Soccer Dad Ads

The Ford S-max Campaign Tells Men "Don't Be the Minivan Guy"

The Ford S-Max campaign makes an important appeal to men from all walks of life: "Don't be the minivan guy." It hilarious depicts exactly what this type of guy would be. A straight-laced soccer dad, he is that forgettable man who drops their kids off at school and is always at work on time.

Conceived and executed by BBR Saatchi & Saatchi, an ad agency based in Israel, the Ford S-Max campaign was art directed by Kamil Mekhti with creative direction by Eran Nir. Although it markets a minivan, which would seem to go against the message the car company is trying to send, the Ford S-Max campaign effectively shows that this one is much different from others. Specifically, it's sporty.

Anti-minivan Movement
Opportunity for car companies to create campaigns that challenge the stereotype of minivans as uncool and appeal to a wider range of consumers.
Humorous Advertisements
Growth in the use of comedic storytelling in advertising campaigns to engage and entertain audiences while delivering a brand message.
Unique Features Highlighting
Trend of emphasizing distinct features in advertising campaigns to differentiate products in highly competitive markets.

Sectors Adopting This

Automotive
Automobile manufacturers can capitalize on the anti-minivan movement by designing and marketing sporty minivans that appeal to style-conscious consumers.
Advertising
Advertising agencies and brands can explore the use of humor as a strategy to create memorable and effective campaigns that resonate with consumers.
Creative Services
Opportunity for creative agencies to help brands highlight unique features of their products through engaging and impactful advertising campaigns.
SCORE
3.5 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 37%
Activity 59%
Freshness 8%