Hit or Miss: The Ads, This Week

We have entered the first week of April, almost the end of the first quarter of the year, and there you have it – the marketing campaigns that caught our attention this week! From superstar Shah Rukh Khan to sports icon Hardik Pandya, it will be interesting to see the hits and misses- ads that either left you applauding or your eyes rolling

Nothing less than a roller coaster of creativity, solid concepts, engagement, and sheer brilliance of art & concept, so time to dig in!

·       Swiggy and Naezy

Swiggy partnered with rapper Naezy for an online digital ad. In the ad, Naezy is seen rapping about New Year's dieting resolutions and how one fails due to the temptation of food, which can be easily found on the Swiggy App. It instantly went viral as most could relate to it. Hence, this one was definitely a HIT.

·       Joy Personal Care

Joy, the Indian personal care brand, unveiled a new campaign for Joy Lemon Facewash, which featured Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan alongside Sanya Malhotra.

The light romantic ad video paints a funny scenario between the two. Sanya mockingly mimics Shah Rukh’s signature open-arm gesture, explaining that she needs a brighter look. With a smile, then SRK introduces Joy Lemon Facewash as the ultimate skincare solution.

·   Snickers Peanut Brownie

Snickers has always had a history of engaging with humour-driven campaigns, but this one failed. The idea of “just anything” feels very repetitive, lacking a new, fresh angle. Compared to past ads, this ad lacks good execution, hence it is a MISS.

·       Bajaj

This time, Bajaj attempts a nostalgia-driven campaign. Though it almost fell short of a perfect nostalgic storytelling, since the execution felt predictable, and could have been better. It is a subtle MISS.

·       WinZo

The ad draws attention to the gaming spirit in India, with MS Dhoni leading the charge. WinZo successfully captures the gaming essence with high-energy visuals, a patriotic undertone and entertainment value. This is a HIT.

·       7UP and Spotify

The ideology of a deadly playlist with refreshing 7UP and Spotify looks promising, but the execution seemed like a forced union rather than an organic experience. Though it aimed to connect music with refreshment, the storytelling fell short of entertainment. This is a MISS.

·       Tinder- You up!

Tinder once again sticks to its bold, playful, and cheeky tone in engaging its target audience and staying true to its persona. The ad looks relatable, and the witty execution makes it a HIT.

·   Havmor

Two big stars, Hardik Pandya and Tamana Bhatia, a glamorous ice-cream corner, and an ok-ok music background, yet a poor story narration doesn’t offer anything new and memorable. It is a MISS.

·       Azorte

With Khushi Kapoor and Vedang Raina on the roll, the ad is undoubtedly Gen Z-centric. But it fails as the overall impact is moderate, with basic visuals and concept. It is a MISS.

·       McDonald's and Minecraft

The sweet collab of McDonald's and Minecraft was a union of pop culture and the gaming world. The ad had everything from colourful visuals, engaging content, and limited edition offers. This is a big hit.

·       Nutella

In the otherwise average ad, Ranveer Singh’s quirky charm and infectious energy make the ad fun, engaging, and ensure a high recall value. And yes, it is a hit.

·       MG Hector

MG Motor India played the April Fools' Prank campaign over three days. It started with the phrase, “Why drive past potholes when you can glide over them?” In the next post, MG stated that its ADAS feature “uses cameras and sensors to detect and can avoid them even while driving at high speeds.” And at last, it turned out to be a prank, but with an important underlying message of public safety. It partnered with PotHoleRaja and asked people to send pics of potholes to improve the road conditions in India. It was a definite hit.

Which one caught your eye the most? Do let us know, and stay connected with us on @MarketingMaverick.in!