Advertising Copy - Funny Business Service Ad

Choose from one of the following service industries (and you may choose an existing brand or invent one)

• Banking
• Car Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Tax Preparation

The assignment is to write a funny ad for serious products. Before you present the ad, you need to provide a background statement that includes the following (most of which are typically part of a creative brief):

Describe the company and product you are selling; it’s a bank that’s been in business for 100 years or it’s a new online bank for millenials, it’s the friendlier car insurance company for first-time car buyers, etc.

Do some research to find what the differentiators are in that particular product market.

Include the objective for the ad – what problem are you solving or what feature/benefit/value are you promoting? Who is the target audience that you are addressing as background for your ad?

Provide your single-minded message – what are you asking the ad to communicate about your brand?

Write headlines and body copy, using subheads if needed Incorporate some of the humor approaches we’ve discussed in class: Absurdity, the human condition, exaggeration, downright stupidity! Sarcasm, irreverence, double meanings, incongruity

Your ad will probably require an explanation of visuals in order to work. Create a layout and explain it, and/or use additional pages to provide descriptions as needed.

Your ad will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. The ability of your ad to communicate your single-minded message
2. Your use of humor in the headline, body copy and/or visual
3. Your ability to demonstrate some of the forms and styles discussed in class.
4. Your use of strong words and phrases that don’t just tell, they SELL!