Laura Jones, CMO of Instacart, chats about the high stakes behind crafting a Super Bowl ad, sharing her innovative approach that involved nine other brands and avoided celebrity endorsements. She discusses the shift towards humorous, escapist advertising versus purpose-driven messages and reflects on the changing dynamics of advertising in the digital age. Jones highlights the creative use of mascots and the importance of storytelling to engage viewers, all while navigating the complexities of brand identity in a competitive landscape.
Instacart's Super Bowl ad exemplified the importance of meticulous planning and cohesive storytelling to engage a diverse audience effectively.
By engaging beloved brand mascots instead of celebrities, Instacart focused on nostalgia and brand identity while avoiding politically charged narratives.
Deep dives
The Importance of Super Bowl Advertising
Super Bowl advertising is a unique event where brands can reach a large audience in a single moment, unlike the fragmented media landscape of today. As advertisers aim to create impactful, memorable content, the opportunity to create a Super Bowl ad stands out as significant, making it a coveted challenge. This year, Instacart's chief marketing officer, Laura Jones, highlighted the high stakes involved for brands as they navigate the demands of both immediate visibility and long-lasting engagement. The Super Bowl presents a rare chance to connect with viewers in a format that differs from typical targeted advertising strategies.
Instacart's Strategic Approach to Advertising
Developing a Super Bowl ad requires careful planning, beginning as early as the summer before the event, to craft a strong concept that ensures a worthwhile investment. Laura Jones discussed how Instacart's team aligned on a cohesive story to engage a broad audience effectively, viewing the ad as more than just a media buy but as a way to generate real conversation and buzz. By selecting an advantageous media placement, Instacart aimed to maximize the ad’s visibility and effectiveness, solidifying their marketing strategy around both immediate returns and ongoing brand recognition. This approach showcases the meticulous preparation and strategic thinking essential in creating a significant ad campaign.
Collaboration with Iconic Brand Mascots
Instacart's ad creatively featured various beloved brand mascots as a way to capture attention and evoke nostalgia among viewers. By including characters like the Kool-Aid Man and Pillsbury Doughboy without charging their respective brands, Instacart aimed to cultivate a playful narrative that bolstered their identity as a grocery delivery service. This forward-thinking collaboration allowed Instacart to target a wider audience while simultaneously celebrating iconic marketing figures from other brands. Jones emphasized the importance of storytelling and collaboration, which helped create a more engaging and relatable advertisement.
Staying Focused Amid Cultural Pressures
In the current advertising climate, many brands feel pressured to address social and political issues, yet Laura Jones advocated for a more focused approach that centers on the company's core service. By steering clear of politically charged narratives, Instacart seeks to deliver a message that resonates with consumers while maintaining their brand identity. This strategic choice reflects a broader trend where companies are recognizing the risks involved in mixing business with politics, instead opting to stick to what they do best. Ultimately, this allows Instacart to build a clear and consistent brand without straying into potentially divisive territory.
The Super Bowl, the biggest single media event in the US, is upon us. And the Chiefs and the Eagles aren’t the only ones with a lot on the line: advertisers have staked their reputations – and for Instacart’s Laura Jones, her job – on 30 seconds of airtime this Sunday. This week, Ben and Max bring on the Instacart CMO to talk about what it takes to make a Super Bowl ad, the thinking behind their Marvel-style approach, and her high stakes bet in one of the only remaining mass audience moments in media. They also talk about how she got 9 other brands to participate in the ad, why she avoided celebrities, and the vibe shift from “purpose” to escapism in advertising.