The One Show

The One Show is the world's most prestigious award show in advertising and design. For over 50 years, the Gold Pencil has been regarded as one of the top prizes in the creative industry. The One Show has a rich legacy of honoring some of the most groundbreaking ideas, created by some of the most remarkable minds in creativity.

2026 One Show - Film & Video

Bad Idea

Agency Wieden+Kennedy / Portland + YETI / Austin, TX + Cartel / Los Angeles + Love Song

Client YETI

Category

TV, VOD, & Online / 31-60 Seconds - Single

Annual ID

OS26_FI049M

Background

The brief was to create a compelling holiday spot to break through the clutter of the season. The campaign embraces YETI’s core truth: it’s not just gear, it’s a gateway. A catalyst. And commitment to whatever comes with it. And YETI clearly has no problem beating up their own product in the process. Because they know it’s built to take it. From the mud to the rodeo to the back of a bush plane, these products are made for the ones who go too far—and the loved ones who enable them.

Creative Idea

Directed by Daniel Wolfe and Jess Kohl of Love Song, the hero film opens with a YETI Tundra Cooler flying off the back of a truck and tumbling through the mud. This kicks off a kaleidoscopic fever dream of worst-case scenarios in the mind’s eye of the female lead. As she imagines what could unfold, bites to burns to rashes, to wet dogs to never ending slideshows, the witty voice over rattles off reason after reason why giving a YETI is a terrible idea.But the truth is, every “disaster” looks kind of amazing. And as the adrenaline builds, so does her resolve. By the end, she commits: this might be the worst idea she’s ever had… but it’s also the best. She’s getting the YETI.

Insights & Strategy

There is a connective tissue that everyone who’s all-in to whatever they’re all-into shares. It can also be seen across every aspect of the YETI brand. We call it irrational commitment. “Don’t Get Them a YETI” flips the holiday script. It’s not just about gift guides and wrapping paper. It’s about understanding what you’re really giving someone when you give them a YETI: permission to go all-in on what they love. To chase obsession into the wild. To bear the hard stuff in favor of an awesome adventure.

Execution

The script flips the typical holiday script and especially stands out during the season. Where most ads at that time of year leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, this leaves you with a warning. But after the barrage of visceral images the viewer is left with the final sentiment of “don’t get them a YETI…. Unless you really love them.” It’s about understanding what you’re really giving someone when you give them a YETI: permission to go all-in on what they love. To chase obsession into the wild. To bear the hard stuff in favor of an awesome adventure.

2026 Awards

Total Points: 3

Merit

Credits

Agency

Wieden+Kennedy / Portland

Client / Brand

YETI / Austin, TX

Production Company

Love Song

Post Production Company

Cartel / Los Angeles

Chief Creative Officer

Felipe Ribeiro

Chief Strategy Officer

Andy Lindblade

Creative Director

Dan Pritikin
Matt Drenik

Design Director

Karen Koch
Katie McHugh

Designer

Macy Eiesland

Editor

Dan Sherwen

Executive Creative Director

Carlos Rangel
Derek Szynal
Pierre Jouffray

Producer

Alina Inés Fox

Sound Designer

Morgan Johnson

Brand Strategy Director

Anthony Holton

DP

Norm Li

Group Executive Producer

Robert Saxon

Head of Design

Bijan Berahimi

Senior Producer

Byron T. Oshiro

Sr. Art Director

Brad Trost

Sr. Copywriter

Alex Maleski

Artist/Writer

Charles Humenry
Jon Darling

Associate Editor

Ramon de Souza

Associate Media Planner

Oksana Ruiz

Audio Mixer

Noah Woodburn

Brand Director

Tobin Kittoe

Brand Manager

Kj Patterson

Business Affairs Manager

Joe Chaath

CEO

Matt Reintjes

CO Director

Daniel Wolfe
Jess Kohl

Co-Head of Design Ops + Production

Alicia Kuna

Color Assist

Ali Soofi

Color Head of Production

Angela Zappella

Color Producer

Geoff Linville

Colorist

Daniel De Vue

Creative Operations Director

Lauren Walker

Creative Operations Manager

Andrea Moulas

Creative Partner + Flame Lead

Claus Hansen

Director of Media Investment

Patrick Mauro

Director, Marketing Operations & Finance

Kelley DeNeen

Executive Director

Ann Haugen

Flame Assist

Patick Hoffacker

Group Media Director

Kristen Mcnamee

Head of Business Affairs

Edith Ortiz

Head of Comms

Jason Strickland

Head of Marketing

Bill Neff

Head of Production

Orlee Tatarka
Paige Kauffman

Lauren Bleiweiss

Lauren Bleiweiss

Line Producer

Jenni Haberstock

Managing Partner

Kelly Bayett

Media Director

Emily Graham

Media Director, Audience Insights

Joseph Zisa

Media Investment Manager

Rosie Given

Media Supervisor

Alex Barnes
Erica Campbell

President

Jason White

Senior Copy Editor

James Yu

Senior Post Producer

Cassandra Guardado

Sr. Director, Brand Strategy

Austin McKenna

Sr. Director, Communications

Joanna Cochran

Sr. Director, Community Event Marketing

Joe Koehly

Sr. Director, Content Production

Taylor Johns

Sr. Manager, Brand

Erika Derylo

Sr. Media Manager

Nicole Whitehead

VFX Producer

Ricky Lam

VFX Supervisor

Marc Lougee

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