Ask ten people, get ten different answers. So, what does make a great commercial? Glad I asked myself. Here are three things that you have to have to make a great commercial.
Number one, a great product. You can only hype up crap so much, and in the end, people will know it’s crap if it is. Point being, don’t try to drive your crappy product through a river and up a waterfall if it isn’t made for the task. Disclaimer, I don’t own a Jeep, don’t know if they suck, but I guaranty you wouldn’t want to take my wifes’ Honda in that water.
Number two, a great story. Jeep has long been branded as an off road vehicle. Again, never been in one of road, but suffice to say, if I was going to go off road, I would prefer a Jeep…or a Land Rover, but they didn’t buy a Superbowl spot. And after watching that commercial, I have no doubt that a Jeep would fail me.
Number three, a great producer. Even a great product with a great story, told badly is not so great. Talent (writing, shooting, editing) is plentiful in the world today, but a great producer will pick the best…and execute well. This commercial was short enough to keep my attention, and long enough to brand the ruggedness of their product in my mind. It wasn’t full of special effects or celebrity bravado…it showed their product, conquering the elements.
So take a great product, that has a great story and tell it well…not rocket science, but it isn’t easy. Jeep executed this commercial well and I would bet they are going to have spike in sales because of it. But it still wasn’t my favorite.
