This week, the NBA finals are underway and while the battle to determine the ultimate winner between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers is just getting underway, there is one clear winner present already: ABC. Not only is this matchup a re-match between the two teams from last year's finals, but it also features Steph Curry and Lebron James - two basketball titans - two brands unto themselves that drive ad placement, sales and numbers. Certainly, the longer this series goes, the more money is made. The station stands to potentially reach 30 million viewers - the most in 18…

Canada may be cold, but the nation, and particularly its athletes want you to know that they aren't afraid of a little winter heat this Summer at the 2016 Olympics. These beautiful spots cheekily play on the conception that Canada is always/only cold - and also the irony that the cold is what will be the very thing to prepare the Olympians for the contrasting warm temperatures of Brazil. A sort of homage to the nation, these spots display the fierceness of the competitors and the landscape that helped make them so. Source: http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/team-canadas-winter-warriors-prep-warmer-weather-striking-rio-2016-ads-171118

Last week, Instagram redid their logo and look for the first time - and there was no small amount of backlash against the (effectively) rebranding. Why change a logo and look that is so iconic and recognizable? "Modernization" was the key point in Instagram's lengthy explanation - so long and detailed in fact that many felt it undermined the change, to have to justify it so staunchly. The logo is hardly recognizable - the brand recognition is no longer there. Take another change - Budweiser's beer can that replaces the word "Budweiser" with "America." As opposed to an overall change…

In case you don't follow the NBA, Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors is something of a Unicorn. (A Unicorn is that individual who composes so many talents and skills they are almost mythical). Under Armour has capitalized on this fact and is having some fun with Curry for the playoff season. Under Armour of course sponsors the athlete. Curry is well-known for his accuracy at the 3-point shot. Under Armour cleverly has begun releasing a 3-second video each time Curry makes a 3-point shot in a playoff game. Fun, enticing, and a slow build--check out a few of the…

The Summer Olympics are coming up later this summer - and while the ads and spots are not in full swing yet, we can imagine they will start ramping up. Nike has created a new spot that is (per usual) bold and inspiring. The spot features 4 athletes from Greece - the founding country of the Olympics and a country deep in crisis. The ad both brings awareness to the crisis as well as employs its standard "Just do it" as a sort of encouragement - to Greece and to anyone in need of motivation. Watch the spot: https://youtu.be/F-Ra4TqQ7bQ   Source:…