When it comes to advertising, there are plenty of different ways to advertise products online, including display advertising, broadcast advertising, print advertising, and much more.
In this article, we’ll look at the most popular product advertising examples that marketers use to promote their products or services online.
Let's get started!
What is advertising, and how is it used?
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some kind of action, usually buying a product or service.
Advertisers typically use a combination of creative content, such as text, visuals, audio, and video, to create a compelling message that gets their audience's attention.
1. The British have always driven on the wrong side of the road
This is a classic example of print advertising that relies heavily on visuals to deliver its message.
The creative ad features a picture of a British man in an old-fashioned car driving on the wrong side of the road.
The text reads, ‘The British have always driven on the wrong side of the road.'
This ad cleverly plays on the stereotype that British people drive on the wrong side of the road and is a great example of how visuals and text can be used together to create an effective message.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Funny. The ad stands out because it uses a funny yet effective visual to draw attention to its message. Additionally, the text is simple and concise, making it easy to understand and remember.
- It shows that the company really cares about quality. The ad shows a car driving outside of the road. In this case, they wanted to emphasize that their product is high-quality and reliable.
- It's memorable. The ad features an unmistakable visual that creates a lasting impression with a simple yet clear headline that is easy to remember.
2. Advil what a bad elbow?
This ad for Advil is a great example of how humor can be used to effectively advertise a product.
The campaign features vibrant visuals of an old woman lifting her body with her hands to show strength and resilience. The ad reads, ‘Advil, what a bad elbow?'
This is a great example of how advertisers can use humor to create an effective message and engage readers by showing that even the most active person can suffer from occasional elbow discomfort.
Advil seeks to suggest that its products can provide relief in any circumstance. The aim is to make Advil appear essential for those who lead active lives and need reliable short-term pain relief.
At the same time, the advertisement appeal to people by using modern photography and invoking positive messages of confidence. All these are cognitive emotional tactics used to draw readers in and engage them with the ad.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Strength. An elderly lifting her body with two hands is a powerful image. It conveys a sense of strength and resilience. This is a very strong visual that works well in this context.
- Assurance. This ad shows confidence in delivering a high-quality product. In fact, the company wants to assure consumers that its products will relieve their pain.
- Humor. Humor is often used to lighten up the mood and make ads more appealing to audiences.
3. Apple think different
This iconic poster from 1997 showcases the memorable slogan Think Different.
The script was inspired by the values of Steve Jobs, who wanted to encourage Apple users to think differently and be creative.
The aim of the ad was to present Apple as an innovative company that could help break down barriers in technology and education.
The ad featured black-and-white portraits of well-known figures, such as Albert Einstein, to emphasize that Apple encouraged creative thinking.
The poster was successful in connecting with people on a personal level by inspiring them to challenge the status quo and follow their dreams.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Move forward. The popular apple ad encourages people to see the world through new eyes. In fact, the ad presents Apple as a company that encourages creativity and innovation.
- Be yourself. The ad promotes individuality and self-expression. People were able to identify with the characters because they all had unique personalities.
- LGBT-friendly brand. Apple has been at the forefront of gay rights issues since it began selling computers. In fact, there have been instances where the brand removed apps from its app store due to its support of gay rights.
4. Boden roll up roll up
Some common animated ad campaigns from popular brands such as Apple or Nike usually appear in the form of a GIF, which can be used to capture user attention and direct them to the landing page.
They are simple but effective ways to communicate your message in a creative and fun manner.
In this example, Boden uses the GIF to show their products in action and encourages viewers to ‘roll up, roll up and explore their collection.
Note how they use scarcity tactics by including a time limit to create urgency and boost conversions.
Part of this campaign's success is due to the interactive nature of the ad and its ability to capture attention by providing three key elements that people love, free delivery, free returns, and discounts.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Scarcity. These tactics work well since they leverage impulse buyer psychology. In fact, impulse buyer is a term used to describe someone who buys something without much thought.
- Interactivity. The ad provides multiple opportunities for users to interact with the content. For instance, the entire ad shows colorful graphics and animations that allow users to scroll through the images.
5. Budweiser yours to take
Sponsored hashtags on Twitter are nothing new, but when used in an engaging and native way, they can help improve your advertising.
In this example, the beer giant Budweiser used the hashtag ‘yourstotake' to generate buzz around their new product.
The hashtag was used in conjunction with several other native elements, including visuals, copy, and emojis to add personality to the campaign.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Football. Who hasn't had a beer while watching a football match, especially if you're a fan of one team over another? This ad capitalizes on the popularity of sports and creates a sense of community among fans.
- Partnership. Being an official FIFA partner makes this ad even more authentic and authoritative; they are basically telling you this is the beer you should drink while watching the world cup!
6. Dettol: A handshake can be just as bad
Dettol is a well known brand in the space of health and hygiene. To spread awareness about the importance of staying germ-free, Dettol launched an ad campaign, ‘A handshake can be just as bad,' to spread awareness.
The ad campaign emphasized that even if you wash your hands often, a simple handshake can transmit germs.
The campaign used a combination of hilarious visuals and text to convey the message.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Awareness. Sure, handshakes have existed since ancient times, but it wasn't until recently that we started to realize the dangers associated with them. So, in this ad, they want to emphasize the importance of washing hands with Dettol since their brand focuses on providing specific products for killing bacteria.
- Hilarious. Let's be honest. You wouldn't smile if you saw this advert? so even though the context is to raise awareness, they wanted to add some humor to the campaign. They did so by using funny images and writing to make the viewer laugh. Surrounding. If you pay close attention to the surrounding of the picture, you'll notice that there are many people in that room in the context of a meeting, so crowds increase the likelihood of getting more exposure to bacteria.
7. Pepsi: We wish you a scary Halloween!
What makes this ad stand out?
- Humor and creativity. The intention was obviously meant to convey the idea that being like Coke for Halloween would be ‘scary'. However, the idea itself isn't very strong.
You may not have realized at first sight that they purposefully misspelled Coke as Cola Coca on their costume so as to avoid any legal issues with the swapping of the letter Cs. - Festivities. It is not the case that they run these types of campaigns during holiday seasons, in fact, the brand knows that festivities bring happiness around people's homes, hence they leverage positive emotions which most likely will lead people to buy their product.
8. Patagonia
Patagonia is a brand that has been around for decades and has always focused on creating outdoor clothing that is durable and functional.
In order to promote its new line of jackets, Patagonia created a series of ads featuring a man who goes through various adventures.
In each ad, he encounters different situations where he needs to use his jacket. He uses it to protect himself from the cold or to keep him warm when he is sleeping. Each time, he gets closer to the end of the adventure and finally uses it to help him get home safely.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Creativity. This ad is creative because it shows how versatile the jacket is. It doesn't matter what kind of weather you're going through; the jacket will do its job. It also emphasizes the durability of the material used in making the jacket.
- Sustainability. Patagonia is known for its commitment to sustainability. is ad also emphasizes that Patagonia cares for the environment and advocates for clean energy. It portrays the company as one that is responsible and conscious of the impact it has on the environment.
- Authenticity. The ad also conveys authenticity by showcasing the real-life experiences of those who have used Patagonia's products. The message here is that the company stands by its products and vouches for their quality and reliability.
9. Barner
Barner is a company that makes blue light glasses to prevent eye strain while working on computers.
Their ad emphasizes the lifestyle that comes along with using digital devices and that it can affect your eyesight.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Lifestyle. The ad focuses on the importance of wearing blue light-blocking glasses since it is proven that eye strain leads to headaches, so the ad tries to emphasize the benefits of having such eyewear.
- Design. The ad features a simple yet effective design that makes the viewer want to learn more about the product.
- Branding. The ad highlights the brand's name and logo. It also conveys the message that the company is committed to providing consumers with high-quality products.
10. Chubbies
Chubbies is a company that sells shorts for men. They are known for their slogan, ‘You Shall Not Pants.' This ad promotes the slogan by showing a man getting ready for vacation.
The ad's intent makes you feel transported to a world of endless beach parties, sunbathing, and fun.
Tip: Chubbies' product descriptions are also intereseting! Check out our other article here to learn more about them.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Catchy. The ad is catchy because it tells a story in just two words. You don't need any other information to understand the meaning behind the ad.
- Authentic. The ad captures the essence of what Chubbies is all about. It showcases the company's values and beliefs.
- Humor. The ad is humorous because it pokes fun at the idea of being too lazy to wear pants.
11. Ed's Heinz Ad
In this ad, you will see an amazing example of a great copywriting technique called ‘ed’s Heinz.' The ad starts with the famous British singer entering a luxury restaurant to have a meal.
The waiter brought up the food, and then Ed Sheeran took out from his bag a bottle of Heinz ketchup to add extra flavor to his food. This is a very interesting way of starting a copywriting campaign.
What makes this ad stand out?
- Humor. It gives the audience a sense of curiosity and hilariousness. In fact, the ad shows a lot of funny faces, which can make the viewers even more engaged
- Creative. The ad is creative because it uses a unique concept to attract customers, which is even though you are in a posh restaurant, you still get to enjoy the taste of Heinz ketchup.
- Originality. The ad is original because it does not follow the usual format of an advertisement.
Why is advertising so important?
Advertising is important because it helps businesses to promote their products and services. By creating ads relevant to their target audience, businesses can increase their conversion rates and better achieve their marketing goals.
Paid search, email marketing, and organic social media are all effective ways to advertise your business, but more importantly, knowing how your customer experience when buying your products is key to success.
The customer journey is the process that potential customers go through when they become aware of a need or want, consider their options, make a purchase, and then either continue using the product or service or move on.
Each stage of the customer journey presents an opportunity for businesses to influence the customer’s decision-making process.
By understanding how customers interact with your business at each stage, you can adjust your marketing strategy to better match their needs.
1. Customer experience
Customer experience is all about creating a great customer journey. It's about going above and beyond what is expected and ensuring that your customers feel valued.
It's important to remember that customer consideration is not about getting something in return but about making your customers feel appreciated.
There are many ways to show consideration, but some simple gestures can make a big difference.
Thanking your customers for purchasing your products, taking the time to listen to their concerns, and offering help or advice when needed are great ways to show that you care.
When you make an effort to show consideration for your customers, you create loyalty and goodwill, two essential ingredients for any successful business.
In fact, it's easy to forget how much we value our customers' opinions. We're busy running around trying to make things happen.
But consider this: If you don't give your customers consideration, they won't want to buy from you again. And if they don't like your product or service, they'll spread the word.
So, how do you show consideration? Here are some ideas:
- Thank your customers publicly. When you receive feedback, send a thank you letter.
- Respond quickly. Your customers want to know that you care about them. They want to hear back within 24 hours.
- Offer rewards programs. Loyalty programs reward your most valuable customers with perks such as discounts, coupons, and giveaways.
2. Content creation
Creating content is another way to show consideration. Content marketing is one of the best ways to engage with your customers.
You can use content to build relationships by sharing helpful tips, news, and insights. You can also share useful articles that will educate your customers on topics related to your industry.
For example, if you sell home improvement tools, you could write a blog post explaining how to choose the right tool for the job. Or, if you sell gardening supplies, you could write a guide on how to grow vegetables indoors.
Social media is a powerful platform for showing consideration. Social media allows you to connect directly with your customers.
By interacting with your followers, you can get to know them personally. This builds trust and helps you gain more loyal customers.
If you have a Facebook page, you can ask questions, answer comments, and respond to posts.
Hence, you can start building a relationship with your audience before you even launch your business.
Your customers may be interested in hearing about new products, services, or promotions. So, you can offer these updates through your social media channels.
Summary
Before we go to the final verdict, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:
- Advertisements with some humor or creativity have the likelihood to work better than others since ad agencies know they only have a few seconds to grab users' attention.
- Some of the best advertising campaigns use native advertising, along with a time limit, to create urgency and boost conversions.
- Every type of ad is unique and requires different approaches marketers have to think outside the box to create successful campaigns.
Conclusion
The success of any online ad campaign lies in its ability to capture and engage the attention of its audience.
GIFs, video ads, and native ads are all effective ways to do this, as they create an interactive and engaging experience that is tailored to the specific interests of the audience.
Ultimately, they create a memorable ad experience that encourages customers to take action.
As a result, these are all great options for any brand looking to make an impact with its online ad campaigns.
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