This headline sounds like an idea pitch created by AI

So I asked AI to create a bunch more with the same formula

John Kovacevich
6 min readJan 27, 2023

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This headline in AdAge caught my eye this week:

Rami Malek Meets Catherine Deneuve in Cartier’s Glossy Ad Directed by Guy Ritchie

Merit of the spot aside (it struck me as sort of meh), the headline made me laugh.

It’s the sort of lazy Mad Libs let’s-throw-a-bunch-of-celebs-together that passes as an “advertising idea” these days.

The headline feels like a pitch that could have been generated by ChatGPT, the AI tool that’s all the rage.

So I thought…why not let the AI robots generate a few more using the same formula!

Here’s the prompt I gave it:

Write an idea pitch based on this formula: (young actor) meets (famous older actor) in (brand name)’s (adjective) ad directed by (famous movie director)

And here are the 15 pitches it wrote for me. In seconds. (P.S. When it comes to lazy, formulaic creative ideas, the robots are definitely going to WIN, friends.)

Rising star Emma Stone teams up with Hollywood legend Tom Hanks in Coca-Cola’s heartwarming ad, directed by the acclaimed Steven Spielberg. The unlikely duo bond over a shared love of the iconic soft drink, showcasing the timeless appeal and universal appeal of the brand.

Up-and-coming actor Timothee Chalamet is paired with Academy Award winner Meryl Streep in Nike’s inspirational ad, directed by Ava DuVernay. The ad follows the two actors as they train and push each other to be their best, culminating in a final message of determination and perseverance, highlighting the brand’s message of “Just Do It.”

Young actor Ansel Elgort teams up with Hollywood icon Robert De Niro in Samsung’s cutting-edge ad, directed by Christopher Nolan. The ad showcases the latest Samsung technology and how it can bring people together, even across generations and the two actors use Samsung technology to connect in a unique and unexpected way. The ad highlights Samsung as a brand that is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Up-and-coming actor Zendaya and Hollywood veteran Morgan Freeman star in Amazon’s futuristic ad, directed by James Cameron. The ad takes place in a world where Amazon’s technology is seamlessly integrated into daily life, making it easier and more convenient for people to live their lives. The two actors showcase how Amazon’s technology improves their daily lives and makes things possible that were once thought impossible, highlighting the brand’s message of “Life made easier.”

Newcomer actor Jurnee Smollett and punk rock legend Iggy Pop star in Toyota’s edgy ad, directed by Quentin Tarantino. The ad takes place in a gritty, urban setting and follows the two actors as they navigate the city in a sleek Toyota vehicle, defying conventions and expectations. The ad highlights the brand’s message of “Unconventional, Unstoppable” and the car’s ability to handle any situation with style and attitude.

Breakout actor Daniel Kaluuya and legendary comedian Steve Martin star in Apple’s innovative ad, directed by Martin Scorsese. The ad explores the creative possibilities of Apple’s technology and how it empowers both artists to push the boundaries of their craft. The ad showcases the two actors using Apple products to create and collaborate in new and exciting ways, highlighting the brand’s message of “Think Different.”

Indie actor John Boyega and stage veteran Helen Mirren star in Tesla’s eco-friendly ad, directed by Gus Van Sant. The ad takes place in a beautiful natural setting, and follows the two actors as they explore the wilderness while driving a Tesla electric car. The ad highlights the car’s minimal impact on the environment and the brand’s commitment to sustainability. The message of “Powering a sustainable future” is reinforced as the two actors discuss their shared appreciation for the beauty of nature and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Rising star Lulu Wilson and veteran actor Jeff Bridges star in Adobe’s creative ad, directed by Wes Anderson. The ad showcases the power of Adobe’s creative software and how it empowers both artists to bring their unique visions to life. The ad follows the two actors as they use Adobe’s software to create and collaborate on a project, highlighting the brand’s message of “Creativity for all”. The ad is set in a whimsical and visually striking world, that showcases the wide range of possibilities that Adobe software can offer to the creative minds.

Newcomer actress Awkwafina and Hollywood veteran Tom Cruise star in Netflix’s binge-worthy ad, directed by J.J. Abrams. The ad takes place in a living room, and follows the two actors as they bond over their shared love of streaming on Netflix. The ad highlights the brand’s message of “Something for everyone” and the wide range of content available on the platform, from critically acclaimed dramas to binge-worthy comedies. The ad showcases the two actors laughing, crying and enjoying the different shows, highlighting how Netflix brings people together through the shared experience of watching great stories.

Up-and-coming actor Shameik Moore and Hollywood icon Will Smith star in Google’s cutting-edge ad, directed by Ryan Coogler. The ad showcases the power of Google’s technology and how it can make people’s lives easier, more convenient and more connected. The ad follows the two actors as they use Google’s products to navigate their day-to-day lives, from searching for information to scheduling appointments to staying in touch with loved ones. The ad highlights the brand’s message of “Search on, Life in” and how Google’s technology helps people make the most out of every day.

Rising star Zazie Beetz and Hollywood veteran Kevin Bacon star in Uber’s convenient ad, directed by Taika Waititi. The ad follows the two actors as they use Uber to navigate the city, from getting to work to meeting up with friends. The ad highlights the brand’s message of “Ride with Uber” and how it makes getting around easy, convenient and reliable. The ad is set in a fast-paced, vibrant urban environment, showcasing the flexibility and reliability of the Uber service, and how it allows the actors to make the most of their time and accomplish their goals.

Up-and-coming actor John David Washington and Hollywood veteran Will Ferrell star in Budweiser’s hilarious ad, directed by Adam McKay. The ad showcases the fun and laid-back attitude of Budweiser beer, and how it can be the perfect companion for any social occasion. The ad follows the two actors as they enjoy Budweiser at a backyard BBQ, with a focus on showing the comedic chemistry between the two actors and how Budweiser can bring people together. The ad’s message highlights the brand’s message of “Raise one to right now” and how Budweiser can make any moment more enjoyable

Newcomer actor Anthony Ramos and Hollywood veteran Denzel Washington star in Mastercard’s secure ad, directed by Barry Jenkins. The ad showcases the security features of Mastercard and how it keeps people’s financial information safe. The ad follows the two actors as they use their Mastercard to make purchases, with a focus on showing the various security measures that the card uses to protect their information. The ad’s message highlights the brand’s message of “Secure every moment” and how Mastercard gives the users peace of mind with every transaction they make.

Up-and-coming actor Noah Centineo and Hollywood veteran Sandra Bullock star in French’s Mustard’s family-friendly ad, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. The ad showcases the versatility and deliciousness of French’s Mustard, and how it can be used to elevate any meal. The ad follows the two actors as they enjoy a family barbecue, with a focus on showing the different ways French’s Mustard can be used to enhance the flavor of different dishes. The ad’s message highlights the brand’s message of “Bringing flavor to life” and how French’s Mustard can make any meal more delicious and enjoyable for the whole family.

(Fun fact: I shot a campaign with Dayton/Faris, back in the day!)

Rising star Jacob Elordi and Hollywood veteran Melissa McCarthy star in Totino’s Pizza Rolls’ comedic ad, directed by Paul Feig. The ad showcases the convenience and deliciousness of Totino’s Pizza Rolls, and how they can be the perfect snack for any occasion. The ad follows the two actors as they enjoy Totino’s Pizza Rolls in different scenarios, with a focus on showing the comedic situations that arise and how Totino’s Pizza Rolls can be a part of it. The ad’s message highlights the brand’s message of “Anytime snack” and how Totino’s Pizza Rolls can be enjoyed in any moment, whether it’s a party, a movie night or just a quick snack.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John Kovacevich is a creative director and the founder of Agency SOS. He writes a weekly email highlighting three bits of creative inspiration for modern marketers. You can subscribe, if you’d like.

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