How Pfizer made the highest scoring Pharma ad of all time - Susan Rienow
Feb 10, 2025
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In this engaging conversation, Susan Rienow, Pfizer's Chief Marketing Officer and a leader in modernizing pharmaceutical marketing, reveals the secrets behind their stunning Super Bowl ad, 'Knock Out,' which scored a remarkable 4.4 stars. She discusses the importance of utilizing data-driven insights for effective advertising and the challenges of balancing emotional resonance with scientific accuracy. Rienow also highlights the transformative role of AI in drug development and emphasizes the need for genuine communication in building trust with diverse audiences.
Pfizer's Super Bowl ad strategy emphasizes a blend of emotional storytelling and scientific rigor to effectively engage both consumers and healthcare professionals.
Data-driven decision-making and advanced analytics are integral to Pfizer's marketing efforts, significantly enhancing campaign effectiveness and responsiveness to audience needs.
Navigating regulatory requirements, Pfizer prioritizes transparency in advertising, fostering trust by clearly communicating both the benefits and potential risks of their treatments.
Deep dives
Pfizer's Winning Super Bowl Strategy
Pfizer's recent Super Bowl ad campaign highlights their dedication to impactful advertising that not only serves to elevate brand reputation but also focuses on transformative cancer treatments. By leveraging analytics and audience insights, Pfizer has successfully created ads that resonate emotionally with both healthcare professionals and general consumers. The brand's commitment to fighting cancer is encapsulated in their messaging about achieving eight breakthroughs by 2030, effectively linking their mission to the broader context of Super Bowl advertising. The ad's high performance rating demonstrates the effectiveness of Pfizer's innovative approach to marketing and storytelling.
The Role of Analytics in Marketing
Susan Reno's career progression showcases the crucial role analytics play in modern marketing strategies, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Starting out in analytics laid a strong foundation for her work as CMO, where data-driven decision-making is paramount. Innovative uses of complex data sets and artificial intelligence have been integrated into Pfizer’s marketing efforts, significantly enhancing how campaigns are structured and executed. This analytical approach ensures that marketing decisions are informed by real-time feedback, allowing for continuous improvement and responsiveness to audience needs.
Balancing Scientific Rigor with Emotional Appeal
Pfizer navigates the complexities of communicating to both B2B and B2C audiences by integrating scientific rigor with emotional storytelling in their messaging. The company's ads emphasize the shared goal between patients and healthcare professionals, focusing on the fundamental desire to prevent illness and promote health. This dual approach allows for effective communication that resonates on multiple levels, creating a sense of hope and urgency around cancer care. By providing an emotionally charged narrative, the ads not only inform but also inspire action, pushing for early screenings and treatments.
Regulatory Challenges and Trust
Operating within a highly regulated environment, Pfizer's approach emphasizes the importance of transparency in communicating both the benefits and risks associated with their products. Fair balance, a regulatory requirement in the U.S., necessitates that Pfizer dedicates a portion of their advertising to discuss potential side effects, reinforcing a culture of trust with consumers. While navigating these regulations can be challenging, Susan Reno believes that adhering to them is crucial in building and maintaining public trust. By effectively communicating the serious nature of their drugs while also promoting their innovative breakthroughs, Pfizer is positioned as a trustworthy leader in the industry.
Creative Collaboration and Impact Measurement
The collaboration between Pfizer, Publicis, and System One during the ad development process demonstrates the power of teamwork in achieving high-impact advertising results. By utilizing advanced testing methodologies, the teams were able to refine the ad based on emotional connection and brand recognition metrics. This approach not only resulted in a highly resonant ad but also ensured that the messaging was effective for driving real-world action, such as encouraging cancer screenings. Pfizer is committed to measuring the success of its campaigns, using various metrics to evaluate the impact of advertising beyond mere reach.
The Super Bowl is the biggest advertising event of the year, with the biggest brands in the world flexing their advertising muscles (and budgets). A new entrant to the Super Bowl in 2024 was Pfizer, and they're back again this year with an ad that has blown the socks off the Pharma category. Their big game ad "Knock Out", scored 4.4 stars in System1 testing, also making it one of the best ads overall. I speak with Pfizer CMO, Susan Rienow about what it takes to create such a successful ad in the most competitive environment.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Susan’s successful career so far 03:19 - What Pfizer does and their mission 04:21 - The Covid vaccine rollout 06:29 - The role of insights for making business decisions 07:36 - Dealing with the complexities of different audiences 10:12 - Managing the impact of fair balance in advertising 14:51 - The role of Pfizer’s advertising 17:04 - Why have Pfizer gone all in with a Super Bowl ad 20:12 - The Pfizer Super Bowl ad in 2025 25:20 - What role does testing play for creating an effective ad 33:31 - The role of testing giving confidence to the board 37:39 - How tiny changes can make such a big difference 39:15 - How to evaluate the impact of a Super Bowl ad 41:22 - What makes a great CMO 46:40 - Advice Susan would give to young marketers
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