# Meme Board Game Ads The 'Connect 4' Campaign Lines Up Cruel Humor By Vivian Lau | Published 2012-06-16 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connect-4-campaign1 References: [fastcocreate](http://www.fastcocreate.com/1680936/connect-4-campaign-pours-cold-water-on-the-presumptuous) & [hasbro](http://www.hasbro.com/en_CA/) Memes that once enjoyed humble attention on platforms like [Tumblr](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tumblr-campaign), 4Chan and [Reddit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lunchables-effect) have meandered their way into popular culture, and now in one form or another, into print ads (as the 'Connect 4' campaign exhibits). Using the same sort of short, punchy, one-liner humor, the ads feature the iconic Connect 4 board, with a hopeful streak of winning yellow pieces. The pieces have a succession of happily innocent objects and events written on them, for example: "A wealthy grand aunt," "A heart attack" or "Only one heir," but unfortunately are interrupted by a trolling red piece, with "Bernard Madoff," effectively shutting down the scenario. Life is full of surprises, and the Connect 4 campaign cleverly draws on popular culture to highlight the beautiful frustrations of its game. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Internet](https://www.trendhunter.com/internet) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Memes in Advertising:** Opportunity for brands to incorporate popular memes and internet humor into their campaigns. - **Short, Punchy Humor:** The use of one-liner humor to engage and capture audience attention in advertising. - **Incorporating Popular Culture:** By incorporating elements of popular culture, brands can create relatable and engaging ad campaigns. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Advertising:** The advertising industry can leverage the use of memes and comedy to create engaging campaigns. - **Board Games:** Opportunity to create innovative and humorous board game experiences that resonate with a modern audience. - **Social Media:** Social media platforms can take advantage of the popularity of memes in advertising to attract and engage users. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Adult Board Game Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ageless-innovation-hasbro.md) - [Expressive Gaming Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monopoly-campaigns.md) - [Family Board Game Promos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hasbro-and-birds-eye.md) - [Playful Gen-Z Dating Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crush-feelings.md) - [Reinvented Disc-Dropping Gameplays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/connect-4-frenzy.md) - [Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/those-games.md) - [Lazy Cereal Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-cereal.md) - [Unexpectedly-Amusing Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquid-death-misfortune-cookies.md) - [Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-lunchables-effect.md)