Every week, I attempt to share a curated list of top new creative ads. Nike’s ‘rip the script’ and few others related to the FIFA World Cup are part of this week’s compilation.
Nike: Rip The Script
It’s football World Cup time, and every major advertiser is investing in brand campaigns related to the event. Many of the ads have celebrities, great production values, eye-popping graphics and scale. In that context, Nike has released ‘Rip the script’ with a bevy of stars: football legends like Didier Drogba, Eric Cantona, Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as celebrities such as Channing Tatum, Travis Scott and Kim Kardashian. The one-line story: football celebrities do what they do best – play great football instinctively, not following a ‘script’ dictated by a director.
It’s a brilliantly simple idea making the most of Nike’s celebrity endorsement might. The charming script brings a smile and would have the average football fan enjoying the fun moments. The various cameo appearances and twists in the film make for great repeat viewing too. Loved it.
Agency: Wieden+Kennedy
Apple: Privacy on iPhone
A concept is often personified in advertising to tell a story. Remember the famous ad where ‘wind’ was personified? As in the previous spots on the topic, Apple ‘brings alive’ data trackers as pesky clingers-on to people on Android phones. The dangers of your private information being made available to others comes alive starkly in this concept.
Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab, LA
Paddy Power: nobody does football better than us
‘Americanisms’ are a source of amusement and target for humour for the British. The difference in approach to a sport is a great anchor to ask ‘who really does football better?’ Hollywood actor Rob Lowe and British actor Danny Dyer face off in this amusing spot for betting brand Paddy Power.
Agency: BBH
LIDL: retail awards
Apparently, LIDL won many retail industry awards recently. A print ad says thank you and drives home the value proposition in a refreshing manner. A well-crafted print ad is a rarity to see nowadays, at least in India.
Coca-Cola: No Better Feeling – FIFA World Cup 2026™
Football has emotional fan following and every game has potential for both elation and despair. Fortunes can change any moment and passions run high. Many sports-based ad films are anchored on this and the story line is usually predictable (the last ball six being the common denouement in cricket-based ones). Despite that, Coca-Cola has made an engaging film.
Agency: WPP Open X
Novartis: The Guide
Pharmaceutical brands have a lot of restrictions in advertising. The category is mostly known for boring advertising. Novartis has released a beautifully crafted, emotive film ti raise awareness about cardiovascular health. The film tells the story of a young girl’s family history of heart attacks, ending in a conversation with a doctor and the recommendation to test her Lp(a) levels.
Wealthsimple: the end of banking
‘Old-school banking is over’ is the claim made by Wealthsimple in Canada. A launch film dramatises the typical annoyances related to the old ways of branch banking and depicts the ‘infrastructure’ as crumbling down.
Which one was your favourite? Do comment in.
