPop. The banter, with the clerk messing up Aniston’s name, is breezy and well-written. And however hyperbolic, the product gets a chance to shine. 4. Ad Council: No Debate Debate Agency: Gut Miami Documentarian Lauren Greenfield, coming off her compelling FX series “Social Studies” last fall, returns to advertising via her specialty: a social experiment. This time, the “Like a Girl” director films schoolchildren debating the issue of gun violence in front of an audience of their parents. But the piece takes a turn toward the end, as it turns out not to be a debate at all—reinforcing the point that there is no “agree to disagree” when it comes to keeping kids safe. 3. Terry Fox Foundation and Research Institute: Finish It Director: Diamond Terry Fox died in 1981, but the iconic Canadian cancer research advocate returns—in a way—in this powerful two-minute spot raising awareness of his foundation and the need to finish what he started. The film features a solitary runner—an actor made to look like Fox through CGI—jogging alone who is joined by thousands in a recreation of 1980’s Marathon of Hope. The craft is impeccable, and the piece delivers quite the emotional punch. Ad Age Creativity Bookmark our section covering the best in brand creativity every day Read more here 2. Anduril: Don’t Work at Anduril Agency: In-house Reverse psychology works like a charm in the military contractor’s new employee recruitment campaign, which playfully suggests you’re almost certainly not cut out to work there. The work has good range, from posts on X that initially seemed to be from a rogue intern, to graffiti-tagged outdoor and LinkedIn messages, to a comic film with a deadpan dude who’s still trying to get used to Anduril after three months there. Bonus points for the amusing Palmer Luckey cameos. 1. Gap: Feels Like Gap Agency: Invisible Dynamics Gap is on a roll with its high-energy, loveable dance videos. The latest one stars actress Parker Posey, who’s having a moment with her role in the new season of “The White Lotus.” There’s a bit of a Kenzo/Margaret Qualley vibe as Posey flits around with the other dancers to choreography from Sadie Wilking. The 90-second spot, directed by Talia Collis, is set to the track “Mama’s Eyes” by pop artist Mette. Amy Troost puts the cherry on top with the inviting still photography. Enter the free 2025 Young Creatives Contest here

The top 5 creative campaigns to know about right now

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