Ads of the Week: 8 Campaigns That Caught Our Eye, From Aerie to Cheetos

This week’s best ads span the personal and the political, the comic and the sincere.

Pamela Anderson championed AI-free authenticity for Aerie, Cardi B tackled inbox anxiety for Yahoo Mail, and Bruce Springsteen gave his voice to one of the most consequential legal battles in recent memory.

Plus, KFC dared fans to prove their devotion to chicken, and Peroni reminded people it’s been an Italian masterpiece all along.

Our Most Effective Ad of the Week, in partnership with EDO, is just in time for spring.

Aerie | “100% Aerie Real” by Shadow Creative Marketing & Communications

Aerie partnered with Pamela Anderson to double down on its commitment to authenticity and spread the word that AI can’t manufacture realness. The collaboration follows its October pledge to never use AI-generated images of bodies or people in its campaigns.

Yahoo Mail | “Cardi B Busy” 

Inbox anxiety is so relatable, even Cardi B deals with it. The rapper introduces the concept of “FOMSI” (fear of missing something important) in a Yahoo Mail campaign pushing the platform’s new AI-powered productivity tool, Planner. Now Cardi B can focus on what really matters, like laughing at her haters.

Rula | “Turn Off the Talk Track” by Mischief @ No Fixed Address

Rula’s new national campaign dramatizes the inner negotiations people have to avoid starting therapy — “my problems aren’t bad enough,” “I’ll deal with it later” — and pairs it with a clever real-world activation: free therapy sessions available exclusively between 2–4 a.m., targeting the restless, overthinking hours when people might finally be ready to stop talking themselves out of getting help.

ACLU | “The Beat”

In a rare move, Bruce Springsteen authorized the ACLU to use “Born in the U.S.A.” for a national campaign launching ahead of the organization’s April 1 Supreme Court arguments defending birthright citizenship. The ad pairs the iconic anthem with everyday American imagery to drive home a simple message: if you’re born here, you belong here.

Cheetos | “Pickle’s Back – Megan Thee Stallion & Nickelback” 

Cheetos turned the relaunch of its Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle flavor into a nostalgic pop culture moment by enlisting Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion and rock legends Nickelback to star in an over-the-top, pickle-themed music video parody of “How You Remind Me,” directed by Dave Meyers.

Peroni Nastro Azzuro | “Only” by McCann London

Peroni’s new global platform cheekily borrows from Italy’s habit of understatement, placing the lager alongside the Trevi Fountain, the Birth of Venus, and Ferrari, and describing each as “ONLY a fountain,” “ONLY a painting,” “ONLY a car.” It’s a wink at the brand’s own Italian masterpiece status.

KFC | “How Much Do You Believe in Chicken?” by Mother

KFC’s three-year-old “Believe” platform enters its next chapter with a spot that follows blindfolded, faith-driven chicken devotees enduring a night-long ordeal. Only one makes it to sunrise to claim the ultimate reward. The campaign goes beyond the film with a mysterious QR code in every ad that leads fans to a sign-up page for a real competition, with the ultimate “believer” winning a golden egg and £50,000 later this year.

Most Effective Ad of the Week

Xyzal | “Be Wise All, Take Xyzal“

Xyzal’s ad debuted on February 9 and focuses on the brand’s allergy relief benefits, emphasizing that it’s taken at night so users can wake up feeling good and stay ahead of symptoms for a full 24 hours. The spot positions Xyzal as a reliable, all-day solution for allergy sufferers. The ad was 222% more effective than the average ad in the OTC: Allergies category during the week of March 18–24 and aired most frequently on Game Show Network and TV Land. It was also featured on National Geographic Wild, USA Network, Paramount Network, and other cable networks.