If May was quirky, June turned things downright surreal. Waltzing octopuses, giant logos that nearly blocked the stairs — brands embraced the absurd, the nostalgic, and the downright delightful.
Here are the five campaigns that cut through the noise and the trends they reveal about modern marketing.
1) Coca-Cola x Disney: Refresh Your Galaxy
To celebrate 70 years of partnership, Coca-Cola and Disney collaborated on a Star Wars experience that went far beyond a typical tie-in.
The campaign featured 30 limited-edition cans and bottles with characters from across the saga. Plus, there were three ultra-rare designs available only in Disney parks.
But the real magic was interactive: fans could scan cans to unlock AR holograms or record their own blue-glowing Star Wars messages.
Why it worked:
- Treated fans with real respect—this wasn’t lazy licensing, but a love letter to the fandom
- The AR experience turned a static product into a digital playground
- The cinematic launch film nailed the playful ritual of collecting and sharing
💡 Trend highlight: Fandom-first marketing is booming. When brands tap into genuine fan passion, they earn loyalty that lasts beyond the campaign.
2) Canva: Make the Logo Absurdly Bigger
Canva took the classic design headache — make the logo bigger — and turned it into a funny stunt.
At London’s Waterloo Station, billboards showed giant logos that were “way too big.” One poster stuck out over the stairs. Another was so tall it broke out of the frame. The whole idea was a playful nod to every designer who’s ever rolled their eyes at that request.
Why it stood out:
- Instantly relatable to designers and marketers alike
- Showed Canva doesn’t take itself too seriously — rare for a SaaS brand
- Turned an inside joke into a headline-grabbing spectacle
💡 Trend highlight: Humor and self-mockery are powerful tools for brands — especially when they celebrate the work (and the headaches) of their own audience.
3) New Balance: Stars in a Shoebox
To promote its tennis-inspired T-500 sneaker, New Balance released a new film in its Quiet Please campaign, directed by Tom Emmerson at Red Buoy.
The ad shows a strange football-tennis match taking place inside a giant New Balance shoebox. Real Madrid’s Endrick and model Gabriely Miranda watch from a country club lounge, while Jack Harlow crashes the scene with a loud, funny cameo.
Using VFX, miniatures, and sports choreography, the campaign is running across social media, online, and movie theaters..
Why it worked:
- It delivers a surreal, playful take on sport that keeps viewers guessing.
- The cast showcases star power in unexpected roles.
- The visuals are fun, polished, and shareable.
💡 Trend highlight: Sport storytelling is leaning into humor and fantasy to stand out from serious performance ads.
4) Oasis x Adidas: Original Forever
Ahead of their reunion tour, Oasis and Adidas joined forces for a campaign full of attitude and nostalgia.
“Original Forever” celebrated the band’s legacy with new co-branded apparel and a pop-up store in Manchester. The campaign balanced music, fashion, and cultural pride in a way that felt both authentic and exciting.
Why it stood out:
- Perfectly timed to ride the Oasis reunion buzz
- Evoked the spirit of 90s Britpop without feeling dated
- The Manchester pop-up brought fans together offline
💡 Trend highlight: Cultural collaborations are more powerful when they feel organic, and when brands share the stage rather than hog the spotlight.
5. BMW: Octowaltz
Forget sleek driving shots — BMW’s latest film stars a waltzing CGI octopus.
Created by Jung von Matt Hamburg, the surreal ad uses an octopus to show how most cars have controls everywhere. BMW’s new Heart of Joy technology is different — it connects everything in one “brain,” making driving feel smooth and coordinated.
Why it worked:
- Visually mesmerizing and totally unexpected in the auto category
- Transformed complex tech into a simple, poetic idea
- The graceful animation made it rewatchable (and shareable)
💡 Trend highlight: Tech storytelling is evolving. Brands are moving beyond specs to create rich visual metaphors that simplify — and elevate — the message.
What June 2025’s Best Ads Tell Us
- Weird is wonderful. Whether it’s a dancing octopus or a logo so big it blocks your commute, surreal visuals are stopping people in their tracks.
- Fandoms rule. Brands that respect and celebrate their communities — Star Wars collectors, Oasis devotees — unlock emotional loyalty.
- Play beats polish. Humor, self-awareness, and bold ideas are helping brands feel more human and relatable.
- Hybrid experiences win. The best campaigns didn’t just show up online or offline. They blended both to create something immersive.
In a world saturated with content, June proved that unexpected stories — and a healthy dose of fun — are still the ultimate attention grabbers.
