The Best Martin Scorsese TV Ads, Ranked
When you think of Martin Scorsese, you probably think of pulse-pounding moments from "Taxi Driver” or the rush of "The Wolf of Wall Street.” What about brand story and target demographics? Or American Express and iPhones? Not so much.
But Martin Scorsese has an advertising portfolio most agencies would drool over. Throughout the last few decades, the director has worked behind the camera on a number of campaigns for American Express, Apple, CHANEL and more—appearing in front of the camera from time to time, too.
We’ve rounded up six examples from Scorsese’s portfolio and ranked them by how entertaining and effective they feel in the 2020s.
No. 6
“My Life. My Card.” American Express
Honestly, this spot is a bit of a downer. It’s heavy. Especially for a product that should elicit feelings of joy, excitement and freedom. We get what the iconic duo Scorsese and Robert De Niro are going for—part love letter to diverse NYC, part homage to the gritty films they made in the 1970s and ’80s. Plus, there’s the major tie in with the Tribeca Film Festival. It’s all a little too—excuse the pun—rich for a credit card ad.
We’ll take the Wes Anderson version of this campaign.
No. 5
Bleu de CHANEL
Oh, look: Scorsese used a song from The Rolling Stones. What a novel idea. He should try that in his movies.
This ad was EVERYWHERE for, like, five solid years, but not the long version; the cut down version. The clip that featured the actor for this Bleu de CHANEL ad saying, “I’m not going to be the person I’m expected to be anymore.” Everyone was saying that line back in 2010. Employees quitting their jobs. People breaking up with their partners.
No. 4
Apple iPhone 4S with Siri
Remember iPhones before Siri? This spot from 2012 features Scorsese in the back of an NYC taxi, plotting out his day with the help of the phone’s new feature, Siri. The ad doesn’t play as well today—it feels frantic and overwhelming; maybe everything that’s uncomfortable about intrusive technology in 2023. But, at the time, seeing one of history’s greatest film directors directing his iPhone with voice recognition was an extremely exciting moment.
No. 3
Giorgio Armani’s Emporio Armani
This artifact from the mid-1980s was a commercial for Giorgio Armani’s Emporio Armani clothing line. As you can see, it features a woman teaching a man Italian by pointing out features of her face. Very sensual. It also featured the work of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Nestor Almenros.
No. 2
American Express Members Project
Yes. Everything about this. Scorsese has one-hell-of-a-sense of humor (“Whad’ya want from me?”) and it shines in this spot, while also pointing a finger at inauthentic celebrity-driven charity campaigns. By turning the mirror on himself and poking fun at his process, we find humor in the authentic. It’s fantastic and a relevant lesson in how to craft entertaining advertising that connects with audiences.
No. 1
“Street of Dreams” for Dolce & Gabbana
Beautiful movie stars. Flirty dialogue. Romantic music. Cinematic direction. What more could you want from this ode to both classic Hollywood and French cinema, featuring Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johansson. The product? Dolce & Gabbana Fragrance.
Fragrance is about conjuring up a memory, and this ad nails that tone perfectly.