Q1 2025 wrapped — and these brands did not come to play

2025 Q1 is wrapped up, and while many stuck to the safe lane, a few brands swerved off-road — and we’re here for every unhinged minute of it. It’s time to zoom in on the campaigns that really deserve more attention. Think outside the box? Honestly, the box is long gone. We’re in a post-box era now — no limits, no rules, just vibes. Let’s go.

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1. Heineken: a bottle opener you didn’t know you had

Let’s kick things off with a crisp twist — Heineken just turned your phone into a bottle opener. No, not literally (please don’t break your screen), but creatively. In a clever social media play, Heineken used the camera exposure slider on phones to simulate popping open a cold one. Sleek, interactive, and a little absurd — exactly what we like.

Social Media Ad
Verdict: Low-tech hack meets high-concept marketing. Cheers to that.

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2. Cheetos Pants: haute mess

Cheetos have finally addressed the age-old question: where do you wipe your fingers after diving into a bag of that orange goodness? The answer: your pants. Because now, your pants are the napkin.

Yes, the Cheetos Pants are here. Limited-edition trousers made specifically for Cheeto-coated hands. Functional, ridiculous, and dangerously close to couture.

Promo Video

Verdict: A fashion statement, a lifestyle, and a public service. Genius.

3. Mentos Fizzooka: now in Fortnite (and IRL)

Mentos entered the Fortnite universe with a bang —literally. Introducing the Fizzooka, a soda-blasting bazooka inspired by the classic cola + Mentos explosion. It exists in the game and real life. The IRL version? Over a meter long and reportedly strong enough to knock over a shed.

Promo Video

Verdict: Who needs realism when you have a soda cannon?

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4. KFC: who needs doors anyway?

In the UAE, KFC has launched its “Out-Door” campaign, and yep — they’re actually removing restaurant doors. Why? To prove they’re open 24/7. The once-functional doors are now turned into literal billboards.

Verdict: Is it a door? Is it a metaphor? Is it just hot in here? Either way — iconic.

5. Aryna Sabalenka x Nike: Smash the Limits

Nike teamed up with tennis powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka and the result? She destroys an SUV. Not with a bat. Not with a sledgehammer. With her serve. Clocking 214 km/h, it’s part promo, part flex, and all power. Wieden+Kennedy nailed the visuals. Sabalenka nailed the SUV.

Promo Video

Verdict: That serve? Illegal in 14 countries and emotionally devastating.

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6. Aer Lingus: the ‘Irish Exit’ rebrand

Ever ghosted a party? Congrats, you’ve pulled an Irish Exit. Aer Lingus decided to reclaim and rebrand the term for their new Nashville–Dublin route. The result? A charming, clever, culturally sharp campaign that turns spontaneity into strategy.

Campaign Post

Verdict: Marketing with a wink. Who knew ghosting could look this good?

7. Kahlúa’s ‘Schneaky’ Glass: fake a Guinness, sip a martini

St. Paddy’s Day got a sneaky upgrade thanks to Kahlúa. They dropped the ‘Schneaky’ Espresso Martini glass, which looks like a pint of stout but holds a cocktail. No more pretending to love Guinness — now you can blend in and enjoy your espresso martini.

Promo Video: equal parts cheeky and brilliant.
Verdict: Best disguise since Clark Kent’s glasses.

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Final thoughts: let weird lead

If Q1 taught us anything, it’s this: safe is out, strange is in. Whether you’re swapping napkins for pants, or unlocking beer with your phone, 2025 is here to remind us that creativity has no ceiling — only the limits we set for ourselves. So go ahead, remove a door, fire a soda rocket, wear snack-stained trousers with pride. The future of marketing? It’s unhinged. And honestly? We love it here.