Amy Houston

Glasgow

Senior Reporter at The Drum

Senior Reporter @thedrum covering creative news. not on Twitter so much anymore, get me on LinkedIn 👁️ email: [email protected] she/ her

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Articles

TradewarTok: what Chinese factories’ claims about Hermès, Dior & Gucci mean for luxury brands

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

In turn, these creators and factory owners are prompting consumers to buy directly from their Chinese factories at significantly lower prices. It stems from a viral video from an alleged Birkin bag manufacturer in China, which revealed that a bag selling at a retail price of $34,000 only costs around $1,400 to make. Want to go deeper?
Ad of the Day: Ironic spot highlights sexist stereotypes and gender pay gap

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

To mark ‘Employee Day,’ the organization has released a darkly humorous ad suggesting that behind every successful male employer stands an entire workforce of underpaid women. The parodic spot introduces Jef, a self-proclaimed feminist boss and newly anointed Manager of the Year. In a series of blackly comic scenes, Jef proudly reveals the secret to his profitability: a team made up entirely of women, who are high-performing, dependable and, more importantly, 20% cheaper.
Ad of the Day: Zendaya goes on trippy space mission in On spot

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

Renowned artist Nadia Lee Cohen, who is celebrated for her surreal and otherworldly visual style, directed the cinematic, fictional sci-fi trailer. Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, also played a key role in bringing the vision to life. The project featured elaborate prosthetics and imaginative costumes. Set in a futuristic world, the spot follows Zendaya on a space-bound mission, accompanied by a close-knit crew.
Beyoncé and Levi’s reimagine iconic 80s ‘Refrigerator’ ad

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

Set in a sun-drenched roadside diner, the film reimagines the 1988 ‘Refrigerator’ ad, with Beyoncé as the lead. This chapter transforms the ad’s original spirit with a modern take and features a special cameo from Willie Jones, a collaborator on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter album. Want to go deeper?
DIY truths laid bare in Taskrabbit’s witty and relatable spots

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

Each of the three spots features a central protagonist navigating the chaos of everyday life, with the tension balanced by a calm and composed filming style. “The films at the heart of this campaign tell such a complete and recognizable story in just a few seconds,” said Rory Gilbride, co-founder of Insiders.
Ad of the Day: Ikea celebrates its furniture’s role in toddlers’ first steps

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

For the ‘Supporting First Steps’ campaign, the Swedish furniture giant is showing youngsters using sofas, TV stands and chairs as walking aids as they take their first steps. The campaign is the result of a creative collaboration between Al-Futtaim Ikea, Ingo Hamburg and Ale Burset and will roll out across various platforms throughout the Middle East. It will appear in out-of-home displays, digital screens, print publications and across the brand’s social media channels.
Spotify ads celebrates fans of Oasis, Doechii and Chappell Roan

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

The nuances, inside jokes and shared experiences that make fandoms so powerful are laid bare in each image, celebrating the vibrant communities. For example, around the world, fans have added Oasis to more than 97m user-generated playlists on Spotify and while she may be known as the ‘Midwest Princess,’ Chappell Roan’s fanbase spans far and wide, with London, New York City, Sydney, Dublin and Chicago the five cities that listen to her most. Want to go deeper?
Nike marks Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters win

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

Nike was quick off the mark after Rory McIlroy won his first Masters tournament and completed a career grand slam – a feat that does not come around often.
How brand sponsorship is being rewritten in 2025

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

The sponsorship landscape is evolving. While celebrity-fronted campaigns still make headlines, 2025 is all about micro-sponsorship, authentic communities and flexible, hybrid strategies that respond to cultural shifts in real time. Micro-influence, major impactBrands are turning to smaller creators for deeper, more trusted connections with their audiences.
Ad of the Day: Stella says it’s worth taking an elbow to the ribs for

1 week ago | thedrum.com | Amy Houston

Stella Artois has unveiled a highly relatable series of images that showcase people in busy surroundings, grappling with a full pint of beer. According to the brand, “We’ve all been there. An elbow to the ribs, a complimentary nudge in the back and toes sacrificed to a heaving crowd. But with a Stella in hand. It’s worth it.” Want to go deeper? Ask The Drum The images were captured by Argentinian photographer Ale Burset, who has previously worked with brands such as Heinz and Magnum.