EPISODE · May 19, 2026 · 13 MIN
David Yankelewitz - Founder and Creative Director - Public Display of Affection (PDA)
from The Ad Podcast · host Dylan Conroy
David Yankelewitz is a prominent figure in the advertising and creative world, currently serving as the Founder and Creative Director of Public Display of Affection (PDA), a creative studio based in Brooklyn, New York. His career is defined by high-impact, viral marketing campaigns that often blend pop culture with innovative brand experiences.Public Display of Affection (2021–Present): Founded this studio with the philosophy that "the more love you give, the more you receive," focusing on brand activations, apps, and art. R/GA (2020–2021): As Executive Creative Director, he led the Verizon account, notably building a 5G Super Bowl stadium in Fortnite and producing a weekly livestream series featuring stars like Billie Eilish and Alicia Keys. Ogilvy & Mather (2015–2017): Served as Group Creative Director, where he built the agency's Content Group and led projects for brands like IBM, Coke Zero, and NASCAR. 360i (2011–2015): Spent four years as Group Creative Director, winning the agency’s first Cannes Lions for work with brands such as Oreo, Oscar Mayer, and Ben & Jerry’s. Yankelewitz is well-known for "internet-breaking" campaigns, including:#MAMMING: A viral photo-sharing campaign to raise breast cancer awareness. Say It With Bacon: A luxury gift service for Oscar Mayer that packaged bacon like fine jewelry. Oreo "Nomsters": A series of bite-sized horror films for Halloween that reimagined cookies as candy-hybrid monsters. He began his career as a business reporter for The Jerusalem Post and an editor for the University of Pennsylvania’s humor magazine, 34th Street. His creative approach often involves "The 5 Love Languages" framework, where he advocates for brands to move beyond "Words of Affirmation" (traditional ads) toward "Physical Touch" and "Acts of Service" (meaningful brand actions).
What this episode covers
David Yankelewitz is a prominent figure in the advertising and creative world, currently serving as the Founder and Creative Director of Public Display of Affection (PDA), a creative studio based in Brooklyn, New York. His career is defined by high-impact, viral marketing campaigns that often blend pop culture with innovative brand experiences.Public Display of Affection (2021–Present): Founded this studio with the philosophy that "the more love you give, the more you receive," focusing on brand activations, apps, and art. R/GA (2020–2021): As Executive Creative Director, he led the Verizon account, notably building a 5G Super Bowl stadium in Fortnite and producing a weekly livestream series featuring stars like Billie Eilish and Alicia Keys. Ogilvy & Mather (2015–2017): Served as Group Creative Director, where he built the agency's Content Group and led projects for brands like IBM, Coke Zero, and NASCAR. 360i (2011–2015): Spent four years as Group Creative Director, winning the agency’s first Cannes Lions for work with brands such as Oreo, Oscar Mayer, and Ben & Jerry’s. Yankelewitz is well-known for "internet-breaking" campaigns, including:#MAMMING: A viral photo-sharing campaign to raise breast cancer awareness. Say It With Bacon: A luxury gift service for Oscar Mayer that packaged bacon like fine jewelry. Oreo "Nomsters": A series of bite-sized horror films for Halloween that reimagined cookies as candy-hybrid monsters. He began his career as a business reporter for The Jerusalem Post and an editor for the University of Pennsylvania’s humor magazine, 34th Street. His creative approach often involves "The 5 Love Languages" framework, where he advocates for brands to move beyond "Words of Affirmation" (traditional ads) toward "Physical Touch" and "Acts of Service" (meaningful brand actions).
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David Yankelewitz - Founder and Creative Director - Public Display of Affection (PDA)
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