AdSpace by The Agency

Elise and Jackson are signing off as the hosts of AdSpace as they graduate from the University of Kansas this weekend. To close things out, we saved some of the best campaigns for last. From an Adidas short film we couldn’t stop watching to Canva’s absurd stunt that captured everyone’s attention, this week’s picks highlight how bold, unconventional creativity wins over Gen Z audiences.

In ad and PR news, we break down Trade Desk Chief Strategy Officer Samantha Jacobson’s move to VP of Partnerships at OpenAI, and what it could mean for the future of independent demand-side platforms. Plus, a social trend that feels especially fitting for our final episode: Gen Z vs. Millennial ad copy.

And for our last-ever Battle of the Brands, Jameson and Dove go head-to-head for the title of best World Cup spot of the week. 

From all of us at AdSpace, thank you for listening, supporting, and growing with us. Creative strategy is what drives us, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who tuned in to hear our perspective on the campaigns shaping culture today.

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https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

This week, Jackson and Elise break down campaigns from Claire's and Skittles that appeal to all five of the senses. They’re also gearing up for the World Cup with Modelo’s latest spot, which prioritizes connection and culture over expensive stadium tickets.

For this week’s social trend, Jackson and Elise dive into why John Summit, the DJ beloved by Gen Z, lit his Rimowa suitcase on fire last week.

In ad news, we’ll cover why Google and Meta are experiencing a “digital ad boom,” as The New York Times calls it, and how Gen Z really feels about oversaturated movie brand partnerships.

Lastly, the Battle of the Brands a million girls wanted: Who delivered the best The Devil Wears Prada 2 brand partnership? 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

Fresh off their District 9 National Student Advertising Competition win, Elise and Jackson are back from hiatus with standout campaigns you won’t want to miss. First, Pinterest takes a bold, nostalgic turn with “How Did They Do It?," a campaign encouraging users to go offline. Then, they explore how On is evolving beyond performance wear into a cultural lifestyle brand with “Shape of Dreams.” Finally, the WNBA celebrates its 30th anniversary with an omnichannel campaign honoring the league’s GOATs.

For the social trend of the week, the hosts break down the Alix Earle vs. Alex Cooper internet drama and explore how brands can tap into gossip-driven, tea-style accounts to connect with Gen Z audiences.

In advertising and PR news, Nike is facing backlash over an out-of-touch Boston Marathon billboard. Elise and Jackson discuss how Gen Z responds not just to initial brand missteps, but to how brands respond to controversy. 

To close out the episode, Battle of the Brands heads to the desert to decide which brand won Coachella. 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

In this week's episode, Elise and Jackson break down brands that just get it when it comes to Gen Z: NPR’s “For Your Right to Be Curious” campaign, Heineken’s “The Pub That Refused to Die,” and how Rhode always taps the latest “It Girl” at exactly the right time.

Later, they tackle how social media managers can beat trend fatigue when our feeds become clogged with overdone trends.

In Battle of the Brands, Elise and Jackson face the elephant in the room: McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward, memeable taste test video. Then, they debate which burger giant clapped back better.

Finally, in the Three-Minute Meeting, they strategize how local jewelry brand Kristin Christopher can expand beyond art fairs and drive online sales.

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

For our very first audio/video episode, Elise and Jackson dive into ads that feel like cinema. From Adidas’ “Superstar” campaign to Saucony’s “The Runners” film and H&M’s ode to New York style, clever brands are moving from quick, social-friendly spots to long-form, artful stories that sell culture, not just a product. These are the cinematic campaigns sticking with Gen Z; Jackson and Elise unpack exactly why.

In Battle of the Brands, two unexpected brand collabs go head-to-head to see who nailed the brief better.

And for the Three-Minute Meeting, the hosts develop a strategy for Kansas City vintage shop Hula Hoop Vintage to turn their social media buzz into in-store and online sales.

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

This week, Elise and Jackson discuss the unique channels brands are using to break through the noise and reach Gen Z both online and out of home. From the world's first digital thrift store on Roblox, to Dove's Reddit page, this week's campaigns make unexpected, yet authentic moves to gain Gen Z's loyalty. 

Speaking of unexpected success, the hosts discuss eBay's purchase of Depop, an online reselling platform that owes its fame to Gen Z consumers. 

Finally, in the Battle of the Brands, dating app giants, Hinge and Tinder, fight for Gen Z's attention. Jackson and Elise debate which brand is addressing Gen Z's issues with dating better. 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

Jackson and Elise may be happily taken, but brands weren’t courting Gen Z couples this Valentine’s Day. Instead, they targeted singles with playful campaigns like “Bad Boyfriend Boot Camp,” promotions for Singles Awareness Day, and brand activations that allow scorned Gen Zs to name a rat after their toxic exes. In this episode, the hosts unpack why Gen Z is the “most single generation," and how brands are evolving they way they communicate about love and heartbreak following a cultural shift towards intentional independence. 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

For a very special Super Bowl episode, Elise and Jackson rank the top 12, Big Game ads aimed at Gen Z . From Claude's jab at Open AI, to the "Kardashian Kurse," they break down why certain ads were a hit with Gen Z, and why others made them cringe.  

Then, Elise and Jackson pit three beer brands against each other in Battle of the Brands to see which beer won the most Gen Z hearts during the Big Game. 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

From breakup diamonds and Olympic tear‑jerkers to cursed betting streaks and a global Bad Bunny dance party, this episode of AdSpace dives into the boldest new campaigns trying to win Gen Z’s attention. 

Elise and Jackson break down JCPenney’s “Ex‑Change” Valentine’s stunt, Hershey’s “Happiness is the Real Gold” Winter Olympics brand relaunch, Fanatics Sportsbook’s “Bet on Kendall” Super Bowl debut, and Apple Music’s “El Mundo Bailará” halftime show tease with Bad Bunny.

They also spotlight the DIY Dr Pepper TikTok jingle that jumped from a casual post to a national TV ad and close with quick-hit headlines on Netflix moving into video podcasts and OpenAI testing ads inside ChatGPT. Tune in for sharp, Gen Z‑driven analysis on where advertising is heading next.

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

AdSpace is back from winter break, and Elise and Jackson are kicking off the new year with a stacked lineup of campaigns, headlines, and a battle of mocktails! In the Ad Update, they break down Instagram's new "Reels on TV" spot, Dove's Bridgerton season 4 collab "Let Them Talk," and Calvin Klein's Valentine's Day "Together in Our Calvins" campaign, discussing how each leans into communal viewing and authenticity to win over Gen Z. 

Then, they spotlight Disney+ dropping the entire High School Musical movie on TikTok in 52 parts and why vertical, short-form storytelling keeps Gen Z audiences watching all the way through. Then, it's on to ad and PR headlines from Netflix's revamp of their original $83 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, to Pinterest's shakeup as it tries (again) to become Gen Z's AI-powered shopping destination. 

To top it all off, Battle of the Brands returns with a showdown of the Shirley Temples: Ollipop vs. Poppi go head-to-head tapping dry January and Gen-Z nostalgia for their latest campaigns. Tune in to find out which campaigns land, which miss, and which better-for-you Shirley Temple deserves a permanent spot in your fridge! 

 https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy

https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency

This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast. 

© The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved

You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.