The Drink Cart: Drink Your AI Juice
The only ad newsletter that won't force-feed you AI juice without asking first.
Dear marketing fans and everyone whose boss just got their Sora access code.
I love the loop holes. The ones where have Kendall Jenner pump and dump her Mexican made, Kardashian owned, tequila in the LCBO, but I can’t buy bourbon and maybe not even Crown Royal soon. Where our city is focused on the noise Pickleball makes. Where we remake things like Amadeus but it looks worse than the original.
Where our government can spend $75 million in our money on ads in the US. Buy local. But not necessarily local ads. Bold choice Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off. Where we Doug Ford pours whiskey out over rye but just lost another car plant to the US after giving them $15 billion. Will he drive the car off the CN Tower?
But hey, one thing I think we can all agree on is that this video is very accurate in its portrayal of AI in business right now.
And since I needed a laugh, this made me laugh. Wait for the punch line. Or kick line.
Drink Cart Approved™ agency discussion topics
Don’t worry. Right after the slot video business model has turned into an ATM, ChatGPT is now working on sexy AI.
You are going to want to crank the behind the scenes of the recording of the Chilli’s Baby Back Ribs ad jingle.
Things I didn’t know. Ethan Hawk directed Lisa Loeb’s Stay music video.
Ad History: Kool-Aid (1976)
Since we used the Kool-Aid Man in our intro, the least I could do was share one of their classic ads. I can’t believe Kool-Aid wasn’t on the most wanted list the way he destroyed small businesses in every ad.
Meanwhile since it’s spooky season you can just mix up a giant pitcher of orange juice for the most cliched Trick or Treaters of all time.
Ad History: Budweiser (1992)
I love seeing actors in TV spots. Here’s ER’s Eriq LaSalle getting the gold medal in a 1992 Olympic Budweiser spot that is pretty epic.
Slow TV is still around
Belmond is dropping hour long quiet shots of locations that are the most soothing thing you’ll probably watch all week.
As First Class Jerk noted, “Each video captures an hour of real-time footage from their destinations: Venetian canals, trains cutting through the Andes, jungle rivers in Myanmar. No voiceover, nothing overly polished. Just simple movement, atmospheric sounds, and unmistakable luxury.”
Great Scott!
There are plenty of nostalgic, brand collaborations. But this one, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future by Casino is in the top tier. Putting the limited edition watch in a VHS case is like nostalgia cat nip for Instagram.
How was this only 34 years ago?
It’s 1991 and you are ordering Star Trek: The Next Generation on VHS by telephone. And these ads are running so often how do you even resist? What happens if you call this old 1-800 number? Can you still order?
And if you think that awesome, wait until you watch the Star Trek Encyclopedia ad. The acting in this is a master class.
RIP Diane Keaton
We lost a true original this past Saturday when Diane Keaton passed away at 79. The Oscar-winning actress, known for her quirky charm and those iconic turtlenecks, left behind a legacy that spans over five decades of unforgettable performances. Including in some early ads.
From her breakthrough as Kay Adams in “The Godfather” to her Academy Award-winning turn in “Annie Hall,” Keaton defined what it meant to be both funny and vulnerable on screen. And she absolutely crushed later roles like “Something’s Gotta Give” and “Father of the Bride.”
The clip above is a Diane Keaton classic shilling deodorant. There’s also this amazing Endust ad where the dreaded white glove strikes - something my Father told me about as a thing growing up, but didn’t realize they were making commercials about people who did this.
Last call: The Drink Cart: Pumpkin Spice White Russian
Breakout your decorative gourds.
Embrace the cozy vibes of fall with the Pumpkin Spice White Russian. A seasonal twist on the classic cocktail that’s equal parts indulgent and sophisticated.
This creamy cocktial combines smooth vodka and rich coffee liqueur with a generous splash of pumpkin spice cream. This is the perfect after-dinner treat for crisp October evenings. Whether you’re unwinding after a pitch or drowning your sorrows, this boozy homage to everyone’s favorite fall flavor will have you saying “the Dude abides” all season long.
Here’s my take on it:
2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
1 oz heavy cream or pumpkin spice creamer (if you don’t have the PS cream, make some PS syrup: 1 oz pumpkin spice syrup)
Serve in ice.
Sprinkle with some more pumpkin spice.
Drink Cart Pro tip: For homemade pumpkin spice syrup, mix equal parts sugar and water, add 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice per cup, simmer for 5 minutes, then strain.
Now here’s that Lisa Loeb video.
The Drink Cart is your weekly fuel for pop culture brains and ad junkies. A cocktail of ad insights and hot takes that feel like you’re hanging at your favourite dive bar after launching your latest campaign.
That Back to the Future ad is amazingly done. Great attention to detail.