Articles from AdWeek Advertising and branding

Publicis Groupe, in the process of a merger with Omnicom Group, said organic growth was flat in the fourth quarter of last year, in contrast to a 3 percent rise in the first nine months. The French holding company attributed the flattening to continuing Eurozone economic problems, the slowdown in emerging economies—particularly in China—and the postponement or cancellation of ad campaigns.

In Cadillac's latest commercial from ad agency Rogue, airing during the Olympics, we take a tour of the souped-up American dream while our host (played by Neal McDonough) waxes poetic about the virtues of working hard and owning stuff—and manages to throw a few digs at other countries for living more leisurely lifestyles and being less industrious. "Other countries, they work. They stroll home. They stop by the cafe. They take August off. Off. Why aren't you like that? Why aren't we like that?

In 1959, the Barbie doll hit store shelves, Cadillac rolled out its biggest fins, and Richard DeVos and Jay Van Andel, two high school friends from Ada, Mich., began selling soap door to door. Does that last one seem out of place? It’s not. The company the pair founded is Amway, which last year grossed $11.8 billion. Not unlike Halliburton or TIAA-CREF, Amway is a company many have heard of but few are good at explaining. Amway sells hundreds of consumer products—everything from lipstick to pots and pans.

There's a lot going on in this 60-second Valentine's Day commercial, but it would probably spoil things to reveal either the product or the plot. Suffice it to say there are several surprises here, though it all adds up to quite a heartwarming commercial. "We felt this view of life was a story that was not being told with the authenticity and compassion it deserved," the company's CEO said in a statement. The spot will air on Bravo and E! in seven major U.S. markets. There was no ad agency involved.