Best Ads of the Week: The Salvation Army, Beats, Toyota, Zoom, Supercell

Welcome to the Best Ads of the Week, DesignRush's new weekly roundup highlighting the campaigns that broke through the noise.

Each week, we'll spotlight the creative work that stood out through smart storytelling, cultural relevance, or production decisions that grabbed our attention.

This week’s selection highlights five brands that earned attention by understanding their audiences and taking calculated creative risks.

1. The Salvation Army: ‘One Up’

BarkleyOKRP and Spark & Riot’s spot opens with humor as two neighbors donate items to a Salvation Army store, then pivots quickly.

The film darkens when a nearby struggle with addiction is revealed, connecting donations to recovery through the Adult Rehabilitation Center.

The impact comes from restraint, showing outcomes without sentimentality or shock.

2. Beats x IShowSpeed

Beats by Dre launched its first major creator campaign with YouTube streamer IShowSpeed, a five-minute martial arts film that tests Powerbeats Pro 2's stability.

Miramar and director Daniel Wolfe shot the ad on Super 16mm film, casting real Shaolin monks and a veteran from Jackie Chan's stunt team.

The film premiered during IShowSpeed's Friday livestream, reaching 86 million YouTube subscribers without traditional media buys.

3. Toyota: 'Quiet Strength

Toyota spotlights Bay Area musician Ashley Mehta and her song “Vision” through a regional partnership with FOX Entertainment Music.

Produced by independent agency H/L, the campaign relied on more than 20 local creators to extend reach beyond paid placements.

Its strength came from cultural specificity, grounding the brand in a real community rather than a broad demographic message.

4. Zoom x Bowen Yang

Zoom leaned into workplace frustration with ‘I Use Zoom!’, starring Bowen Yang as an overbearing IT manager facing employee revolt.

Created by Colin Jost's No Notes Productions, the spot will air during the College Football Playoffs and the Super Bowl pre-show.

The humor landed because it reflected everyday collaboration pain points instead of product features.

5. Supercell: ‘Buffies Forever!’

Supercell’s campaign flips nostalgic toy advertising into exaggerated physical chaos to promote new Brawl Stars power-ups.

Director Bine Bach used absurd violence to parody ’90s toy-commercial tropes.

The campaign succeeded by trusting players to embrace discomfort rather than softening the joke.

Three patterns emerged across this week's best work that show which direction creative is heading in:

• Production quality signals intent. Treat digital and creator-led work with the same craft and care as premium film or TV.
• Cultural specificity builds credibility. Anchor campaigns in real communities and experiences instead of generic messaging.
• Familiar formats need a twist. Referencing the past works best when brands turn it into something unexpected rather than merely replaying it.

As we reach the end of 2025, the creator economy also continues to reshape brand partnerships.

Research shows 61% of Gen Z trust influencer recommendations more than traditional celebrity endorsements, helping explain why creator-led work keeps breaking through.

This week showed that brands earn attention through authenticity, community grounding, and smart twists on familiar formats.

Our Pick: The Salvation Army

If I had to choose one campaign that got it right this week, it’s The Salvation Army’s "One Up."

The spot earns attention by changing tone midstream, trusting viewers to follow a more serious turn without explanation or theatrics.

This confidence spoke to me, especially for a nonprofit, because it ties giving directly to human consequence rather than abstract goodwill.

In a week full of strong campaigns, I think this one stood out by saying less and meaning more.

As we head into the final holiday week, check out our roundup of 2025's best holiday campaigns to see how nostalgia and imperfect moments have connected with audiences this year.

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