Jagger, KCHZ: Apple knows how to get your attention when they have a new iPhone. Their spots always have a cool-factor, cool songs. Nike always does a good job, and that logo still has high brand recognition value. I also like Lilly the AT&T girl.

Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: Apple is a company that was literally dead, and then all of a sudden created their own market and started loading it with products and with some really savvy marketing. They created this narrative that you need their products, not that you want their products (like they’re a luxury), but you actually need them. Tesla has also done a really nice job. I read today where they are now the most valuable auto company by 600%. 

Mike O’Donnell, WKRZ: I like the way Liberty Mutual uses “LiMu” as a comedic focal point of their campaigns. I like the Subway ad that recently ran with Tom Brady, where they make it look like a cologne or clothesline spot, and then he’s holding a sandwich. I like the effective use of celebrities and characters in the spots, they don’t all always work. I also like the Rocket Mortgage spots with Tracey Lawrence.

Valentine, WBHT: I love Apple products and its aggressiveness with satisfying a very loyal customer base. They remain extremely loyal to their base. It’s such a strong brand, consumers believe in the company. I like the Progressive Insurance campaigns with Flo. They use characters very effectively. I also like the new SiriusXM campaign with all the artists hanging by the pool. 

Mike McVay, McVay Media: Progressive Insurance impresses me with their ad campaigns. Dr. Rick guiding new home owners on how to avoid “Becoming their parents” is excellent. One of the few highly creative ad campaigns where you can remember the message. 

Matt “MJ” Johnson, WPLW: ESPN understands how to position their product to elicit true emotion thru their imaging/branding. They have consistently done this for years and years. They also evolve their imaging/branding for their own products, setting the tone amongst their competitors. 

Josh Wolff, WAEB: Apple for its consistency and innovation. 

Jeff Hurley, iHeartMedia: Starbucks does an amazing job, because their whole business model is “sell coffee” but their marketing is all about vibe and mood. They don’t sell you coffee, they sell you an elevated, in-touch lifestyle. 

Jammer, WEZB: State Farm and Geico. Both are funny and funny works.

Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: You have to acknowledge Amazon for their world domination of almost all consumer products and its delivery time. But I’d rather honor Trader Joe’s, mainly for their customer service. They offer a wide collection of branded products and rank #2 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index, due to their products and excellent response time by very serviceable employees. They hire friendly outgoing employees, train them well, and pay even beginners more than the going minimum wage in that state. So instead of the automated convenience and variety epitomized by online delivery services like Amazon, Trader Joe’s invests in the human side of grocery shopping, facilitating the kind of authentic interactions that build brand loyalty. 

Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Dollar Shave Club, “Shave time, shave money.” Simple and memorable messaging to build a strong brand that justifies its need. MasterCard, “There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else, there’s Mastercard.” Makes you think about the things that money can’t buy and builds emotion and sincerity for the consumer. ServiceNow, “Wherever the office goes, make work flow.” Clear business model, memorable branding and even more necessary with more and more people working remotely. 

Kobe, WUVR: Wendy’s is known for being savage on Twitter and they’ll take shots at other fast-food places on Twitter, and you’ll never see it on TV. By using an extension of their branding via social platforms, they’re hitting a homerun. 

Adam Rivers, WKCI: Dunkin’ is a strong brand and Wendy’s does a great job on Twitter.