Some weeks in advertising feel loud. Others feel smart. And then there are weeks like this, where brands don’t just show up, they show intent.
From spontaneous road trips and immersive billboards to AR burgers you can almost taste and New Year stories rooted in togetherness, this week’s campaigns didn’t chase attention, they earned it. There’s humour, heart, tech wizardry and cultural insight, all jostling for space in feeds, streets and living rooms.
Here’s a crisp round-up of the top 7 campaigns of the week that stood out not just for what they sold, but for how thoughtfully they told their stories.
Top 7 Campaigns of the Week
1. OPPO India – Live It Your Way
OPPO India kicked off the countdown to the Reno15 Series launch with a campaign that celebrates spontaneity and living in the moment. Set against the lush landscapes of Kerala, the film follows an unplanned journey sparked by a cancelled flight, turning disruption into discovery.
The narrative flows through forests, waterfalls, local art forms and backwater races, positioning the Reno15 Series as a creative travel companion built for unscripted moments. With a strong focus on imaging, video, and AI-led editing capabilities, the campaign blends lifestyle storytelling with product integration, reinforcing OPPO’s long-standing association with self-expression and exploration.
2. CoinSwitch – 3D Anamorphic Billboard Experience
CoinSwitch turned a Bengaluru billboard into a moment of urban spectacle with a rare 3D anamorphic execution inspired by Japan’s iconic installations. Installed at Nexus Mall, Koramangala, the campaign transforms a familiar outdoor screen into an immersive visual illusion.
Using playful, meme-inspired crypto characters animated in striking 3D, the billboard appears to break out of the frame, stopping passers-by in their tracks. Timed around New Year’s Eve, the activation focuses on curiosity and cultural relevance rather than transactional messaging, helping CoinSwitch stand out in a cluttered outdoor environment.
3. ZEE5 – Saali Mohabbat Integrated Marketing Campaign
ZEE5 extended the world of its crime–mystery thriller Saali Mohabbat far beyond the screen with a layered, insight-led marketing campaign. Built around themes of love, suspicion and betrayal, the campaign combined social storytelling, influencer narratives, spike activations and platform integrations.
A standout element was the collaboration with Ferns N Petals, where personalised notes and QR codes accompanied deliveries nationwide during premiere week. From symbolic black rose gifting to a temporary ZEE5 logo redesign, the campaign leaned into intrigue and dark humour, driving sustained cultural chatter and discovery.
4. Approach Bollywood & Go Spiritual – Aaj Mere Paas Gadi Hai
Launched specifically for New Year’s Eve, this digital-first campaign tackled drunk driving through humour and Bollywood nostalgia. By reimagining iconic film dialogues with responsible twists, the initiative used pop culture familiarity to deliver a serious road safety message.
Designed to be highly relatable and shareable, the campaign blended wit, cultural memory and social purpose, proving that public interest messaging doesn’t need to be preachy to be powerful.
5. Airbnb India – Trust the Host
Airbnb’s latest campaign leaned into warmth and misdirection to spotlight what truly makes a great stay. The film plays out as a heartfelt moment that appears romantic, until it reveals itself as a host preparing his home for guests.
By focusing on handwritten notes, thoughtful gestures and personal touches, the campaign reinforces Airbnb’s belief that hospitality begins long before check-in. Light-hearted, charming and rooted in everyday hosting behaviour, the film humanises the brand promise of trust and care.
View this post on Instagram
6. McDonald’s India (North & East) – AR-Powered Signature Collection
McDonald’s redefined print advertising by transforming a newspaper ad into an AR-led sensory experience. By scanning the print creative, readers could see the Signature burgers rise off the page in animated detail, highlighting layers, textures and indulgence.
The campaign turns a traditionally passive medium into an interactive one, blending food storytelling with technology to trigger real-world cravings. It also reinforces McDonald’s commitment to innovation while staying rooted in local sourcing and Indian taste preferences.
7. Medusa Beverages – Blame Us for the Good Times
Medusa’s New Year campaign taps into the simple truth of year-end celebrations: it’s about showing up. The film follows friends determined to meet once before the year ends, turning a casual plan into a memorable house party.
With humour and emotional warmth, Medusa positions itself as a natural part of authentic social moments rather than the centre of spectacle. The campaign subtly reframes ‘good times’ as effortless, shared experiences, made better, not louder.
This week’s campaigns didn’t rely on noise or novelty alone. They leaned into human insight, cultural relevance and smart use of technology, proving that great ideas still win, whether they live on a billboard, a newspaper page, a phone screen or a dinner table.
From immersive AR and 3D illusions to stories about trust, togetherness and spontaneity, these seven campaigns remind us why advertising, at its best, doesn’t interrupt culture, it joins it.
