The Burger Wars: Why the Viral McDonald's Taste Test Was a Miss for Gen Z

The AdSpace Season 1 Finale with Adidas, Canva, and Liquid Death

Elise and Jackson are signing off as the hosts of AdSpace as they graduate from the University of Kansas this weekend. To close things out, we saved some of the best campaigns for last. From an Adidas short film we couldn’t stop watching to Canva’s absurd stunt that captured everyone’s attention, this week’s picks highlight how bold, unconventional creativity wins over Gen Z audiences. In ad and PR news, we break down Trade Desk Chief Strategy Officer Samantha Jacobson’s move to VP of Partnerships at OpenAI, and what it could mean for the future of independent demand-side platforms. Plus, a social trend that feels especially fitting for our final episode: Gen Z vs. Millennial ad copy. And for our last-ever Battle of the Brands, Jameson and Dove go head-to-head for the title of best World Cup spot of the week.  From all of us at AdSpace, thank you for listening, supporting, and growing with us. Creative strategy is what drives us, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who tuned in to hear our perspective on the campaigns shaping culture today.  https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy [https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy] https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency [https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency] This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast.  © The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

Claire's Brand Comeback Means Leaving Gen Z Behind

This week, Jackson and Elise break down campaigns from Claire's and Skittles that appeal to all five of the senses. They’re also gearing up for the World Cup with Modelo’s latest spot, which prioritizes connection and culture over expensive stadium tickets. For this week’s social trend, Jackson and Elise dive into why John Summit, the DJ beloved by Gen Z, lit his Rimowa suitcase on fire last week. In ad news, we’ll cover why Google and Meta are experiencing a “digital ad boom,” as The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/technology/ai-artificial-intelligence-ad-boom.html] calls it, and how Gen Z really feels about oversaturated movie brand partnerships. Lastly, the Battle of the Brands a million girls wanted: Who delivered the best The Devil Wears Prada 2 brand partnership?   https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy [https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy] https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency [https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency] This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast.  © The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

Pinterest Goes Offline, On’s Cultural Shift & the Future of the WNBA

Fresh off their District 9 National Student Advertising Competition win, Elise and Jackson are back from hiatus with standout campaigns you won’t want to miss. First, Pinterest takes a bold, nostalgic turn with “How Did They Do It?," a campaign encouraging users to go offline. Then, they explore how On is evolving beyond performance wear into a cultural lifestyle brand with “Shape of Dreams.” Finally, the WNBA celebrates its 30th anniversary with an omnichannel campaign honoring the league’s GOATs. For the social trend of the week, the hosts break down the Alix Earle vs. Alex Cooper internet drama and explore how brands can tap into gossip-driven, tea-style accounts to connect with Gen Z audiences. In advertising and PR news, Nike is facing backlash over an out-of-touch Boston Marathon billboard. Elise and Jackson discuss how Gen Z responds not just to initial brand missteps, but to how brands respond to controversy.  To close out the episode, Battle of the Brands heads to the desert to decide which brand won Coachella.   https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy [https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy] https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency [https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency] This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast.  © The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

The Burger Wars: Why the Viral McDonald's Taste Test Was a Miss for Gen Z

In this week's episode, Elise and Jackson break down brands that just get it when it comes to Gen Z: NPR’s “For Your Right to Be Curious” campaign, Heineken’s “The Pub That Refused to Die,” and how Rhode always taps the latest “It Girl” at exactly the right time. Later, they tackle how social media managers can beat trend fatigue when our feeds become clogged with overdone trends. In Battle of the Brands, Elise and Jackson face the elephant in the room: McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski’s awkward, memeable taste test video. Then, they debate which burger giant clapped back better. Finally, in the Three-Minute Meeting, they strategize how local jewelry brand Kristin Christopher can expand beyond art fairs and drive online sales.  https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy [https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy] https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency [https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency] This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast.  © The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.

Gen Z Doesn't Want Ads, They Want Art

For our very first audio/video episode, Elise and Jackson dive into ads that feel like cinema. From Adidas’ “Superstar” campaign to Saucony’s “The Runners” film and H&M’s ode to New York style, clever brands are moving from quick, social-friendly spots to long-form, artful stories that sell culture, not just a product. These are the cinematic campaigns sticking with Gen Z; Jackson and Elise unpack exactly why. In Battle of the Brands, two unexpected brand collabs go head-to-head to see who nailed the brief better. And for the Three-Minute Meeting, the hosts develop a strategy for Kansas City vintage shop Hula Hoop Vintage to turn their social media buzz into in-store and online sales.  https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy [https://www.instagram.com/theagencyku?igsh=aWZ0M3FvZWhubnQy] https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency [https://www.youtube.com/@AdSpacebyTheAgency] This student-produced podcast is opinions and commentary and does not reflect the views of any organization. Any opinions presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, The Agency does not endorse, approve, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast.  © The Agency 2025 All Rights Reserved You may not reproduce, distribute or modify this Podcast without written permission.