# Aspirational Video Game Ads This Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Ad Combines Action with Celebrities By Christopher Magsambol | Published 2015-11-03 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-ops-3 References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/marshawn-lynch-and-cara-delevingne-suit-call-dutys-latest-epic-ad-167888) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejMqe1WBtEQ&feature=youtu.b) The newest ad for 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 3,' capitalizes on a production feature made famous by the video game -- action-packed graphics and celebrities. Right from the beginning, the viewer is drawn into the high-energy commercial narrated by actor Michael B. Jordan. [NFL](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tailgate-crashers) star Marshawn Lynch and model Cara Delevingne also make gun-blazing appearances. The [Rolling Stones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Audio-journalism-platforms)' 'Paint It Black' provides the soundtrack for the ad. The combination of stunning graphics, celebrity involvement and iconic rock music is a formula used in past Call of Duty ads. The advertising focus for Black Ops 3 however centers around elevating the everyday man, who is depicted in the commercial as Kevin. This ad attempts to play up the role of the everyday man by suggesting that "there's a soldier in all of us." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Action-packed Video Game Ads:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging stunning graphics, celebrity involvement, and iconic music to create immersive and engaging video game advertisements. - **Celebrity Endorsements in Gaming:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Capitalizing on the influence of celebrities to attract a broader audience and increase brand recognition in the gaming industry. - **Empowering the Everyday Man in Advertising:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Promoting inclusivity and relatability by showcasing the everyday consumer as the hero, creating a stronger connection between the audience and the advertised product or service. ### Who This Affects Most - **Video Game Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating high-energy graphics, celebrity endorsements, and immersive storytelling to revolutionize video game marketing strategies. - **Entertainment Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with video game developers to create engaging promotional content featuring celebrities and music to captivate audiences and drive brand awareness. - **Advertising Industry:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring new approaches in advertising by leveraging the power of celebrities, emotional storytelling, and relatable narratives to effectively capture consumer attention and influence purchasing decisions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cinematic Video Game Spots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/droga5s-wake-up.md) - [Pizza Brand Game Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-caesars-call-of-duty.md) - [Humorous Star-Studded Chip Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-of-the-mustaches.md) - [Work-Ditching Video Game Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ghost-your-boss.md) - [Connected Gamer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/just-another-night-out.md) - [Rapper-Inspired Playable Game Characters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-of-duty-season-5.md) - [Gamer-Inspired Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kitkat1.md) - [Motivational Athlete Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-you-got-this.md) - [Active Lifestyle-Supporting Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/become-your-player.md)