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Gandalf sells flights, Burger King sells shields

Unskippable ads, grumpy kids, and clever copy galore.

Welcome back to your daily marketing swipe file. The best ads, served fresh daily, and as tasty as your favorite slice of pepperoni pizza. 🍕 Let’s dig in.

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Fly Emirates, You Fools

  • What’s happening: Claro Video hijacks one of the most legendary lines in cinematic history—Gandalf’s desperate plea in The Lord of the Rings—and twists it into an ad-interrupted mess: “Fly Emirates, You Fools.” The joke? The line’s been corrupted by a mid-scene airline ad. The minimalist red background and subtle VHS texture drive home the message: ads ruin everything.

  • Why it’s awesome: It’s smart, punchy, and hilariously savage. The ad doesn’t need imagery or actors—it weaponizes pop culture and pure frustration with mid-stream ads. It also throws subtle shade at a brand (Emirates) without being obnoxious, making you side with Claro for defending the sacredness of uninterrupted storytelling. It's witty, nerdy, and deeply relatable.

The Shield Crown of the King

  • What’s happening: A Burger King customer stands outside the store, masked up, crowned, and holding a brown bag of hot food. But there’s a twist: the iconic Burger King paper crown now comes with a built-in face shield. The visual is peak 2020s, and the caption—“The Shield Crown of the King”—turns it into a whole moment.

  • Why it’s awesome: This ad turns necessity into novelty. Instead of treating face shields as sterile or boring, Burger King flips it into a symbol of safety and brand pride. The combo of humor, safety, and fast-food swagger makes this a perfect example of how brands leaned into pandemic creativity without losing voice. It’s funny, responsible, and super shareable—all while keeping that Burger King bite.

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When You Have to Wear a Cone and You Feel All Self-Conscious

  • What’s happening: No dog in sight, no anxious face, just one short line of text on a soft, muted background. Down in the corner? A tiny bottle of Africanpure pet CBD oil and a quiet promise: “A pure and simple range of CBD drops, dedicated to naturally restoring balance and relieving anxiety in your dogs.”

  • Why it’s awesome: This ad gets what it’s like to be a dog with feelings. Instead of showing the typical sad-eyed pup with a cone, it flips the script and speaks from the inside out. The copy is tender, even a little funny, and loaded with emotional honesty. You instantly get it: this product isn’t just for calming your pet—it’s for honoring their emotional world. Minimalism here doesn’t mean silence; it means focus.

Finally, a Stable Connection

  • What’s happening: In charming, vintage-style illustration, a woman connects—literally—with a horse, her face lit up with joy. Above her: “Finally, a Stable Connection.” Yep, you caught the pun. Beneath it: #ShareTheLex. It’s not just clever wordplay—it’s Lexington’s brand soul, with horses at the heart.

  • Why it’s awesome: This is cheeky genius. It borrows tech lingo ("stable connection") and reboots it into something delightfully analog and grounded. The layered pun doesn’t just get a chuckle—it makes you feel like you're escaping a digital haze and stepping into something more real, more heartfelt. The design nails it too: warm, organic colors and retro flair instantly transport you to the slow charm of horse country.

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Give Him What He Wants

  • What’s happening: Front and center is a young boy giving the camera the ultimate grumpy stare—arms crossed, sweater still rocking the price tag, and zero chill in sight. Floating around him are PlayStation’s iconic button symbols. The copy cuts through: “Give him what he wants.” Oh, and the date? August 16: Children’s Day. Message received.

  • Why it’s awesome: This ad gets straight to the emotional blackmail—and owns it. It’s funny because it’s true: kids don’t want sweaters. They want games. The contrast between the cozy, unwanted gift and the kid's visible frustration sets up the joke, while the floating symbols seal the brand identity without even needing a console in sight. It’s playful, efficient, and a little bit savage in the best way.

P.S. Want to collaborate?

Here are some ways.

  1. Share today’s news with someone who would dig it. It really helps us to grow.

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  3. Deeper integrations. If it’s some longer form storytelling you are after, reply to this email and we can get the ball rolling.

That’s a wrap! We hope these bold, fun, and inspiring ads gave you your daily dose of creative energy. See you soon for some more best-in-class marketing goodies!

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