http://beloved-brands.com/2012/12/06/consumer-insight/What is an Insight?
Insight is not something that consumers ever knew before. That would be knowledge not insight. It’s not data or fact about your brand that you want to tell. Oddly enough, Insight is something that everyone already knows. Insight comes to life when it’s told in such a captivating way that makes consumers stop and say “hmm, I thought I was the only who felt like that”. That’s why we laugh when see the way that insight is projected with humor, why we get goose bumps when insight is projected with inspiration and why we cry when the insight comes alive through real-life drama.
Dove “Real Beauty”
We know that the women we see up on the runway are size 2, 103 pounds and likely 17. We know the movie stars have had plastic surgery. We know that print ads, even with the most beautiful women, have been photo-shopped. There are real problems in our current society with anorexia anxiety and depression about appearance. Dove’s insight of “Women in all shapes, sizes, look are still beautiful. Let’s stop idolizing the fake and start living in the real world. Let’s be happy with what we look like”. Women connected with this insight because they already felt that way, but were just glad someone was finally saying it.
Benylin “Take a Benylin Day”
Can you ever imagine a cough medicine telling their consumers to take a day off? This one is one of mine, so I know it well. Let me share the science of cough medicine. A cold lasts 7 days WITHOUT cough medicine. And a cold lasts 7 days WITH a cough medicine. The big drug companies fear you’ll ever find that out. But in reality, the real role of the cough medicine is not to cure you but to comfort you. The insight here is that “having a cold really sucks, trying to fight through it and get to work really sucks, I know in the back of my mind I should call in sick and get better”. Benylin captured consumers who already knew this insight and were happy that someone was giving them permission to take a day off and rest.
Ikea “It’s just a lamp”
It’s a gutsy move by Ikea to admit that their furniture is disposable. But in reality, Ikea has loyal fans that keep coming back to the store. This Lamp ad captures consumers who connect to the insight about “whey hang onto this old lamp, it’s crazy, just get this year’s better model”.
Stella Artois “Home from the War”
Stella is a premium beer, not for all occasions. It’s worth savouring, not wasting on the every day moments. Here is a son returning from war, his dad is so relieved to see him and the obvious moment is to give him a Stella to celebrate his return. But, the dad views Stella was such a high regard that he still won’t “waste” the Stella on the man who saved his son.
Nike “Find Your Greatness”
There is a fat kid in all of us. This ad was aired during the Olympics when the best of the best are celebrated and those who come 4th are chastised. Working out is good for all of us, no matter what your own personal goals are. We don’t have to push to win a gold medal to be motivated to get out there and run.
If you are in the mood to see other great advertising, here’s a few other stories:
- 5 Ads that Will Make You Burst Out Laughing
- 5 Ads that will give you Goosebumps
- New TV ad from Samsung: Is it “smart” to Take on Apple?
- Nike’s “Find Your Greatness” Campaign is stealing the Olympics
- Confession: I killed two doctors in 2006
- 5 Best Sports Ads of 2012
- Some of the Best Christmas Ads I’ve Seen
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