After weeks of stress and controversy, many of the latest marketing campaigns are focusing on lighter and more positive topics to give their audiences a mental break. Check out some of the most creative marketing and advertising stories of the week in our Weekly Must Reads.

A Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan

If your holidays often end in burned turkey and calls for carryout, Whole Foods & Progressive Insurance are looking out for you this season. Last week, the two brands rolled out their new “Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan” to provide insurance for your classic Thanksgiving dinner. To qualify for coverage, you simply need to purchase a Whole Foods turkey before November 22. If you eventually find yourself with a ruined turkey during the holidays, you can actually submit a claim and earn a $35 Whole Foods gift card in return.

According to a Whole Foods executive, the pandemic is expected to inspire smaller Thanksgiving gatherings, resulting in many first-time cooks taking on turkey duties. With their protection plan, consumers can feel comfortable testing out their cooking skills knowing that they’re covered in case of a kitchen disaster. Do you think novice cooks will take Whole Foods and Progressive up on their offer? Find out details here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2020/11/10/thanksgiving-turkey-whole-foods-progressive-insurance-protection-plan/6239911002/

Peloton’s New Partnership

Last year, Peloton was stuck in the middle of controversy throughout the holiday season, thanks to their poorly-received Christmas commercial. This year, the brand is bouncing back through a new partnership with none other than Queen Bey herself – Beyoncé. This multi-year collaboration will focus on a celebration of music and Homecoming, the annual fall celebration for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Beyoncé and Peloton worked together to create a variety of Homecoming-themed workouts in order to help students continue their celebrations virtually.

The new workouts include courses in cycling, strength, yoga, meditation and more. In addition, Peloton and Beyoncé are giving out two-year Peloton memberships to students at ten different HBCUs. Peloton also announced plans to institute internship and employment partnerships at the schools to build a long-term recruiting partnership. Learn more about the collaboration here: https://variety.com/2020/music/news/beyonce-peloton-for-multi-year-partnership-benefitting-hbcus-1234826955/

Working from Home: “The Office” Edition

Fans of “The Office,” get ready to immerse yourself in Phyllis’ quarantine world. In a new three-part “documentary,” Joann Fabrics follows actress Phyllis Smith as she balances working from home with crafting. In the first episode, we see Phyllis set up a cardboard cutout of herself in front of her computer, so she can continue with her holiday crafts during Zoom meetings. It’s a clever and relatable series that brings some humor to our stress-out world.

Joann Fabrics’ series follows a recent trend of bringing sitcom characters into the real world. Earlier this year, Brian Baumgartner (also of “The Office”) teamed up with Bush’s Baked Beans to publish Kevin’s chili recipe. The cast of “Parks and Rec” also reunited on a Zoom call to show fans how their characters were handling quarantine. Check out the first installment of “Working from Home with Phyllis” here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/joann-crafts-at-home-with-phyllis-from-the-office-in-holiday-campaign/588626/

The (Super Bowl) Show Must Go On

The Super Bowl may operate a little differently this year thanks the pandemic, but the halftime show must go on. Last week, The Weeknd announced they had agreed to headline the show in Tampa in February. Currently, the NFL plans to allow about 20 percent capacity at the game in Raymond James Stadium. However, restrictions may change as COVID-19 cases continue to worsen across the country. The NFL has not yet announced how it will adjust the halftime show, which usually features hundreds of fans and intricate set designs.

In recent years, the NFL has made attempts to appeal to a wider audience by partnering with more diverse artists. The Weeknd has been a vocal advocate for former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, as well as wider racial justice initiatives. His performance will likely mark a significant step forward for the league. Check out the full story on the halftime show here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/12/sports/football/weeknd-halftime-show-super-bowl.html