Growth Lab’s Post

𝐀 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 ☃️ The US Thanksgiving holiday is behind us, and a new holiday season is upon us. If you’re in the US or Canada, you probably know one of the telltale signs that the Christmas season has begun. 🎄 It’s the airing of the Hershey Kisses ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ TV ad. 🔔 Created in 1989, the Hershey Company has been airing the :15 second ad – with only minor updates to make the animation more crisp - 𝐅𝐎𝐑 *𝟑𝟓* 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒❣️ We know from Behavioral Science that consistency and persistency of brand messaging creates well-worn pathways in people’s brains that can automatically and uniquely trigger a brand. And for those of you who have seen and heard the Hershey Kisses holiday ad, you only need to hear a few notes or see the image of the iconic Kisses bell choir on a white background, and your brain fills in the rest. 🧠 Not very many brands have the discipline and stewardship to stay consistent across years, let alone decades, but your business will likely be better off for it. Hershey Kisses are a staple of many Christmas stockings, cookies and treats. 😋 Brand builders often get tired of messaging long before our consumer’s/customer’s brains do. And in Hershey’s case, the ad has become an expected part of the TV airwaves each and every December. 📅 Consistency and Persistency wins the day! 🚀 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐝? #behavioralscience, #behaviouralscience, #besci, #behavioralfusion, #business, #advertising, #hershey

A grand theft can wait but Dunkin’ Donuts can’t. 1999, Dunkin’ Donuts dropped a bombshell of a commercial, titled “Chase”. What unfolds is nothing short of comedic gold: a wild pursuit between a supposed thief and a police cruiser, weaving through the roads in a chase sequence. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, bam! They screech to a halt outside a Dunkin’ Donuts joint. In a plot twist that would make Hollywood jealous, both the crook and the cop abandon their chase, dashing into the donut shop to take care of the only business more important than the constitution. The bagel cream cheese and coffee combo becomes the unexpected star of this high-speed showdown, leaving viewers in stitches and Dunkin’ Donuts firmly etched into their minds. But it’s not just about the laughs – Dunkin’ Donuts knows how to play the marketing game like a seasoned pro. Their strategy? Simple: make a splash, any which way they can. With cheeky sidesplitting antics, Dunkin Donuts is leaving a lasting impression. It’s no wonder they have got legions of fans hooked, reeling in everyone with their irresistible charm. Year: 1999 Brand: Dunkin Donuts #marketing #branding #advertising #storytelling

2025 Super Bowl Ads Trends Move over touchdowns - the real @Super Bowl stars are the ads. This year, expect comedy to dominate (because who needs seriousness when you’ve got wings and beer?), celebrity cameos galore, and even some gamified, shoppable moments à la QR-code madness. With a $7M price tag for 30 seconds, brands are playing to win - on screen and in the boardroom. Newcomers like @Häagen-Dazs and Ritz (Mondelēz International) are joining veteran heavyweights to make a splash, while NOLA vibes promise a Mardi Gras twist on creativity. It’s the biggest stage in marketing, and bold moves win the day. What’s your all-time favorite Super Bowl ad? 👇 #SuperBowl2025 #MarketingTrends #BrandStorytelling)

2025 Super Bowl Ads Trends Move over touchdowns - the real @Super Bowl stars are the ads. This year, expect comedy to dominate (because who needs seriousness when you’ve got wings and beer?), celebrity cameos galore, and even some gamified, shoppable moments à la QR-code madness. With a $7M price tag for 30 seconds, brands are playing to win - on screen and in the boardroom. Newcomers like @Häagen-Dazs and Ritz (Mondelēz International) are joining veteran heavyweights to make a splash, while NOLA vibes promise a Mardi Gras twist on creativity. It’s the biggest stage in marketing, and bold moves win the day. What’s your all-time favorite Super Bowl ad? 👇 #SuperBowl2025 #MarketingTrends #BrandStorytelling)

McDonald's latest campaign sure is an interesting one! They've chosen to feature John Cena, who's channeling Mr. Rogers—a surprising (yet sort of brilliant?) choice. John Cena's mix of humor, inspiration, and meme-worthy moments creates an emotional connection while still promoting deals like the "Buy One, Add One for $1" combo. By pairing the value messaging with such a massive cultural icon, McDonald's is tapping into nostalgia, internet culture, and John Cena's very, very broad appeal. Pretty cool example of how the right spokesperson can elevate an otherwise straightforward value proposition into something culturally relevant and moving. #McDonalds #Advertising #Restaurants

In 2002, Donald Trump starred in a McDonald’s ad. The goal? Associate fast food with luxury and success. The strategy? Trump’s business persona promoting the Big N’ Tasty burger as affordable quality. The result? A bold move to revitalize McDonald’s brand while competing in the premium burger segment. The lesson? Celebrity endorsements can boost visibility, credibility, and connect brands to broader audiences. Big ideas don’t just sell products—they reshape perceptions. #MarketingStrategy #CelebrityEndorsements #McDonaldsAd #BrandBuilding #InnovationInMarketing

Nostalgia is in the air 🍃 Recently, we’ve seen a number of big-name brands attempt to capture the magic of the past through nostalgia marketing. From McDonald's’s 50th birthday ad to the Cadbury UK’s 200-year anniversary campaign, there’s no shortage of examples to pull from. But what exactly is #nostalgiamarketing, and does it run any risks?  Flick through the slides below to for a preview, or take a look at the latest issue of #HowWeThink over @TrinityMcQueen to read my thoughts in full (link in comments) 👇

The biggest brands in the world don't just sell a product—they sell an emotion. Take McDonald's, for example. They aren't just selling burgers and fries; they're selling happiness. From the golden arches to the iconic Happy Meals, everything about McDonald's is designed to evoke joy, nostalgia, and a sense of community. It's the feeling of a family outing, the excitement of a kid's birthday party, or the comfort of a familiar treat. This emotional connection is what sets the most successful brands apart. It's about creating experiences and memories that resonate deeply with people, making them loyal fans and repeat customers. #BrandEmotion #MarketingMagic #MadSocialAgency #McDonaldsHappiness #EmotionalBranding

Dunkin’ CMO on building a ‘cinematic universe’ to capture attention Jill McVicar Nelson explains what the brand has learned from its Super Bowl ads and how it’s facing uneasiness around TikTok’s future. https://ift.tt/GAVk5lI

The biggest brands in the world don't just sell a product—they sell an emotion. 🌟 Take McDonald's, for example. They aren't just selling burgers and fries; they're selling happiness. Everything about McDonald's is designed to evoke joy, nostalgia, and a sense of community. It's the feeling of a family outing, the excitement of a kid's birthday party, or the comfort of a familiar treat. This emotional connection is what sets the most successful brands apart. It's about creating experiences and memories that resonate deeply with people, making them loyal fans and repeat customers. #BrandEmotion #MarketingMagic #MadSocialAgency #McDonaldsHappiness #EmotionalBranding