Best Ads of the Week: Hip-Hop’s healthcare exhortation & Olivia Rodrigo’s smooth Sony spot

This week, Jane Lynch plays with Legos, Breast Cancer Now raises awareness of secondary (metastatic) breast cancer and Eliud Kipchoge helps a fellow runner to the finish line.

Dunelm: The Home of Homes by Creature London

It’s electrifying: a new TV commercial for Dunelm aims to get everyone on board with the following idea: the UK-based homeware chain is “the one [they] need – yes, indeed.”

‘The Home of Homes’ reprises the British homeware retailer’s existing calling card but revitalizes it by rewriting ‘You’re The One That I Want,’ the duet between John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the universally loved musical Grease. In the ad, a family struggles with their dull and tired décor then visits Dunelm, a one-stop shop, to find everything they could possibly need to rejuvenate their home.

The campaign was ideated and developed by London-based creative agency Creature.

Britain Get Talking: The Hardest Subject by ITV

The cost of living crisis, a pandemic and troubling world events have all had a negative impact on kid’s mental wellbeing, according to a new ad from ITV’s ‘Britain Get Talking’ campaign.

Supported by Mind, YoungMinds and SAMH in Scotland, Britain Get Talking encourages people to look after their mental health by connecting with others. The new spot doubles down that out of all the school subjects, often mental health is the hardest for kids to grasp. The spot prompts adults to encourage children to “do their homework and get talking” when it comes to how they are feeling.

Power to the Patients: Hip-Hop PSA by Swift River Productions

In a star-studded PSA released by nonprofit organization Power to the Patients, hip-hop heavyweights – from Chuck D of Public Enemy to Method Man of Wu-Tang Clan – urge elected officials to create a transparent, fair and affordable healthcare system for all Americans.

In the film, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes and other rappers draw comparisons between the PSA and themes within their music, explaining that hip-hop has always been about raising awareness of societal ills. Today, they say they turn their attention to “a healthcare system that has been rigged against all of us.” The film was released just before Congress votes on healthcare transparency bills and as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary.

M&S: This Is Not Just Food – It’s Never Just Food

Tom Kerridge seems to be in a reflective mood in M&S Food’s latest advert. In the spot, the TV chef tours the UK, meeting with farmers and learning about their produce and sharing all the things he did not know about the retailer’s processes before starting this journey under the strapline.

The TV ad, aptly called, ‘This Is Not Just Food – It’s Never Just Food,’ also marks the 2023 finale of the brand’s ‘Farm to Foodhall’ series.

Sony: LinkBuds S x Olivia Rodrigo

Sony, in collaboration with 20-year-old hit-maker Olivia Rodrigo, recently released limited-edition co-branded LinkBuds S earbuds, as well as a new ad spot based on Rodrigo’s music video for Bad Idea, Right?, off of Guts, her second studio album, released earlier this month via Geffen Records.

For Rodrigo’s ad spot, Sony brought on the Bad Idea Right? music video director, Petra Collins. In the ad, Rodrigo dons her LinkBuds S and gets lost in her own music as she dances around the same house and some of the extras from the original music video. The effort is part of Sony’s new ‘For The Music’ brand platform, which launched in July and involves hands-on collaboration on products with artists and bringing their unique visions to life.

Burger King: The Hand by Buzzman

In four new spots by media company Buzzman, fast food giant Burger King is claiming that players and coaches aren’t talking tactics but instead planning what they’re going to have to eat.

The ads kicked off on Amazon Prime Video during the Paris Saint Germain v Marseille Classico and will continue to appear during upcoming Ligue 1 games. It’s not the first time Burger King has made tongue-in-cheek football revelations. A previous video showed the world why the use of VAR had been heavily criticized during games.

Breast Cancer Now: If I Had More Time by BMB

Breast Cancer Now, a British breast cancer research and support charity, has released a heartbreaking short film titled ‘If I Had More Time’ that depicts the realities of facing secondary breast cancer. The condition is defined as a form of incurable cancer in which cancer cells that stemmed from the breast spread to other parts of the body.

In the film, each of the women get vulnerable about how they would spend more precious time if they were afforded it. One wishes she could see her son get married; another wishes she could tell more people she loves them. The campaign launches ahead of October, which is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was developed in partnership with creative agency BMB.

Nike: Have A Beautiful Run by Wieden+Kennedy London

This week, Nike released a colorful spot starring Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner of all time. In the ad, titled ‘Have A Beautiful Run,’ Kipchoge guides a fellow runner on her journey through the outdoors, highlighting his positive and calming approach. The film is from Wieden+Kennedy London and begins with the protagonist putting on a pair of sci-fi-inspired shades that bring a larger-than-life Kipchoge into her view, giving her words of encouragement.

Lego: Group Play is Your Superpower by Droga5 Dublin

Lego recently revealed its first-ever playable ad titled ‘Play Is Your Superpower.’ In the spot, actor Jane Lynch portrays a work-obsessed exec who becomes enlightened to the benefits of play by seeing its impact through the eyes of six adventurous children. The kids are at the office during ‘bring your child to work day’.

The campaign, a collaboration between the toymaker’s own creative agency and Droga5 Dublin, hopes to encourage adults to prioritize play for the children in their lives. It will run for four months with three key moments: the fall launch, World Play Day on October 12 and during the brand’s peak holiday season. Ellen Kuras, best known for her work on the Academy Award-winning film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed the spot.

Postmates: This is Your Brain on Food by Mother LA

From the chewy bliss of boba to a fiery bite into Nashville hot chicken, consuming food isn’t just for sustenance. It’s a dynamic experience that elicits strong emotions within all of us.

Tapping into this food phenomenon is delivery pioneer Postmates with its most recent marketing push, ‘This is Your Brain on Food,’ which rolls out throughout September. Spanning short films, influencer partnerships and commissioned out-of-home murals by LA artists, every aspect of the integrated campaign cements Postmates as the brand that satisfies the most extreme cravings.

The campaign was ideated and developed with Postmates’ Los Angeles-based creative agency, Mother.

Seeking more creative campaigns? Check out our Ad of the Day section and sign up for our Ads of the Week newsletter so you don’t miss a story.