# Comedic Commercial Brands employ famous comedians to create subversive campaigns. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Oct 18, 2017 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/comedic-commercial ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.4/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Comedic Commercial trend? **Comedic Commercial:** In recent years, comedians have played a huge role in the public sphere, maintaining their roles in entertainment while increasingly penetrating fields less-related to their primary roles, like politics. The increased responsibility placed in the hands of these pop cultural icons has resulted in their growing credibility from a consumer perspective, a shift that brands are seeking to take advantage of. Companies are employing the subversive ways in which comedians approach any subject, which can translate across industries and manifest in many different ways. Allowing comedians to represent companies' products serves to create more authentic, credible connections between brands and their consumers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 16, 2016 to Sep 26, 2017 - Published: Oct 18, 2017 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Comedic Commercial trend 5 featured examples from Jul 16, 2016 to Sep 26, 2017. - [Parental Sunscreen Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunscreen-ad): This Commercial Puts an Innocent Spin on the Dreaded "Talk" (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Neutrogena's successful ad campaign for its sunscreen product highlights the potential for creativity and humor in this industry, as well as the use of social media for promotion… - [Non-Branded Fast Food Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mindy-kaling-commercial): These Mindy Kaling Commercials for McDonald's Never Feature Its Name (Category: Marketing) Implication: Fast food chains can explore innovative ways to market their products without explicitly mentioning their brands. - [Eco-Conscious Comedic Cleaner Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seventh-generation-come-clean): Seventh Generation 'Come Clean' Features Maya Rudolph (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Manufacturers can develop eco-friendly cleaning products that prioritize natural ingredients and sustainable packaging, appealing to environment… - [Annual Sports Holiday Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/week-of-greatness): Foot Locker's Fourth 'Week of Greatness' Ads Featured Tracy Morgan (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Retail brands can capitalize on the holiday season by launching celebrity-endorsed campaigns that generate buzz and drive foot traffic to stores. - [Celebrity-Studded Streaming Service Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/netflix-is-a-joke): The 'Netflix is a Joke' Ad Features Four Famous Comedians (Category: Marketing) Implication: Companies within the entertainment industry can feature celebrity endorsements in their commercials, as this aligns with the industry's focus on popular culture trends. **Workshop question:** How can your brands employ the increasing credibility of pop cultural icons, and use it to authentically connect to its consumers? ## Themes within the Comedic Commercial trend ### Using comedians in marketing campaigns Brands are hiring comedians to create subversive campaigns, leveraging their credibility and authenticity, and blurring the line between entertainment and advertising. ### Celebrity-studded ads that never feature the brand name Brands are creating promotional content featuring celebrities that don't feature the brand name or logo, relying instead on strong color associations and creative, humorous content to create brand awareness in an innovative way. ### Humorous ads that address social responsibility Companies are using humor across various products and industries to address social responsibility issues like eco-friendliness or practicing safe sun exposure, adding a fun twist to otherwise serious topics. ## What the Comedic Commercial trend means for industry ### For Marketing and Advertising The use of comedians in marketing campaigns is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies looking to create more engaging and authentic brand experiences. ### For Fast-Food and Beverage The use of non-branded ads featuring celebrities in the fast-food and beverage industry can create a unique brand experience that appeals to Millennial audiences by blurring the line between entertainment and advertising. ### For Eco-Friendly Products and Household Cleaning Materials Humorous ads that address social responsibility issues like eco-friendliness or harmful chemicals in household cleaning materials is a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to create more engaging ads while raising awareness about an important issue. ## Trend signals for Comedic Commercial Trend score 1.4 out of 10, from popularity 24%, activity 9%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 24% - Activity: 9% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Ritual Assembly](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fan-building-kits) (Pop Culture) - [Occasion Coding](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/commemorative-watch-design) (Fashion) - [Muted Motion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/earth-tone-runners) (Fashion) - [Terrain Software](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/off-road-technology) (Autos) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [Oversized Dragon Plushies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giant-chillet-plush) - [Concert-Themed LEGO Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concert-themed-lego-sets) - [Blind-Box Plush Charms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blind-box-plush-charms) - [Holiday Character Clogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-character-clogs) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)