Craig Allen: Why creatives are better than AI

W+K NY pairs anime with McDonald's | Dagger, Aflac duck play "Charades" | VML shows Knoxville through the eyes of a dog Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( February 22, 2024 CONNECT WITH 4A's  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [4A's SmartBrief]( News for the advertising, media, and marcom industries [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( ADVERTISEMENT Top Story [] [W+K NY pairs anime with McDonald's]( W+K NY pairs anime with McDonald's (McDonald's USA/PRNewswire) Wieden+Kennedy New York created an anime-inspired global "WcDonald's" campaign, which introduces a Savory Chili sauce with WcNuggets and manga-style packaging illustrated by artist Acky Bright. The packaging features QR codes that unlock manga characters and a four-part video series, which debuts Monday and forms the basis of ads running across TV and social. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (2/21), [Adweek]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [An effective alternative to traditional advertising]( With its precise targeting capabilities, high engagement and cost-effective campaigns, connected TV advertising offers a compelling alternative to traditional advertising channels. Join industry experts as they explore which CTV trends you should embrace and how to integrate them with other marketing strategies. [Register now](. ADVERTISEMENT: [] Creative [] [Dagger, Aflac duck play "Charades"]( [Dagger, Aflac duck play "Charades"]( (Aflac/YouTube) Dagger created a humorous 30-second "Charades" spot for Aflac, which shows the brand's duck playing the game with a group of friends. The campaign was produced with the help of Tom Amico and Eric David, the original creators of the iconic duck. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [VML shows Knoxville through the eyes of a dog]( [VML shows Knoxville through the eyes of a dog]( (Visit Knoxville/YouTube) VML created a nine-minute "Welcome to Barxville, A Knoxville Dogumentary" film for Visit Knoxville, which stars Hank, a golden retriever, who shows his perspective of why the city is such a great place for dogs. The film is voiced by renowned locals, including Peyton Manning and Drew and Ellie Holcomb. Full Story: [Adweek]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Agency Insider [] [Craig Allen: Why creatives are better than AI]( The use of AI in creative work is helpful up to a point, writes Craig Allen, Callen founder and chief creative officer, but can never replace the fearlessness, humor and silliness necessary to connect with audiences on a human level. "The best advertising is able to tap into the human experience, something AI by nature cannot do," Allen writes, noting, "I always push my creative team to find the angle that is weird and off-beat." Full Story: [Muse by Clio]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [McCann's Campopiano: Super Bowl inspires confidence]( This year's Super Bowl ads, in particular those from Dunkin', CeraVe, DoorDash and Reese's, show there's hope that the industry can finally stop harking back to the good old advertising days and start having confidence again in creative ideas, writes Javier Campopiano, global chief creative officer of McCann Worldgroup. "We have to be impatiently impatient; it's time for us to get our confidence back as an industry. To lead instead of simply trying to keep up," Campopiano writes. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Free eBooks and Resources Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [The Proof is Out There: Discover True Buyer-Level Intent Data]( - [Unlocking The Potential of ChatGPT]( - [7 Mistakes to Avoid When You Set New Years Goals for 2024]( - [What To Do When Stress Gets the Best of You]( - [The Future of AI in Technology]( [] Agency News [] [Tough times for those trying to break into advertising]( Advertising students and those seeking entry-level jobs in the industry talk about their difficulties in finding work. Marla Kaplowitz, president and CEO of the 4A's offers some tips, noting, "It is a tougher market in that the pendulum has swung back to the employer. There are not as many openings. ... You just have to be very open." Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (2/21) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] - [72andSunny New York hires Ali Cornford as managing director]( Adweek (2/21) [] - [B2B agencies grow as clients focus on creativity]( Adweek (2/20) [] Media & Technology Trends [] [Walmart aims to expand ad business with Vizio acquisition]( [Walmart aims to expand ad business with Vizio acquisition]( (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Walmart will pay $2.3 billion, or $11.50 per share, in cash to buy smart TV maker Vizio, in a move the retailer will use to build up its advertising business and create new advertising opportunities for brands. Vizio's SmartCast Operating System lets users stream ad-supported content and its Platform Plus boasts more than 500 direct advertiser partners. Full Story: [The Verge]( (2/20), [CNBC]( (2/20) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Sharing 4A's SmartBrief with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/aaaa/?referrerId=iXmpAZYZQV [] [] I don't have any idea of how many people listen to or like what we do, but I can honestly say that when I leave this Earth that I've made a contribution to the arts. [Dexter Romweber](, singer, guitarist 1966-2024 [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT 4A's: [Homepage]( | [Training Programs]( | [All Upcoming Events](   SmartBrief publishes more than 200 free industry newsletters - [Browse our portfolio]( [Sign Up]( | [Update Profile]( | [Advertise with SmartBrief]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy policy]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:aaaa@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE](mailto:dmalouf@smartbrief.com) [SmartBrief Future]( Copyright © 2024 SmartBrief. All Rights Reserved. A division of Future US LLC Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036.