#17: Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions
whatshot 13 snips
Apr 28, 2025
Discover the surprising success behind some of the most annoying ads in history. The podcast delves into campaigns like HeadOn and Chia Pet, highlighting how simplicity and repetition lead to unforgettable marketing. Learn how these bizarre strategies captured attention and boosted sales, proving that clarity often outshines creativity. The hosts discuss the pitfalls of abandoning effective messaging and the magic of novelty products, showing that even the simplest ideas can make a huge impact in the crowded advertising landscape.
30:04
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
HeadOn's Annoying Success
The HeadOn commercial repeated the phrase "Head On. Apply directly to the forehead" in a startling, annoying way.
This simplicity and repetition made it memorable and hugely increased sales by 234%.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Keep Marketing Simple and Clear
Avoid overexplaining your product; simplicity leads to clarity and better sales.
Emphasize what makes your product different and repeat your message loudly and clearly to capture attention.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Chia Pet's Catchy Simplicity
The Chia Pet ad used a catchy phrase "Ch-ch Chia" and clear steps to plant and grow seeds.
This simple and repetitive message helped the product generate $300 million in annual revenue at its peak.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In this book, Donald Miller presents the StoryBrand Framework, a proven system to help businesses effectively communicate with their customers. The framework is based on the seven universal elements of powerful stories, which include identifying the customer's desires, problems, and the role of the guide who provides a plan and calls to action. Miller emphasizes the importance of simplifying brand messages, creating clear and compelling marketing materials, and positioning the brand as a guide rather than a hero. This approach has helped numerous businesses, from small startups to large corporations, to significantly improve their customer engagement and revenue.
Most people try to make their marketing polished, clever, or inspirational. But in the end, clarity beats creativity every time. In fact, some of the most “annoying” ads in history made hundreds of millions of dollars simply because they were impossible to ignore. They weren’t beautiful, they weren’t clever, but they were unforgettable. So why do so many businesses avoid this approach? Because we assume our customers want sophistication, when what they really need is a message that’s crystal clear and easy to remember. If your ad gets ignored, it doesn’t matter how gorgeous it is.
In this week’s episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed discuss the genius behind annoying marketing campaigns like HeadOn, Chia Pet, and the George Foreman Grill. You’ll learn why these seemingly ridiculous ads worked, how they used repetition and simplicity to dominate attention, and what you can take away to sharpen your own message. Tune in to learn how to make your marketing stick no matter how simple (or obnoxious) it may seem.
--
Unlock the power of a framework that works—the StoryBrand Framework at StoryBrand.ai. It's like having the world’s best copywriter create high-converting marketing whenever you need it. Start your free 7-day trial at StoryBrand.ai.
Learn how to make your marketing and messaging work using a proven framework in the updated book, Building a StoryBrand 2.0. Order it now on Amazon or wherever you buy books!
Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai 