AKQA vs Digitas

AKQA Creates Google Pixel Garden Theory Campaign with Musiala

Google has launched a new social-first campaign titled 'Garden Theory' for its Pixel 11 Pro smartphone, featuring Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala. The campaign was created by digital agency group AKQA and showcases the phone's AI assistant Gemini and the 'HiLight' LED feature, which alerts users to important calls. The conceptual theme suggests that, like a garden, the phone provides a serene environment allowing users to focus amid digital noise. The campaign will run on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other digital platforms like Highsnobiety. It was produced by the production company Zero, directed by Rogelio González, with set design by Nina Oswald and floral artist Valentina Teinitzer De Pasquale. The campaign highlights how the Pixel 11 Pro helps users concentrate on what matters, aligning with Google's messaging that the device is designed to help users stay present.

• Google launched a product campaign for the Pixel 11 Pro called 'Garden Theory'.
• The campaign features footballer Jamal Musiala from FC Bayern Munich.
• The campaign was created by AKQA, a digital agency group.

HubSpot gives high performers the edge in new global campaign with AKQA

AKQA has launched a new global campaign with HubSpot, titled 'HubSpot gives high performers the edge', marking a new client partnership and campaign launch.

B2B marketer Michael Fasciano champions AI for bigger thinking

Michael Fasciano, Head of Product Marketing at Insperity and judge at The Drum Awards for B2B, discussed the role of AI in B2B marketing. He argues that AI's real value lies not in speed but in enabling marketers to dream bigger, focusing on relevance and relationships over sheer content volume. Fasciano emphasizes integrating brand and demand into one system, with AI facilitating personalized engagement at scale. He advocates for 'multidisciplinary, fork-shaped marketers' and stresses that AI transformation is a workforce challenge, requiring investment in upskilling and collaboration. He also anticipates a 'GTM architect capability' as a future trend.

• Michael Fasciano is Head of Product Marketing at Insperity.
• Fasciano judges at The Drum Awards for B2B go-to-market jury.
• Fasciano has 20 years of B2B marketing experience at IBM, Goldman Sachs, and Digitas.

Pixability Appoints Norm de Greve, Former General Motors CMO and Chairman of the MMA, to its Advisory Board

Norm de Greve, former CMO of General Motors and CVS Health and Chairman of the MMA, has joined the advisory board of Pixability, a leading AI-driven technology company that helps brands maximize YouTube advertising. In an interview with AdExchanger, de Greve highlights common mistakes brands make with YouTube marketing, emphasizing the need for an integrated strategy across paid, owned, and creator channels, which most brands lack. He also notes YouTube's growing importance as a top source for AI search and advocates for a holistic approach to content and creator management. De Greve critiques current AI use in marketing, urging brands to redesign workflows around AI rather than optimize old processes. Pixability's AI-driven approach aims to help marketers analyze organic content, amplify successful strategies, and allocate budgets more effectively across YouTube's ecosystem.

• Norm de Greve, former CMO of General Motors and CVS Health and Chairman of the MMA, joined Pixability's advisory board.
• Pixability is a YouTube-focused AI company that helps brands maximize paid and owned media and leverage creators.
• De Greve advises brands to integrate paid, owned, and creator YouTube strategies.

Agency Chiefs Prioritize AI Upskilling for Future

At Brandweek Atlanta, four agency executives discussed their top priorities for the next 6-12 months. Leaders from Digitas, Partners + Napier, Pereira O'Dell, and Walrus emphasized the need to upskill employees in AI, adapt workflows, and navigate the transformative impact of AI on the industry. They highlighted the importance of bringing people along, fostering collaboration between agencies and brands, and using AI to free up time for strategic client conversations. The roundtable, hosted by ADWEEK's Liz Kneebone, underscored the industry's focus on AI integration and talent development amidst changing client expectations and fee pressures.

• Four agency executives from Digitas, Partners + Napier, Pereira O'Dell, and Walrus participated in a roundtable at Brandweek Atlanta.
• AI upskilling and workforce adaptation were named as top priorities for the next 12 months.
• Leaders emphasized the need for agencies and brands to partner on the AI revolution.