"Within throwing distance of Apple stores around Manhattan and Google's New York HQ, bus stop posters teased the Big Tech giants. "AI can't generate sand between your toes," one read. "No one on their deathbed ever said: I wish I'd spent more time on my phone," said another. The ribbing came from Polaroid, promoting its point-and-click Flip camera. "We are such an analog brand that basically gave us the permission: We can own that conversation," said Patricia Varella, Polaroid's creative director."
"Aerie's promise not to use AI in its ads was the brand's most popular Instagram post in the past year. In India, the candy brand Cadbury 5 Star ran a campaign entitled "Make AI Mediocre Again," a fictional movement to flood the internet with nonsensical websites to trick content-scrapers. And DC Comics' Jim Lee said the company will "not support AI-generated storytelling or artwork.""
Several major consumer brands are launching anti-AI marketing campaigns that emphasize human authenticity and analog experiences. Examples include Polaroid bus-stop ads mocking tech giants, Heineken billboards promoting in-person socializing, Aerie pledging not to use AI in ads, and Cadbury staging a "Make AI Mediocre Again" stunt. Some creators and companies, such as DC Comics, have publicly declined support for AI-generated creative work. The backlash reflects Gen Z concerns about environment and mental health, workplace resistance to mandatory AI use, and brands' strategic choice to signal values to wary consumers.
Read at Business Insider
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]