Newsletter
The Top Muse News Stories and Essays of 2024
See our most-read content of the year
Ah, adland! We went through a lot together in 2024.
We shared highs and lows and silly surprises. Oodles of AI and innovation. A landscape-changing mega-merger. Plus beaucoup Ryan Reynolds and Liquid Death, too.
This industry never stands still.
But before 2025 sweeps us away in new directions, let’s revisit the most-read Muse news items of the past 12 months…
5. Apple’s ‘Relax, It’s iPhone’ Presents the Worst Karate Kid
Jan. 23
The tech titan and ace director Andreas Nilsson kicked off the year with fun product demos in the classic Apple style. Little dude in the spot below needs to find a better dojo.
4. ‘Michael CeraVe’ Wins Super Clio as the Big Game’s Best Ad
Feb. 12
A teaser blitz built big-time buzz for Michael Cera’s satirical game-day triumph. Merrily meta work from Ogilvy. This one rewrote the playbook on making Super Bowl marketing an event unto itself.
3. You Need to See the Goat in This Unhinged Viator Commercial
July 16
That title says it all: You need to see this goat. Oh, you do. It’s such a vengeful goat. From TripAdvisor’s Viator and ad agency Fig. Silliness that’s mountain high!
2. Through VR, Xfinity Puts Military Aviators Back in the Skies
April 30
Uplifting on many levels. Xfinity hosted a reunion for a squadron of Vietnam-era aviators whose shared service created a special bond. Transcendent stuff from Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
1. Steve Buscemi and Henry Winkler Voice Pigeons for DirecTV
Feb. 19
The beloved actors portrayed angry birds in TBWA\Chiat\Day’s bid to boost the popularity of DTV’s internet-based option. “Steve and Henry, both native New Yorkers, perfectly captured the ‘charming curmudgeon’ vibe we were after,” said creative director Bryan Buckley.
And now, our top five essays from industry execs and experts…
5. Inside Canada’s Golden Age of Indie Ad Agencies
Jan. 22
Tom Kenny, chief strategy officer and partner at Courage, explains that it’s all about the people, product and POV.
4. Good Portfolio, Bad Creative? It Happens
Nov. 27
Goodby creative director Kazuo Kubo explores what it really takes to make it these days. What does having a “great book” actually mean?
3. Tired Creative Tropes and the Campaigns That Transcend Them
June 10
Anthems, celebrities, cuddly babies and happy dances are so cliché. Still, they’re given us some classics. From Full Contact’s Marty Donohue.
2. Mischief’s Greg Hahn on How Young Talent Can Break Through
Sept. 3
“Our product is your brain. Your unique way of solving problems. The culmination of all your life experiences … all those dots collected waiting for you, and only you, to connect.”
1. 50 and Fired? Why Seniors Shouldn’t Be Exiled From the Ad Industry
April 25
Peter Ampe, CCO at FamousGrey, believes that your mental age is what really matters. In this biz, nimble minds trump calendar years. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Dig deep. It’s amazing what you’ll find.
