The Television Academy this weekend announced the winners for the 2014 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, recognizing the technical side of television in honoring the outstanding "behind-the-scenes crafts essential to television production." Apple was among the winners announced during a ceremony held Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Apple, along with Park Pictures production company and TBWA\Media Arts Lab ad agency, was awarded an Outstanding Commercial Emmy for its holiday "Misunderstood" advertisement. In the commercial, a family participates in a traditional Christmas celebration while a younger member records all of the activities on his iPhone. Chided for being on the sidelines, the misunderstood teen delights his family at the end of the commercial with a heart-warming montage of the holiday celebration streamed via AirPlay to the living room television.


The award was shared with Apple's longtime ad agency, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, which allegedly now has a rocky relationship with the Cupertino company. Emails from Apple's head of marketing Phil Schiller hint at discord between the ad agency and Apple's executives following a scathing criticism from The Wall Street Journal. A more recent rumor suggests Apple is ready to sever its ties to TBWA/Media Arts Lab, with Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine stepping in to help spearhead the company's future marketing campaigns.

Top Rated Comments

Meandmunch Avatar
150 months ago
It's a rock solid ad because it both connects emotional with the audience and subtle demonstrates an array of iPhone capabilities.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Milese3 Avatar
150 months ago
Wow, I sort of overlooked that advert before. But now I look at it, it's very touching. Congratulations, Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GoCubsGo Avatar
150 months ago
Having Beats incharge of anything seems like a massive mistake to me. I guess so long as Beats has nothing to do with Apple's computers or iOS devices, or any softwares besides the music related ones, I'm okay, though. Apple doesn't really need me to like their ads, since I'll buy their products anyways (so long as they remain the best).

Well, I guess if you're going to miss the point of the article then this is the best way to do it. This ad came before the Beats deal; it is unclear if you knew that.

As for the ad, it is probably the first Apple ad in a long time that I actually cared to pay attention to. It was "hallmarky" as someone mentioned, but it was done well...even better than when it was done on Community. ;)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
psac Avatar
150 months ago
It's a rock solid ad because it both connects emotional with the audience and subtle demonstrates an array of iPhone capabilities.

Spot on. The best ads make a connection AND highlight the product. This does both in an amazing way. Loved it when it was on air.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnysods Avatar
150 months ago
Wow, never saw that before, just watched it and got tears in my eyes. Love family moments like these. Life is very precious!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citi Avatar
150 months ago
New Apple with Beats will need new ad agency.
Less class, more 'hood and affluent gangsta raw, like Mr Drek. :apple:

ugh. So tired of this...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...