Every week I attempt to curate a list of clutter-breaking ads (or the occasional commentary on the business of advertising). This week, ads from Volkswagen Taos, Liquid Death and more.
Volkswagen Taos: no going back
‘Nothing else will satisfy you once you get used to the comfort of Volkswagen Taos. Such a simple idea is brought alive well in an amusing, intriguing spot. Simple story well told.
Agency: Johannes Leonardo
Liquid Death: chest blaster
As I said in a previous post, Liquid Death is selling ‘just water’ that too at a premium. Hence, getting people’s attention and keeping them engaged becomes that much more important. They can’t bore people into getting the brand into the consideration set. It’s evident from their ‘manifesto’:
We’re just a funny beverage company who hates corporate marketing as much as you do. Our evil mission is to make people laugh and get more of them to drink more water more often, all while helping to kill plastic pollution.
Their latest spot is a parody of workout videos: it is not just water but ‘the most advanced hydro-muscular workout device of the 21st century‘.
Jack in the Box: feeding time
I may not relate to Halloween related marketing from brands in the US, but I found this nearly 8-minute film to be a riveting watch.
Agency: TBWAChiatDay
Samsung: unfold the wonder
For years, Samsung has positioned itself as the only worthy competitor to iPhone in the Android world. In the past their ads have mocked iPhone on many fronts – lack of features, batter life and so on. Ironically, Samsung implemented some features which they made fun of in earlier ads. With the launch of Samsung Fold and Flip series, there seems to be a shift in strategy: creating ‘desire’ and envy to the product from a positive angle rather than an inherent negative angle of finding fault in others. A new ad in UK dramatises the effect of owning these models, positioning them as show stoppers.
WWF Italy: Panda Siamo Noi
Marilyn Manson’s Beautiful People is the soundtrack to this ad from WWF in Italy – which dramatises the various ways in which us humans destroy the planet.
Agency: Accenture Song
British Gas: timing matters
In the UK, British Gas is offering an interesting product: half-price electricity charges between 11am and 4pm on Sundays. A new spot brings the idea alive showing people timing their chores to take advantage of the offer.
As the supporter of Team GB, it’s roped in Tom Daley, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Paralympian Ellie Simmonds to take part in a different kind of 11-4 race.
Agency: The&Partnership
CityFibre: snail no more
It’s not uncommon to promise blazing speeds for a broadband plan. Comparing what’s on offer to your current option through a visually memorable mnemonic – the snail, is interesting and clutter breaking.
PhonePe: avoid hospital bill shocks
It’s a doubly tough ask to tell a story in 30-seconds, the common duration of a TV commercial. and even tougher to do the same in just 15 seconds. A new set of ads from PhonePe insurance does a great job of conveying the drawbacks of having a ‘regular’ health insurance through some exaggerated humour.
Livspace: being haunted
Not sure if ‘bad workmanship of wooden furniture comes to haunt you’ translates well into Indian languages but the idea is brought alive well in these spots for Livspace.
Agency: Tilt Brand Solutions
IndusInd Bank: feels like a battle
Quite often a literally interpretation of a common expression drives home the point well. Dealing with bank branches or their online apps can feel like a battle. And that idea is captured well in these set of spots for InusInd Bank’s Indie product.
Which one was your favourite? Do comment in.