Will Ferrell in Briefs? (Plus: Rolex, Dunkin' & The New Knicks Champ)
Written By: Lexi Rapnikas
Campaign of the Week: Skims x Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell is proving once again that comedy sells. The actor has become the unexpected face of SKIMS' latest menswear campaign, posing in nothing but briefs as his over-the-top alter ego, washed-up golf legend Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins, to promote his upcoming Netflix comedy series The Hawk. Narrated by Kim Kardashian, the campaign blends Ferrell's signature humor with Skims' celebrity-driven marketing playbook, turning a fictional character into a viral social media personality ahead of the show's July 16 premiere. It's an unconventional brand collaboration that's already generating major buzz online.
Jalen Brunson is Just Salad's Newest Partner
Fresh off leading New York to its first NBA title in over 50 years, Knicks star Jalen Brunson is stepping into the business world as an investor in $1 billion fast-casual chain Just Salad. The deal, in the works for about a year and a half, marks both Brunson’s first restaurant investment and the brand’s first athlete partnership. A longtime fan of the Midtown-born chain, Brunson said he was drawn to its New York roots and values-driven mission, and will take a hands-on role supporting brand strategy and engagement. Founded in 2006 near Madison Square Garden, Just Salad now has 125+ locations and is planning continued expansion with 30 new stores in 2026 as it builds on steady revenue growth and profitability.
Rolex at Wimbledon
ROLEX just served up an absolute masterclass in experiential marketing…or did they? Social media went into a frenzy over a jaw-dropping visual "takeover" at Wimbledon: a massive installation of Rolex’s iconic crown emblem crafted entirely from yellow umbrellas. While it appeared designed to capture overhead broadcast cameras and stun the thousands of fans packing the stands, the brilliant twist is that this high-impact spectacle was actually a hyper-realistic, AI-generated concept.
By turning traditional court-side sponsorship on its head without ever touching a physical umbrella, this digital-first mirage perfectly bridged the line between reality and imagination, generating massive organic buzz while subtly nodding to the brand's legendary "Wimbledon" Datejust dial. For marketers, it is a brilliant reminder that the future of out-of-home advertising doesn't even require being "out of home,” if you go big, leverage your iconic brand assets, and design for the ultimate camera angle, AI can create a viral moment that commands the world's attention.
Revlon x Dunkin’ Create the Perfect Morning
Revlon and Dunkin' caffeinated the morning routine market by giving us a genius, high-energy pop-up activation that proved hair styling and morning coffee are the ultimate power couple. By intercepting consumers during their peak morning commute hours with free iced coffee and quick hair touch-ups, the brands transformed a standard product launch into a high-utility experiential event. This strategic partnership allowed Revlon to insert its new VersaStyler directly into the daily habits of Dunkin’s loyal, captive audience, effectively proving that time-saving beauty tools and quick morning fuel go hand in hand.
John Deere x MLB for America's 250th Anniversary
Founded in 1837, John Deere is beautifully balancing nostalgia with next-gen innovation to capture younger audiences. By pairing its legendary agricultural roots with autonomous tech, the iconic green-and-yellow brand is modernizing its story through high-impact moves, including a multi-year MLB partnership for the America250 milestone and a viral, creator-led TikTok strategy featuring their "Chief Tractor Officer." Ultimately, Deere is proving that honoring your heritage doesn't mean getting stuck in the past; it's about evolving alongside the people who build, work, and grow the future.
