2024 saw the marketing industry debate the ethics of AI and push for greater sustainability. It saw brands struggle to stay agile and ahead of the curve.
With Christmas around the corner and the new year swiftly approaching, we take a look back at our six most popular stories from this year.
6. Smirnoff x Dutch Barn
Coming in at number six was: Ricky Gervais releases ‘worst advert ever’ for the UK’s fastest-selling vodka brand
This story, published at the start of the year, resonated highly with the Marketing Beat audience.
The contentious ad was extremely popular with the social media crowd as Ricky Gervais did the opposite of what most would expect by encouraging consumers to not buy the product.
It highlights Gervais’ dry sense of humour and features the star alongside a doctor (who he points out is a paid actor) listing all the health risks associated with drinking alcohol. The actor even goes so far as to encourage viewers to purchase rival Smiroff, pointing out it is much cheaper.
Ricky Gervais releases ‘worst advert ever’ for UK’s fastest-selling vodka brand
5. Heinz’s culinary confessions
At number five was: Heinz gets saucy in new culinary confessions campaign
This ad saw Heinz take inspiration from real culinary confessions and ran across UK print, OOH, social media (including YouTube), and digital channels.
Created in partnership with VML Spain, ‘Family Portraits’ celebrated rule breakers as they undertake irrational acts of love for the Heinz range of pasta sauces.
4. Heinz’s advertising misstep
Number four: Why the Heinz Halloween advert was more than a misstep
Marketing Beats’ fourth most popular story featured condiment brand Heinz again, but this time showed it in a much less positive light.
The food firm had to pull its Halloween-themed It Ha Ha has to be Heinz’ advert altogether, amid accusations of racist overtones.
Initially launched as a nod to the Joker film, each of the advert’s actors were shown enjoying chips, burgers, or hot dogs with their lips lined with ketchup to represent the Joker’s iconic smile.
However, many people criticised the campaign saying it had blackface connotations and was reminiscent of minstrel shows.
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3. McDonald’s ‘A little more mmm’
Number 3: McDonald’s celebrates updated beef menu with operatic new ad
Our third most popular story this year was another ad campaign – surprise surprise – this time featuring the archetypal fast food brand, McDonald’s.
The integrated marketing campaign ‘A little more mmm’ highlighted improvements the chain had made to some of its menu items, including the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and the Double Cheeseburger.
Developed by creative agency Leo Burnett and planned by OMD the ad ran through to 26 May across the UK and Ireland.
McDonald’s celebrates updated beef menu with operatic new ad
2. Pot Noodle’s censored ad
Number 2: Pot Noodle censors viral ‘slurping’ ad to appease offended viewers
Marketing Beats’ second most popular story this year saw instant noodle brand, Pot Noodle, ‘censor’ its Nothing Satisfies Like a Pot Noodle’ ad after negative backlash from viewers.
Indeed the original spot created quite the controversy on Marketing Beat too, with one commenter stating: “Get this revolting advert off the TV”.
The original ad saw a woman emitting slurping sounds as she enjoyed pot noodles in her office kitchen much to the horror of her co-worker’s and the British public.
Pot Noodle censors viral ‘slurping’ ad to appease offended viewers
1. Gala Bingo – ‘The Answer is Bingo’
Number One: Gala Bingo launches farcical ident series in celebration of ‘The Chase’ sponsorship
And coming in at number 1, Marketing Beats’ most popular story of the year was Gala Bingo’s series of idents that featured a fictional game show ‘The Answer is Bingo’.
The fictitious game show is based on the popular show The Chase but contestants soon release that it is not a straightforward imitation. Things descend into chaos when the contestants discover the answer to every single question is, ‘BINGO!’
Gala Bingo launches farcical ident series in celebration of ‘The Chase’ sponsorship
