Ads of the Week: Greenpeace’s GTA takeover and Marvel’s Spider-Man meme
Every Wednesday, The Drum picks the top global campaigns from our Creative Works.
Greenpeace delivers a hard-hitting message in GTA
This week, Greenpeace issued a hard-hitting message within the popular video game Grand Theft Auto about the climate crisis, Marvel fans’ Spidey senses were tingling when actors Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield recreated that meme, and the iconic McDonald’s golden arches popped up in 19th-century impressionist paintings.
To be in with a chance of featuring, submit your work here.
Greenpeace: Los Santos +3ºC by VMLY&R
Climate activist group Greenpeace, alongside creative agency partner VMLY&R Brazil, wanted to raise awareness about environmental issues within the popular video game Grand Theft Auto in the hopes of hitting home the urgency of the impending disaster.
Vote for the work here
Marvel: No Way Home Meme by Marvel
Spider-Man actors Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield delighted Marvel fans and social media users alike by recreating a viral meme to promote the digital release of No Way Home.
Vote for the work here
McDonald’s: Meant To Be Classic by DDB Athens
What do McDonald’s and impressionist painters Edouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir have in common? Well, in a way, they both represent classic and iconic imagery of their time. Playing on this idea, DDB Athens used recognizable works of art as an advertising canvas for the fast-food chain in Greece.
Vote for the work here
South Western Railway: Spread Your Wings by St Luke’s
South Western Railway released a campaign encouraging people to use its service to reconnect with friends, family and co-workers. ‘Spread Your Wings’ features two commuter birds, wittily named Sandy C Gull and Wesley Peck, as they journey toward London.
Vote for the work here
BBC: Small Health Alliance by BBC Creative
Following an order from the Peaky Blinders, English football club Birmingham City FC returned to its roots and reverted back to its former name of Small Heath Alliance.
Vote for the work here
Mona: Best of Our Worst Reviews by Finch
The Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Australia launched a very dry but hilarious campaign based on terrible reviews of the gallery.
Vote for the work here
Burger King: Meat? by David Madrid
Burger King’s latest campaign confused meat lovers as it continues to reinforce its commitment to offering plant-based alternatives.
‘Meat?’ plays on the visual similarities between animal-based products and meat-free options with a striking, close-up series of print and out-of-home (OOH) ads with the tagline: “Sorry for the confusion, meat lovers.”
Vote for the work here
Valentino: Rendez-Vous by LS Productions
American actress Zendaya is the face of Valentino’s new campaign, which has seen the Italian fashion house experiment in the metaverse for the first time.
Vote for the work here
Prudential: Code to Wellness by Naga DDB Tribal
Prudential launched a wellness campaign in Malaysia to encourage people to scan its QR codes every month and get access to advice, activities and rewards.
Vote for the work here
NHS: Jack-In-The-Box by M&C Saatchi
NHS England has released a tense campaign by M&C Saatchi to boost detection of early-stage cancer by likening reticence on the part of individuals willing to present for a check-up to a coiled ‘Jack-in-the-box.’
Vote for the work here