17408: On The White House & White Advertising Agencies, Part 10.

President Donald J. Trump’s return to supremacy continues to mirror Adland.

 

The Independent reported Trump clumsily delivered a culturally clueless Pearl Harbor joke to a Japanese reporter and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

 

Was Trump inspired by iconic Adman Jerry Della Femina?

 

Incidentally, the president’s comedy routine, well, bombed.

 

Trump cracks Pearl Harbor joke when pressed by Japanese reporter on lack of warning over Iran attack

 

Oval Office crowd left briefly silent after Trump makes light of 83-year-old attack

 

By Andrew Feinberg in Washington, D.C.

 

Just over 83 years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt called the Imperial Japanese Navy’s December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor “a date that will live in infamy” as he urged Congress to declare war.

 

On Thursday, President Donald Trump turned it into a punchline.

 

Trump was finishing up a question-and-answer session with reporters during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when a Japanese journalist asked why he did not inform key American allies — such as Japan — before the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran on February 28.

 

The president initially replied that the U.S. “went in very hard” and “didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise.”

 

But Trump’s response took an awkward turn moments later when he said: “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?”

 

After some muted laughter from the U.S. officials who’d joined him for the meeting, he turned to Sanae — who was born two decades after the attack — to ask her another question.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”

 

At that point, laughter turned to audible groans. The room went silent.

 

Takaichi, who spent two years in Washington working on Capitol Hill during the Reagan administration and has a strong command of English, was clearly taken aback by the president’s attempt at humor.

 

The smile she’d had on her face disappeared and her eyes widened as she realized what Trump had just said.

 

After an awkward pause, Trump returned to the topic he’d been asked about, telling reporters, “He’s asking me about surprise, and we did.”

 

“And because of that surprise, we knocked out ... we probably knocked out 50 percent ... and much more than we anticipated doing. So if I go and tell everybody about it, there’s no longer a surprise,” he said.

 

The surprise Pearl Harbor airstrike against the U.S. Pacific Fleet on Dec. 7, 1941 left more than 2,400 American service members dead and nearly 1,200 injured from bombs and shells that sunk four American battleships and left four more severely damaged. It was the deadliest attack on American soil until the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

 

Seven of those ships were salvaged and returned to service, while the seventh — the U.S.S. Arizona — was left where it had settled just below the harbor’s surface after a Japanese bomb detonated inside a explosive powder magazine.

 

The attack took place after months of failed negotiations between Tokyo and Washington over economic sanctions imposed by the U.S., the U.K., China and The Netherlands in an attempt to deny Japan’s military the raw materials it needed to prosecute wars in China and what is now Vietnam.

 

Japan declared war on the U.S. on the day of the strikes, but the official declaration did not arrive in Washington until afterwards.

 

The Pearl Harbor attack gave Roosevelt the leverage he needed to push for the U.S. to formally enter World War II — allowing him to join ally Great Britain in fighting Adolf Hitler’s march through Europe — with the House and Senate approving declarations of war against Japan by margins of 388-1 and 82-0, respectively.

 

Less than four years later, Japan would accept America’s demand for “unconditional surrender” after the U.S. dropped the first two — and thus far the only two — nuclear weapons to be used in combat in separate strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

 

The Japanese government has never formally apologized for the infamous sneak attack, though one of Takaichi’s predecessors — the late Shinzo Abe — delivered a speech expressing "sincere and everlasting condolences" to the American and Japanese personnel killed in the fighting that day during a 2016 visit to the Pearl Harbor memorial above the wreck of Arizona.

 

Abe, who was assassinated in July 2022, said at the time that the U.S. and Japan “must never repeat the horrors of war again.”

17407: Burger King Not Flame-Broiled—Just Fired.

MediaPost reported Burger King launched a new campaign, firing its iconic King mascot.

 

No word yet if the unceremonious ouster inspires public backlash like the Cracker Barrel ‘Old Timer’ debacle, or if it’s just a promotional stunt like the Mr. Clean unretirement.

 

Will cries of ageism erupt?

 

Did BK concede to anti-DEIBA+ right-wing pressure that might be delayed outrage from the 2020 Finland Pride advertisement depicted below?

 

Scenes of the King’s dismissal seem insensitive in today’s job market, where even BK crew members face sudden termination.

 

The commercial admits the fast-food chain dropped the ball, especially in recent years; however, BK corporate executives don’t appear to be adversely affected by their self-acknowledged failures.

 

Regardless, the new campaign is hardly breakthrough and smells of appeasing desperation.

 

Dumping the responsible White advertising agency and BK CMO would represent the ultimate irony and/or king-sized karma.

 

Burger King Mascot Gets Pink Slip

 

By Tanya Gazdik

 

After several decades of dedicated service, Burger King’s mascot — yes, the King — has been shown the door. 

 

“Over the last several years, the brand has been updating its restaurant operations, technology, and appearances, as well as adjusting menu items and changing its packaging, Joel Yashinsky, CMO of Burger King US and Canada, told Marketing Brew. “Many people found the king to be creepy,” Yashinsky said. “So we’re firing the king.”

 

The brand debuted the 90-second “There’s a New King, and It’s You” spot on Sunday evening during the Oscars.

 

“What happened?” begins the ad. “There was a time when Burger King used to be king.”

 

The question has been the center of a $700 million effort to revamp Burger King’s image after the brand lost its spot as the No. 2 US burger chain in 2020.

 

“The ad traces the history of Burger King through the years and admits that ‘fast food just fell off, us included,’ noting guest complaints about ‘old restaurants, slow service [and] simple mistakes,’” according to Marketing Dive. 

 

The campaign builds on recent efforts that put the brand in consumers’ hands, including Burger King President Tom Curtis giving out his phone number to solicit feedback.

 

“Burger King took the crown for Oscars 2026 ad domination,” notes Business Insider. “It ran several spots and got host-read callouts throughout the ceremony. Its main ad saw the fast-food chain fess up to missteps and promise changes.”

 

On Tuesday, Burger King’s Instagram included a re-post from The King’s LinkedIn account where his profile photo now includes the #OpenToWork hashtag. 

 

The QSR’s financial problems run much deeper.

 

"Burger King has heavily invested in the Whopper, offering new limited-time-offer variations and basing much of its marketing around the signature sandwich,” according to The Street. 

 

But a new study from Datassential shows that beef prices have climbed much faster than burger prices.

 

Perhaps the fast-food chain hopes having one less salary (the King’s) on its payroll will offset those expenses. 

17406: WPP = White Party Pooper.

 

More About Advertising reported WPP gave up its prized Miramar Beach location at the upcoming Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

 

The White holding company probably partied on the beach last year after being named Holding Company of the Year. In 2026, WPP can expect to get sand kicked in its face.

 

WPP CEO Cindy Rose recently remarked, “I’m amazed at how many buildings we own around the world.” Looks like she’s deciding to reduce buildings and beaches—along with bodies.

 

WPP surrenders prized Cannes beach place

 

By Stephen Foster

 

WPP has given up its prized beach at the Cannes Lions, the core of its festival presence. Last year it won Holding Company of the Year, which doubtless led to party time at the beach although, with things back at London HQ rapidly heading south, this wasn’t necessarily a good look.

 

No word yet on whether new CEO Cindy Rose’s economy drive will result in fewer or even no awards entries. When Publicis canned these pre-lockdown to spend the money on Marcel it was reported as saving €50m. A worrying prospect for new Cannes owner Informa.

 

Taking over the Miramar Beach location is independent agency PMG, which plans an AI-focused space to position itself as a tech leader rather than a conventional agency. PMG founder George Popstefanov says: “Since day one, I’ve forbidden people to use the word ‘agency’ internally. I’ve always thought of us as a technology company that just happens to do marketing.”

 

Cannes is rapidly turning into a version of CES by the sea, dominated by tech companies who already bag most of the yacht places. The last fun one was arguably 2016 with the highlight Johnny Hornby and client News International’s yacht party featuring Take That and Fatboy Slim. The fact that Brexit was announced the next morning took the shine off it for some.

17405: On YABs, YACs, YAPs, YUCK.

 

Advertising Age and PR Newswire spotlighted YABs, YACs, and YAPs—Youth Advisory Boards, Youth Advisory Councils, and Youth Advisory Panels—which are described as follows:

 

Youth advisory panels (YAPs) are groups of Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers (e.g., SuperHeroes’ 80-member panel) employed by advertising agencies to provide direct, authentic insights for marketing strategies, creative development, and client pitches. These panels help brands connect with younger demographics by providing feedback, producing content, and identifying emerging trends. They are increasingly used to ensure authentic youth engagement, particularly in social media and brand strategy.

 

Based on the images above and below, YABs, YACs, and YAPs appear to be consultants of color.

 

White advertising agencies routinely appoint committees for cultural appropriation and approval, a storied tradition of delegating diversity started by tapping mailroom staff, cafeteria workers, security personnel, custodial services, and elevator attendants.

 

In recent years, White ad agencies have used such schemes to win pitches and prizes.

 

Seems like a slick workaround to conceal diminishing employment opportunities for entry-level youth in Adland.

 

Do YABs, YACs, and YAPs experience forms of Prime Redlining and crumbs compensation?

 

Probably YES.

 

YIPPEE-KI-YAY.

17404: On Pioneering & Profiteering.

 

A previous post noted Omnicom Chairman and CEO John Wren’s honorary title is changing from Pioneer of Diversity to Pioneer of Divestiture.

 

The label switch underscores the devolution of Adland and warrants consideration, criticism, and commentary.

 

For starters, Pioneer of Diversity was always a farce representing performative posturing, pseudo philanthropic propaganda, and heat shields of the past.

 

Pioneer of Divestiture symbolizes a different direction.

 

While Pioneer of Diversity feigned interest in people, Pioneer of Divestiture focuses on profit.

 

Pioneer of Divestiture priorities descend in the following order: 1) shareholders who must see quarterly reports; 2) clients who must see quarterly sales, while providing revenue, and; 3) workforce who must see to delivering products with cost-effective efficiency and/or be replaced by AI.

 

In summation, Pioneer of Divestiture is trailblazing toward Adland Armageddon.

17403: Byron Allen Increases His Starz Power.

Variety reported media mogul Byron Allen pivoted from his crusade against Mickey D’s, acquiring a 10.7% stake in Starz Entertainment for $25 million. Can’t help but wonder if Allen’s McSettlement money helped finance the Starz move.

 

One way to fight disempowerment is to seize power.

 

Byron Allen Acquires 10.7% Stake in Starz From Steve Mnuchin’s Investment Firm for $25 Million

 

By Todd Spangler

 

Allen Family Capital, the investment arm of media mogul Byron Allen, acquired a 10.7% stake in Starz Entertainment for $25 million in a private transaction with Liberty Steve Mnuchin’s Liberty 77 Capital.

 

In an announcement Thursday, Allen Family Capital said it acquired 1,803,786 common shares of Starz at a purchase price of $13.86 per common share for aggregate consideration of $25 million. The deal gives Allen — who previously didn’t own any Starz shares — beneficial ownership of approximately 10.7% of Starz’s issued and outstanding common shares.

 

On March 4, Mnuchin’s Liberty Funds entered into an agreement to sell all of the shares owned by them in a private sale transaction for $25 million, per an SEC filing. Mnuchin is the former Hollywood producer who served as Treasury Secretary during President Trump’s first term.

 

In May 2025, Lionsgate completed the split with the Starz premium cable and streaming business, which is now a separately traded company. Mnuchin owns about 13% of Lionsgate Studios and joined the company’s board in January.

 

Starz ended 2025 with 12.7 million U.S. streaming subscribers, gaining 370,000 in the year-end period. Total subscribers across Starz platforms reached 17.6 million, up 170,000 sequentially. Streaming revenue for Q4 2025 was $210.3 million (down from $239 million in the prior-year quarter), while linear and “other” revenue rose to $112.5 million vs. $105.5 million at the end of 2024. The company reported a net loss of $20.7 million, an improvement from a net loss of $31.8 million a year earlier.

 

Beverly Hills-based Allen Family Capital is the private investment firm and family office of Byron Allen.

 

Allen acquired the stake in Starz “for investment purposes and intends to review such investment on a continuing basis. As such, Allen may, depending on Starz’s performance and other market conditions, increase or decrease the investment position,” the firm said in its announcement.

 

“Allen may, from time to time, make additional acquisitions of Common Shares or other securities of Starz either in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including transactions directly with Starz,” Allen Family Capital said. Such decisions will be based on its “evaluation of Starz’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, the market for the Common Shares or other securities, other opportunities available to Allen, general economic conditions, stock market conditions and other factors.”

 

Allen Media Group, founded in 1993, owns and/or operates 27 ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox network affiliate broadcast television stations in 21 U.S. markets and 10 television networks serving nearly 300 million subscribers including the Weather Channel, TheGrio and HBCU Go. The company also produces, distributes, and sells advertising for 74 TV programs.  

17402: Obsidianworks Flowing Freely And Independently.

 

Advertising Age spotlighted Obsidianworks, the enterprise co-founded by A-list actor Michael B. Jordan and former Nike executive Chad Easterling.

 

The firm is restating its position with a “New Money America” platform.

 

The Ad Age content is definitely worth reading.

 

Michael B. Jordan’s agency regains its independence—behind Obsidianworks’ bet on ‘New Money America’

 

By Brian Bonilla

 

Obsidianworks, the agency co-founded by actor Michael B. Jordan and former Nike executive Chad Easterling, is going fully independent by buying back the minority stake previously owned by WME Group’s 160over90 since 2021.

 

The move is intended to help Obsidianworks grow faster and more deliberately, according to Easterling, who serves as the agency’s CEO. Part of that growth plan is Obsidianworks reframing its positioning to embrace what it calls “New Money America,” which Easterling describes as younger, more diverse and culturally fluid generation that is driving the largest wealth transfer in history.

 

The agency launched in 2019 and took on investment from 160over90 in 2021. At the time, reports said the investment was worth about $20 million.

 

Easterling declined to comment on the figure or disclose the financial terms of the buyback. The decision to regain full ownership was not the result of a failed partnership but rather the next phase of a plan that had been in place since the beginning, he added.

 

“When we entered the partnership, going independent was always part of the plan as well,” Easterling said. “For us and for them, it was really about wanting to help us get established—help us get the fundamentals and structure in place.”

 

160over90 wasn’t immediately available for comment.

 

Michael B. Jordan is also currently managed by WME, which is part of WME Group.

 

Obsidianworks’ origins

 

Obsidianworks was founded on the belief that the traditional agency model needed to evolve.

 

“Mike saw an opportunity from his side as an actor—working with studios and production companies that were asking him about connecting with consumers—and as a brand ambassador working with brands and trying to connect to consumers,” Easterling said.

 

From the start, the founders wanted to build a company that could scale beyond Jordan’s personal network.

 

“We didn’t want this to be where he’s trying to walk us into every single door, and he feels that pressure,” Easterling said.

 

That ambition is what made the partnership with 160over90 appealing. The relationship gave Obsidianworks infrastructure, credibility and the ability to operate like a more established agency early in its life.

 

One notable project produced alongside 160over90 was the creation of the Legacy Classic, a televised HBCU men’s basketball showcase held in Newark, New Jersey. Easterling said that led to work with Marriott, along with projects the companies collaborated on for Meta and Nike.

 

“The partnership allowed us to have a level of structure and foundation that let us not only get after one or two projects as a small, nimble shop, but get after multiple bodies of work that overlapped at the same time,” he said.

 

Why independence feels right now

 

After five years of building the business and establishing a roster of clients with support from 160over90, Easterling believes the agency has proven its model and can now expand more freely.

 

“Now feels like the right time because we want to begin to move faster, take more risks and define our own growth trajectory without constraints,” he said.

 

That expansion is tied closely to Obsidianworks’ focus on “New Money America.”

 

“They’re not niche,” Easterling said of this consumer group. “They are the growth engine many brands are trying to get to, but not recognizing.”

 

Easterling said the concept reflects both research and real-world observation. It includes consumers whose financial realities may not always appear in traditional income metrics—people with full-time jobs who also generate income through side businesses or entrepreneurial ventures.

 

“We’re not just talking about Black consumers or multicultural consumers—we’re talking about that entire demographic across every background and nationality,” he said. “They’re bringing about the largest transfer of wealth, and they operate differently than millennials and Gen X.”

 

According to Easterling, this audience is more entrepreneurial, digitally native and fluid in how it defines status, success and spending.

 

Beyond the ‘multicultural’ label

 

That perspective also shapes how Obsidianworks positions itself within the agency landscape.

 

Easterling acknowledged that when the agency launched, many conversations around it centered on multicultural marketing and inclusive work. But he said the agency never deliberately positioned itself as a multicultural shop. At that time, he argued, many multicultural agencies were still using “outdated” approaches to reach diverse audiences.

 

Obsidianworks, he said, aims to sit between those two worlds.

 

“Yes, any call we go on, people know we’re multicultural—we have that authority,” Easterling said. However, he said, that label alone shouldn’t define the business. “We were never here to be diversity consultants.”

 

Instead, Easterling often frames the company more broadly as an agency or enterprise built to help brands grow.

 

“Typically I say we’re an agency—or I say we’re an enterprise,” he said, sometimes joking that “we’re a construction company for brands and New Money America—we’re builders.”

 

Obsidianworks’ growth and clients

 

Some of Obsidianworks’ work already reflects that positioning. Easterling pointed to the Legacy Classic as an early example of the agency’s New Money America thesis. The event connected with HBCU communities through basketball while introducing those schools and experiences to audiences outside their traditional geographic centers.

 

“We did it in Newark, New Jersey, because it’s easy to do things where HBCUs are, in the South,” Easterling said. “We wanted to bring this to a new audience—introducing and educating a new audience about HBCUs and introducing them to that experience.”

 

The event also aimed to generate economic activity for Newark and bring national attention to the city.

 

Today, Obsidianworks’ client roster includes Nike, Converse, Jordan Brand, Meta, Target and Spanx. The agency currently employs about 20 full-time staffers and plans to add another 10 to 12 people during the first half of the year.

 

Despite a broader pullback in investment toward diverse-owned agencies, Easterling said the company has maintained strong client relationships.

 

“I’d be crazy to say there wasn’t a shift—absolutely there was,” he said. Even so, he added, “the demand for culturally relevant work that connects to consumers and to those audiences has never been higher.”

 

The role of entertainment

 

Jordan, who is up for best actor for “Sinners” at the Oscars this Sunday, remains an important part of Obsidianworks’ strategic vision, though Easterling emphasized the agency was never intended to function as a vanity project built solely around the actor’s career. Still, its connection to entertainment could become more significant as brands increasingly seek ways to participate in film, TV and other entertainment properties.

 

“Before, that wasn’t the biggest focus for us, even though we could do it,” Easterling said. “Now it’s more of a focus.”

 

Obsidianworks’ decision to go independent was not driven by the broader trend toward indie agencies finding success with clients, Easterling said, though he acknowledged the advantages the structure can provide. He also didn’t rule out future M&A opportunities or building capabilities, but said that it isn’t the agency’s main focus right now.

 

“Being independent is a strength and has benefits,” he said. “It allows us to move quickly and focus on delivering measurable impact for clients without as many layers.”

 

Clarification: This story has been updated to include the current name of WME Group.