Commercials

Implications - Taking a more genuine stance on marketing to men, brands are winning back the trust and loyalty of male viewers by acknowledging their humanity, rather than enforcing the overplayed macho stereotype. Particularly when taking into account new fathers and all of the complexities this new stage in life entails, male-targeted marketing is starting to take on a much more personable approach, demonstrating empathy and understanding that resonates with the modern male demographic. [More]

Implications - Through the democratization of information in the digital age, consumers are less inclined to be oversimplified and categorized by traditional demographics. With the rise of individualism and demand for representation, there’s an increasing need for marketers to avoid boxing consumers into demographic segmentations based on limiting factors like age, gender, economic status, sexuality or race. Though this psychographic approach has been employed internally for some time, it is only now being integrated explicitly into branding and product. [More]

Implications - Beginning to encounter the unique challenges and uncertainties that come along with entering parenthood, many Millennials are finding solace in sentimental narratives of family. Particularly as today’s model of the modern family sees dramatic shifts away from norms of the past, brands look to pull on the heartstrings of young parents through emotional stories of family tradition. [More]

Implications - Since 'Beats By Dre' became popularized a few years back, it seems that audio brands have become highly focused on stylizing their products. To do so, many have employed huge celebrities to be the face of their advertisements in hopes of enticing buyers who're are influenced by their actions. In addition, musicians like Will.i.am are creating their own products and promoting them by leveraging their industry expertise. This illustrates that, along with other tech accessories, buying headphones has become as much about status as it has about the quality of sound for many consumers. [More]

Implications - Unlike their Millennial predecessors, members of Generation Z are not consciously accumulating brands, services and products to inform a personal brand. Instead, they prefer a more lighthearted, less self-conscious form of brand communication. This calls for abstract advertising that does not take itself too seriously, illustrating a key difference between these youth groups. [More]

Implications - As a greater emphasis is placed on health and organic ingredients, food retailers are seeking out more distinctive ways to showcase their commitment to the cause. Adding elements of humor, satire and animation, brands are speaking to their use of organic ingredients and natural practices in a way that is more approachable to younger demographics. Such tactics help transform informative content into lighthearted messages that are not only more digestible, but also more memorable in nature. This speaks to a shift toward messaging that is not only transparent, but that also appeals to specific demographics like Millennials or Gen Z who appreciate more playful brand engagements. [More]

Implications - Seeking to create a more sincere connection with viewers, marketers are turning to creative backstories and storytelling techniques to give typically unapproachable public figures like athletes a more approachable edge. Highlighting the grueling training that athletes endure to the inspiration and motivation behind each Olympian, these ads showcase a side of sports that viewers don’t normally see. Such marketing tactics showcase a move away from flashy, over-the-top campaigns toward more emotional and sentimentally-driven content. [More]

Implications - Given the context of traditional media that sees the Hispanic population underrepresented, many brands are launching conscious efforts that aim to form connections through powerful cultural narratives. Borrowing from themes central to the telenovela, such campaigns aim to resonate with consumers on an authentic level related to cultural preservation, in addition to the power of the medium as a means of establishing an emotional bond between consumer and brand. [More]

Implications - As brands become more conscious about the depictions of family they project in marketing content, many are opting to illuminate everyday family life outside the archetype of the traditional "nuclear family." Part of the "new normal" demographic push that sees the inclusion of multigenerational, non-binary families in advertisements, so too are brands hoping to more accurately represent the general population in the interest connecting with this large and growing consumer group. [More]

Implications - As brands become more conscious of what academics call the "Latino media gap," many are emerging with bilingual campaigns that provide a more accurate representation of the multicultural makeup of the American population. Given that bicultural Americans are often living between the world of their roots and their modern home, such Spanish-speaking campaigns that illuminate the experience of the US bicultural space serve to provide the population with accessible and honest representation. [More]