Roughened Palm Ads

The Craftsman Sand Paper Campaign Ensures a Manly Handshake

First impressions are everything and they often start with a simple handshake; the Craftsman Sand Paper campaign encourages men to step up their game by roughing up their delicate palms in preparation.Taking a different approach to advertising handyman tools, this ad campaign shows that these products can serve additional purposes other than the obvious ones.

Conceived and created by Chicago-based ad agency Young and Rubicam, the Craftsman Sand Paper campaign urges men to "rub here to ensure a manly handshake." Doing so could help impress a girlfriend's dad and even close an important business deal. Art directed by Gabo Curielcha and copy written by Chris Jansma, the ad campaign relies on bold typography and a grainy backdrop to get the message across.

Handshake Prep
Craftsman Sand Paper campaign encouraging men to rough up their palms for a manly handshake presents opportunities for developing and marketing other products that improve physical attributes for first impressions.
Non-traditional Advertising
The success of Craftsman Sand Paper campaign demonstrates the potential for non-traditional advertising to appeal to new customers and markets in the handyman industry.
Multi-functionality Products
Craftsman Sand Paper campaign showcasing how handyman tools can serve additional purposes beyond their original design presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the industry to expand their offering.

Who This Affects Most

Advertising
The success of Craftsman Sand Paper campaign shows the potential for creative and unconventional advertising campaigns in the handyman tools industry to effectively reach new customers.
Handyman Tools
The Craftsman Sand Paper campaign raises awareness about the additional applications of handyman tools beyond their traditional use and presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to companies in the industry for expanding their offerings.
Personal Care
Craftsman Sand Paper campaign promoting rough palms as a symbol for a manly handshake presents an opportunity for personal care companies to develop and market products to specifically improve physical attributes for first impressions.
SCORE
1.1 out of 10
GENDER
90% Men10% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 20%
Activity 4%
Freshness 8%