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# Five-Second Online Forum Ads
Reddit's Five-Second Super Bowl Ad Was Short but Impactful

By Ell Smith | Published 2021-02-08 | Marketing
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reddits-fivesecond
References: [adweek](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/why-reddit-spent-its-entire-marketing-budget-on-a-5-second-super-bowl-ad/)

[Reddit's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reddit-car-share) five-second super bowl ad was short but impactful, featuring only one screenshot with 11 sentences. The [Super Bowl](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lays-super-bowl-ad) presents a unique opportunity for brands to showcase their best creative talent, but the price of doing so is incredibly high. While money is not an issue for some of the major companies, others, like Reddit, claim they can't afford to run a traditional 30 second to one-minute ad.

Instead, the [online forum](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/replyhub) spent its entire marketing budget on this five-second spot, which viewers would have to pause to read in its entirety. The clever ad referenced the website's viral GameStop moment, and played into the idea of being an underdog, taking big risks and online community.

Image Credit: Reddit

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 1.0/10
- Popularity: 4% | Activity: 16% | Freshness: 9%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/commercials)

## Key Themes

### What's Driving This Trend

- **Short-form Ads:** Short-form ads are gaining traction as a cost-effective way for smaller brands to advertise during high-profile events like the Super Bowl.
- **Creative Constraints:** Creative constraints, such as a five-second limit, can spur innovative and impactful advertisements that capture viewers' attention.
- **Referencing Viral Moments:** Referencing viral cultural moments in advertisements can help create a connection with viewers and tap into current cultural trends.

### Who This Affects Most

- **Advertising:** Short-form ads pose a disruptive innovation opportunity for advertising agencies and brands looking for more cost-effective ways to reach audiences during high-profile events.
- **Media Streaming:** Media streaming services can utilize short-form ads as a way to advertise their platforms to viewers in between content.
- **Social Media:** Social media platforms can take advantage of the trend of referencing viral moments in advertising by creating campaigns that tap into their users' cultural interests and shared experiences.

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