Ajaz Ahmed resigns as CEO of AKQA

The Many turns a toy ad into a Diablo IV bloodbath | Arts & Letters says "There's no place like Chrome" | Tombras, Spirit put Frankie Muniz "not in the middle" Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( October 18, 2024 CONNECT WITH 4A's  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [4A's SmartBrief]( News for the advertising, media, and marcom industries [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( [] Top Story [] [The Many turns a toy ad into a Diablo IV bloodbath]( [The Many turns a toy ad into a Diablo IV bloodbath]( (Diablo/YouTube) The Many is touting Blizzard Entertainment's new game, "Diablo IV: Vessels of Hatred," with a 30-second spot spoofing 1980s and '90s toy advertising. The ad shows a man playing with his "SlayPal" in the backyard, as a jingle relays some of the doll's darker proclivities, which soon become evident as the joyful scene turns bloody. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [Webinar] Embracing Retail Media Networks Brands must choose the right strategies to maximize their ROI within retail media networks, especially as competition for ad space grows. Join this webinar to learn the latest trends and actionable strategies for retail media networks. [Register now](. ADVERTISEMENT [] Creative [] [Arts & Letters says "There's no place like Chrome"]( Arts & Letters' latest work in Google Chrome's "The World's Most Trusted Browser" campaign touts its security and privacy capabilities while reminding consumers, "There's no place like Chrome." The push is running across social and out of home, including ads in Times Square and at the World Trade Center. Full Story: [DesignRush]( (10/17), [Forbes (tiered subscription model)]( (10/18) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Tombras, Spirit put Frankie Muniz "not in the middle"]( [Tombras, Spirit put Frankie Muniz "not in the middle"]( (Spirit Airlines/YouTube) Tombras' debut for Spirit Airlines stars actor Frankie Muniz, who revels in the flight's "Go Comfy" option -- where a blocked middle seat gives passengers more space. "Ever since I was a kid, I've been in the middle," says the "Malcolm in the Middle" star, before joyously exploring the delights of his newfound "not in the middle" status. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Agency Insider [] [Omelet's Ricardo Diaz: Transform your agency with AI]( Ricardo Diaz, partner and chief innovation officer at Omelet, describes five ways creative agencies can get ahead by integrating generative AI into internal processes, including investing in experimentation, developing AI policies and empowering staff. "Your agency has the opportunity to revolutionize the industry from the inside and can be at the forefront of this new wave of business transformation," Diaz writes. Full Story: [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Why social has killed generational marketing]( Social media algorithms that serve content across age ranges based on user behavior have made generational marketing obsolete, which is why delving into insights to identify trendsetters, cultural moments and multigenerational experiences is more important than ever, writes B Lalanne, vice president of data and technology for Crispin. "Reliance on generational labels can perpetuate stereotypes that do more harm than good," Lalanne writes. Full Story: [Adweek]( (10/17) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( FREE EBOOKS AND RESOURCES Free eBooks and resources brought to you by our sponsors - [125 Practical Modern Job Search Tips For 2024-2025]( - [7 Hard Hitting Interview Tips]( - [7 Steps To A Winning Culture Checklist]( - [Ultimate Interview Guide]( [] Agency News [] [Ajaz Ahmed resigns as CEO of AKQA]( [Ajaz Ahmed resigns as CEO of AKQA]( Ahmed (AKQA) AKQA CEO and founder Ajaz Ahmed has resigned, 30 years after founding the agency and it will be led on an interim basis by the Grey and AKQA leadership team. "Serving AKQA's team, clients and values over the past 30 years has been the greatest honor of my life. ... I'm tremendously energized about the adventures ahead and the opportunity to do something new," Ahmed said. Full Story: [MediaPost Communications (free registration)]( (10/17), [Adweek]( (10/17), [Ad Age (tiered subscription model)]( (10/18) [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Media & Technology Trends [] - [OpenAI trials Windows ChatGPT app]( The Verge (10/17) [] - [Infographic: How to optimize TikTok engagement]( Social Media Today (10/17) [] - [Meta bolsters Teen Accounts safety]( MediaPost Communications (free registration) (10/17) [] 4A's News [] [4A's AInsights: Guidance, resources & training for agencies]( [4A's AInsights: Guidance, resources & training for agencies]( (4A's) Gear up to make well-informed decisions about AI and GenAI integration. The [4A's AI/GenAI Hub]( offers resources and recommendations drawn from our deep industry experience and leverages subject-matter-expertise from the agency community. Equip yourself with the insights you need to stay current and competitive. Check out the [4A's AI/GAI Hub](. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [New Guidance: Decoding Compensation Models & Implementing the Right Model]( [New Guidance: Decoding Compensation Models & Implementing the Right Model]( (4A's) Not happy with your current compensation model? Ready to consider alternatives, but not sure where to start? Want to evaluate different models to find the best fit for your agency? The 4A's and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) crafted a [comprehensive toolkit on compensation models]( to help agencies and brands. The executive-level guide dives into alternative compensation models and provides you a framework to evaluate what works best. Discover commonly used models, best practices and an in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of each model. Earlier this year, we conducted a survey of 4A's members to gather insights into compensation systems in practice. This resulting study provides valuable data and trends analysis. Paired with our [new free Toolkit](, this study will aid in strategic decisions and enable agencies to optimize compensation methodologies in line with industry trends. [Access the study here](. [LinkedIn]( [X]( [Facebook]( [Email]( LEARN MORE ABOUT 4A's: [Homepage]( | [Training Programs]( | [All Upcoming Events]( Sharing 4A's SmartBrief with your network keeps the quality of content high and these newsletters free. Help Spread the Word [SHARE]( Or copy and share your personalized link: smartbrief.com/aaaa/?referrerId=iXmpAZYZQV [] [] Who Said It? You're on the right track. Don't let anyone stop you and do it as long as you want to. You have this gift -- just keep going. 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