March roared in like a lion—with giant cats scaling buildings in London—and left with a trail of unforgettable campaigns that dared to be bold, bizarre, and brilliantly human. This month, from surreal stunts to emotionally rich storytelling, proved that advertising still has the power to surprise, delight, and even give us the ick (in the best way possible—looking at you, Dr. Rick).
Progressive brought back its reluctant life coach in a hilariously cringeworthy spot that reminds new homeowners they’re just one tote bag away from turning into their parents. Over in the UK, Dreamies honored Respect Your Cat Day by unleashing massive feline invaders on London billboards, proving that meow-marketing still reigns supreme. Meanwhile, Paramount+ took a wild swing with a “Yellowjackets meets Survivor” mashup in its cinematic “Find Your Mountain” campaign—one that’s as unsettling as it is epic.
Also making our list: Apple made us dance and Old Spice made us laugh our collective asses off. Read on for the best, boldest, and downright weirdest ads of March 2025.
1. Old Spice goes full swashbuckler in hilarious new ad
Old Spice has once again raised the bar for absurdly entertaining advertising, this time setting sail on the high seas for a campaign that’s as fresh as its legendary scent.
Created by independent Spanish agency Burns, the “Unbelievably Long-Lasting—It Can Only Be Old Spice” campaign takes a playful jab at deodorants that fail to live up to their promises. And what better way to prove Old Spice’s new, longer-lasting formula than by putting it to the ultimate test—aboard a filthy, foul-smelling pirate ship?
2. Pedro Pascal dances through heartache in Apple’s AirPods 4 ad, Directed by Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze, who memorably directed Apple’s 2018 HomePod spot “Welcome Home” starring FKA twigs, returned for his second Apple project—a short film for the AirPods 4 starring Pedro Pascal, who seeks solace in the world of music after a breakup.
As he walks forlornly through the world, Pascal uses the device’s Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to brighten up his world, which visually transforms throughout the film. The bleak winter scene is infused with life, and Pascal is suddenly moved to dance, bringing everyone else along for the ride. TBWA\Media Arts Lab created the dreamlike spot.
3. Dr. Rick returns in hilariously cringe-worthy Progressive spot
The good doctor came back in a new Progressive spot— from Arnold Worldwide, and this time, he’s tackling one of the most subtle symptoms of “Parentamorphosis”: the uncontrollable urge to fill awkward silences with even more awkward small talk.
In “Pump Talk,” the beloved Parenta-Life Coach observes in dismay as a young homeowner—filling up at a gas station—breaks the silence with unsolicited tips about the bathroom code and squeegee technique. It’s all painfully polite… and hilariously parental. The spot ends with the voiceover: “Progressive can’t protect you from becoming your parents, but we can protect your home and auto when you bundle with us.”Watch the hilarity below:
4. Yellowjackets meets Survivor in Paramount+ campaign
Paramount+ kicked off its latest brand campaign, “Find Your Mountain on Paramount+,” with a star-studded new ad spot that brings the cast of Yellowjackets face-to-face with Survivor host Jeff Probst for the ultimate Tribal Council showdown.
The spot, created by Droga5 and directed by Traktor, features Jeff Probst (Survivor), Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets), in a hilariously intense crossover that imagines what would happen if the Yellowjackets cast had to compete on Survivor. Probst leads Shauna (Sophie Nélisse), Taissa (Jasmin Savoy Brown), and the Yellowjackets tribe through difficult challenges and a shocking Tribal Council vote.
5. Giant cats climb London billboards for Dreamies
Giant cats were on the loose last month in the UK. In honor of Respect Your Cat Day, Mars Inc.’s cat treat brand Dreamies unleashed an eye-popping new outdoor campaign that’s got Londoners doing a double-take—and probably clutching their kibble.
The campaign, aptly titled “Ad Attack,” features giant hand-painted cat fiberglass sculptures scaling multi-story billboards across the city. No, you’re not hallucinating. These oversized kitties are mid-climb, claws out, in hot pursuit of those delicious Dreamies treats. The attention to detail is uncanny—whiskers twitching, tails flicking, hunger undeniable. “Cats don’t just ask for Dreamies—they attack for them,” the campaign seems to purr.
6. Beyoncé and Levi’s reinvent denim in “Pool Hall” Campaign
Beyoncé came back with another jaw-dropping collaboration with Levi’s, this time taking over a pool hall in the latest installment of the REIIMAGINE campaign. Following the success of the “Launderette” spot, which reimagined a classic Levi’s ad, “Pool Hall” brings an edgy, modern twist to the brand’s legacy with a denim-on-denim showdown featuring none other than Justified star Timothy Olyphant.
Colin Costello is the West Coast Editor of Reel 360 News. Contact him at colin@reel360.com or follow him on Twitter at @colinthewriter1
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