Drink Cart Friday Shot: How do you like them apples?

Your Friday newsletter shot of ads, apple picking and questionable creative decisions.

Dear marketing fans, and any of you who will decide to disable your email notifications (I see you). You guessed it, I’m trying some Friday bonus content out. Enjoy!

This is the Drink Cart Friday Shot. Just 5 quick things I’m thinking about, watching and maybe even drinking. Maybe they didn’t make it into the new Wednesday newsletter. Maybe I was hoarding the good links for myself. We’ll never know.

But first, a shot. Something perfect for the change in season, weather and temperature. Something to drink before you pull on the old cable knit sweater and go apple picking for the ‘gram. Or to a forthcoming corn maze or pumpkin patch.

The Apple Pie Shot

• 3/4 oz vodka

• 1/4 oz Fireball

• 1 oz apple cider

• Sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top, you know, to be fancy

1. Advertising reality shows

I love that normies want to watch people do advertising. In 2012 they tried this less as a documentary style show of agencies pitching against each other to maximum cringe levels. The Pitch would last 16 episodes and two seasons on AMC.

Now On Brand, Jimmy Fallon’s new advertising reality show is launching later this month for a $100,000 prize. The trailer is something else especially that Jimmy “loves advertising.”

2. Two random things in gambling

First: Did BetMGM replace Jamie Foxx with John Hamm? Or is this part of their extended MGM universe? Sounds like he’s the new face. I’m not sure about the random parlay but I do like that this was set at a real hot dog joint in Clifton, New Jersey called Rutt’s Hut.

I’m fascinated by this part: “This isn’t just a campaign — it’s a reimagining of what BetMGM stands for,” BetMGM Chief Marketing Officer, CaseyHurbis said. “We’re at the forefront of entertainment and gaming, with the spirit of Las Vegas woven into our DNA.”

Second: Did you know there is a Masterclass in sports betting now - so you can start your sports betting journey. Don’t worry the journey is simply 1 hour and 8 minutes and you are printing money after. That’s science.

3. It’s way too early for this

My feed is already going nuts over holiday stuff. It’s the first week of September and somehow content creators have already unlocked the BOOschetta! phase of social media.

They are also hocking Gingerbread AT-ATs for Star Wars fans. But don’t worry this isn’t for eating its actually a 697 piece Lego set for $59.99 and it comes with a Gingerbread Darth Vader. Also not edible.

Now, I will allow that some clever person is selling retro cool Spuds MacKenzie Halloween Bud Light Hats.

4. I don’t hate the sentiment of this

This one’s been running since late May, but it’s the best ad I’ve seen to cut through the BS of tariffs and Elbows up.

5. Ad History Diet Coke (1984)

Can you even imagine getting an F16 fighter jet into your Diet Soda commercial? It’s actually insane. But then you add in a jingle. Chuck Yeager. Tommy Lasorda. Christy Brinkley. Aerobics. Headbands. It’s almost too much 80s in 30 seconds.

Fun fact: I once pitched a script for the launch of a new cell phone that involved a fighter jet lighting a giant barbecue pit on fire that featured a pre-cancelled Mario Batali. I’m still mad about that one.

Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend.

Jackson.

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The Drink Cart Friday Shot is your late Friday pick-me-up for pop culture brains and ad junkies. A fast pour of ad insights and hot takes, served like a quick round at your favourite dive bar after a week of client feedback.