Jingles are still prevalent in the insurance industry because they create brand recognition and evoke positive emotions in an otherwise dull market.
Insurance companies that have invested in long-standing jingles have built strong brand equity and can leverage them alongside spoken-word slogans or famous artist collaborations.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Jingles in Advertising
Jingles have been a staple in advertising since the early 1920s, when radio commercials first emerged. Brands quickly realized that incorporating music into ads made them more memorable. Over the years, jingles became more melodic and catchy, with examples like Wheaties' jingle in 1926 and Pepsi's jazzy tune in 1939. The popularity of jingles grew with the rise of television in the 1950s, and insurance companies joined the trend in the 1960s. However, in recent years, shorter ads and the use of popular songs have diminished the prominence of jingles in advertising.
Why Insurance Companies Stick With Jingles
Insurance companies have continued to use jingles because they help create brand recognition and evoke positive emotions. Insurance is a necessary but often dull product, and jingles add an element of personality and warmth to the brand. Catchy and reassuring jingles like State Farm's and Nationwide's become familiar and memorable to consumers. Unlike other industries, insurance companies aren't easily replaced by competitors, so staying top-of-mind through jingles can be advantageous in a market with low awareness and infrequent interactions.
Challenges and Future of Insurance Jingles
The rise of digital platforms and shorter ad formats has posed challenges to traditional jingles. With ads as short as 6 seconds, it's difficult to fit in a full-length jingle. Additionally, many companies have shifted towards using popular songs in commercials as a way to leverage existing positive associations. However, insurance companies that have invested in long-standing jingles have built strong brand equity over time. Some companies have found a middle ground by combining spoken-word slogans with the jingles playing in the background or commissioning famous artists to sing the jingles.
For decades, the jingle was king. But in the last twenty years, jingles have nearly gone extinct. Many brands have now dropped their melodic earworms in favor of spoken word slogans. Today, there’s just one industry where jingles are still as common as ever: insurance. The question is, why? Featuring Jeanna Isham of the Sound in Marketing podcast, audio branding expert Colleen Fahey, and Brand Manager Sergio Trujillo.