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The Top Five Ads of 2020
THE TOP 5 ADS OF 2020

By Katana Lemelin

December 22, 2020

ABSTRACT

Most people likely entered the year 2020 with a sense of optimism and seeking a fresh start that is associated with a new year. The adage, ‘hindsight is 20/20’, is likely to hold more weight with the previous year than most others in recent history; however, we’ve learned a lot about ourselves, our wants, needs, and what we consider to be important. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several brands held their audience’s attention through creative, engaging, and COVID conscious advertising.

In 2020, the majority of people became physically isolated and spending priorities changed, which encouraged brands to adapt. Researchers at Clicksuasion Labs studied advertising campaigns from brands across the globe and shared their top 5 ads for 2020. The ads were chosen based on several criteria, which included the application of behavioral science, the impact on brand and consumer, time and brevity, social impact, and concern for the COVID conscious consumer.

#5 HEINEKEN ‘BACK TO THE BARS’

In 5th is Heineken’s ‘Back to the Bars’ campaign where the brand humorously reminded us to keep our distance while staying safe. Their upbeat video presented situations we can relate to as we ventured out following stay-at-home orders where the Psy-Feld effect was cleverly applied. Presenting the minutiae of everyday life that North Americans were slightly reminded to rediscover, which ranged from the elbow bump greeting to the mistaken touch of the bathroom sink after washing our hands. Their ad shared unique ways to socialize responsibly that related to their audience. When ‘Back to the Bars’ was released earlier this year, many people were more than ready to escape the confines of their homes.

#4 BURGER KING ‘MOLDY WHOPPER’

Fourth on our list is Burger King, who crafted a video that might seem counterproductive. The quick-service brand’s video featured a moldy Whopper. The deterioration of the sandwich is shown in both photo and video format as a 34-day speed-run that held its viewers’ morbid attention.

This promotion offered an unseen amount of transparency for the food industry. There’s a long history of creating ads that make their food look as appetizing as possible (hint: the food shown in visual advertising is rarely food). Consumers are becoming more conscious about the food they consume, it appears Burger King is attempting to remain relevant.

Overall, the moldy Whopper was a clever way to create conversation. The average North American is exposed to 5,000 ads per day. Capturing an audience’s attention and enticing their engagement is often a difficult task. While the ad campaign may be controversial, there was a positive impact for Burger King.

#3 DOMINO’S ‘WE’RE HIRING’

In third place is Domino’s Pizza with their “We’re hiring” campaign, which placed an order for full- or part-time workers in a commercial primarily recorded with Zoom. At the time, this type of videography was novel and groundbreaking for an advertisement. Television series Modern Family once recorded an entire 30-minute episode, ‘Connection Lost’, using only FaceTime, iMessage, and select social media channels.

Domino’s Pizza featured a montage of employees from locations across the United States. When a friend or family member recommends a product or service, you’re more likely to consider their suggestion: the referral is from a person you know, like and trust. More than likely, you don’t know any of the people in the Domino’s Pizza commercial. The use of Zoom allowed Domino’s Pizza to bundle their employees with people you know, like, and trust: co-workers, friends, and family. Domino’s Pizza applied social proof and bundling to connect their audience to their employees.

Additionally, Domino’s Pizza embraced low-resolution video quality, which likely built a connection between the experiences of their customers and those who have been using video chat communication for work or play. Domino’s Pizza’s ad is effective because it created 10,000 jobs. Furthermore, the quick-service pizza brand donated 10 million slices of pizza to local communities, thus being effective and COVID-conscious in one slice.

#2 UBER ‘NO MASK. NO RIDE.’

Our second-ranked contender is Uber with their video “No mask. No ride.” Uber featured drivers and bicyclists making deliveries. Uber applied effective altruism and auditory stimuli to capture their audience’s attention. Altruism is likely to be more effective without voiceovers, influencers, or human input. Uber capitalized on social proof to deliver a message that sticks.

While donating to your local community can appear as altruism. Uber used this concept by presenting how North Americans contribute to society and safety by wearing facial coverings. We give up a little to gain a lot.

All while priming us with auditory stimuli, which will likely create empathy. Hand clapping and a single piano note prelude transitions in the video. The familiar background noise of everyday life pulls us into experiences we may envision as our own. Such as a moped engine, bicycle wheels, cars, sirens, the ring of a doorbell, or the sound of an opening gate.

Uber’s ad is potentially controversial because it thanked us for not riding with them. Not only is Uber’s ad COVID-conscious with the prevalent message to wear a facial covering, but the ad also supported healthcare workers, first responders, local restaurants, and delivery rockstars. Uber pledged 10 million free rides and deliveries for frontline workers.

#1 RED WING SHOES ‘LABOR DAY ON’

Finally, first places goes to Red Wing Shoes’ #LaborDayOn campaign. On September 7th, 2020, Red Wing Shoes forewent the promotion of shoes to post job openings, which tied into a multi-brand cooperation to provide work opportunities across the United States. Each of their locations were employment hubs for the day; their windows filled with text featuring available careers from Red Wing Shoes and other brands. A clear message of “Shop for Jobs” instead of boots.

Red Wing Shoes applied effective altruism to connect their audience with other brands at their brick and mortar locations and the use of a job search hotline. The impact resides in the collaboration of brands and the number of people hired. More than 40 brands partnered with Red Wing Shoes, who used a non-Labor holiday that is synonymous with discounts and sales into a day for the American worker. Red Wing Shoes addressed one of the significant challenges caused by the pandemic: unemployment.

HONORABLE MENTION #1 AT&T ‘WORKING TO KEEP YOU CONNECTED’

The 100-year-old company presented footage of its employees, a family dancing, and various video calls. Such as guitar jam sessions, meetings, and birthday parties. Highlighting all the ways we may stay connected. These clips were examples of social proof.

Most people felt the change in their daily lives, and AT&T’s messaging stated they want us to stay connected to the people we care about. Including news, information, education, and entertainment. Even stating that keeping us connected is what they’ve always done and what they’ll always do. As homes became schools, AT&T created a $10 million fund to support distance learning, which offered unlimited data to consumers, kept public Wi-Fi hotspots open, and waived late fees. Communication was (and still is) a key service to keep the economy operating and our families learning from home.

HONORABLE MENTION #2 POLICYGENIUS ‘THE FUTURE IS UNPREDICTABLE’

Our second honorable mention is Policygenius, an insurance company whose NYC subway ads captured their audience’s attention. Their 1960’s era design called back to “The Jetsons” cartoon, which presented the message, “the future is impossible to predict, so let’s get insurance right”. A statement that applied the availability bias to messaging and impact. Giving their potential customers a taste of what they could experience with their product: stability in a world where we can’t predict the future.

These ads spread over 500 subway cars and digital platforms in NYC. The ads will likely remain in place until the end of January 2021. Phrases such as “Compare insurance for your car that doesn’t fly and your home that’s not on mars.” As humans, we generally get the future wrong.The Jetsons did predict telemedicine; however, Policygenius applied psychology to the unknown and what people often miscalculate for the future.

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      MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT

      LAST UPDATED AUGUST 6, 2019

      This Master Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into this day by and between Clicksuasion Labs. (“Clicksuasion”), 293 Olmsted Blvd, Second Floor, Pinehurst, NC 28374, USA, on behalf of itself and its owned and operated affiliates, and (“Client”), in the delivery of consulting and other professional services, collectively the “Parties”   This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice.

      1. DEFINITIONS:
      • “Services” means any products and services that are requested by Client, whether electronic, written or verbal to Clicksuasion.
      • “Website” collectively refers to all Internet websites and domains owned by Clicksuasion.
      • “Exploratory”, “Discovery” means all communication, whether electronic, written or verbal with the intent to agree upon a SOW.
      • “Client” means any person or entity who requests Services or engages in Exploratory or Discovery communication with the intent to hire Clicksuasion Services.

       

      1. SCOPE: “Clicksuasion” shall provide consulting, research and other professional services to Client or to Client’s clients.

       

      1. WORK ASSIGNMENTS: The specific services to be provided by Clicksuasion shall be described in one or more Statements of Work (“SOW”) (or “Proposal”) issued pursuant to this Agreement and agreed upon in writing by the Parties prior to the termination of this Agreement, except where mentioned in paragraphs 5 and 16. The SOW shall be incorporated herein by reference and all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to the SOW as if fully set forth therein. The SOW shall include a summary of the work, skills required, fees to be paid, and instructions on reimbursable expenses.  In the event of any conflict between the contents of any SOW and this Agreement, the SOW shall govern.

       

      1. USE OF CLICKSUASION WEBSITES: visit TERMS OF USE: clicksuasion.com/termsofuse

       

      1. INVOICING AND PAYMENT: We will invoice Client at the beginning of any project and when stated in the SOW. Unless otherwise stated, invoiced charges are due net-thirty (30) days from the invoice date. Client is responsible for providing complete and accurate billing and contact information to Clicksuasion and promptly notifying Clicksuasion of any changes to such information, including, without limitation, Client’s obligation to promptly report any Services-related performance issues or problems negatively impacting Client’s satisfaction with the Services so that Clicksuasion may attempt to remedy such. For clarity, if Client fails to notify Clicksuasion of a Services-related issue within five days from incurring it, such issue may not be relied upon as a reason to terminate this Agreement for Cause. In the event that payment is made via a third party agent, Client shall indemnify Clicksuasion and keep Clicksuasion indemnified against any loss, damage, costs and expenses Clicksuasion may suffer or incur as a result of any default by the third party agent in making payment in accordance with the terms of the SOW or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement. Client further authorize Clicksuasion to use a third party to process payments, and consent to the disclosure of your payment information to such third party. Clicksuasion shall invoice Client for fees and direct out-of-pocket expenses incurred as per the SOW. Payment in full is due upon completion of work or if other arrangements have been made between Clicksuasion and Client. Invoices unpaid after 15-days shall incur a late fee of 24 percent per annum until paid in full. Billing shall be on a time and materials basis.  Client’s non-payment of any Invoice shall entitle the Clicksuasion to stop performance under the terms of this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and/or any SOW without recourse by Client. Client is responsible for all fees and damages associated with the collection and legal solutions of late payments. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due. If any amount owed by Client under this or any other agreement for Clicksuasion services is thirty or more days overdue, Clicksuasion may, without limiting Clicksuasion’s other rights and remedies, accelerate Client’s unpaid fee obligations under such agreements so that all such obligations become immediately due and payable, and suspend Client Services until such amounts are paid in full. Clicksuasion will give Client at least seven days’ prior notice that the Client account is overdue before suspending services to Client.

       

      1. ENGAGEMENT NOTICE: A request for services, whether electronic or verbal, to members of Clicksuasion and the acceptance of the request of services from Clicksuasion will constitute a signed writing. All requested services, without a signed agreement, are billed monthly at $490.00 USD per hour. Client is subject to a $270.00 USD charge upon two consecutive missed meetings, whether electronic, telephonic or in-person, regardless of geographic location. Clients with ten (10) or less full-time W2-structured employees are billed $10,000.00 USD to be held in escrow for discussions related to research. All monies held in escrow will be billed at $490.00 USD during the exploratory process and all remaining funds, if applicable, will be returned to Client upon completion of the SOW or after an agreement is signed between both parties to cancel the SOW, whichever is first.

       

      1. VENDOR NOTICE: No employee of Clicksuasion has the authority to conclude any binding contract without an explicit ink-signed consent by the Chief Behavioral Officer. Therefore, any will to enter into an agreement must be confirmed by the Chief Behavioral Officer.

       

      1. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR: The Parties recognize and agree that Clicksuasion is an independent contractor. This Agreement is not to be construed to create an employment relationship between Client and Clicksuasion’s employees or subcontractors. This Agreement does not authorize either party to enter into any commitment or agreement binding on the other party. Clicksuasion shall have sole responsibility for the payment of salary (including withholding of income taxes and social security), worker’s compensation, disability benefits, and all other applicable taxes for its personnel.

       

      1. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: Each Party agrees not to directly or indirectly disclose to third parties any of the other party’s confidential or proprietary information without the written consent of the disclosing party. Neither party shall, during the time the Clicksuasion is rendering services to the Client or any time thereafter, disclose to anyone other than authorized personnel any information of a confidential nature, including but not limited to, information relating to: any materials or intellectual property supplied by one Party to the other Party; either Party’s projects or programs; the technical, commercial or any other affairs or acts of the other Party or any confidential information which either Party has received from a third party and which has been identified as confidential. The restrictions contained in this Agreement are intended to cover confidential information which relates to the Parties’ respective businesses and which has not been otherwise made public but shall not apply to the dissemination which may be required by proper government or judicial inquiry. Likewise, confidential information shall not be deemed to be information which is in the public domain or which at some future point become available in the public domain. All non-disclosure agreements between Client and Clicksuasion are void upon the first aged invoice 30-days past due. Additionally, the non-disclosure agreement must be re-signed by both parties to be effective beyond the first aged invoice 30-days past due.

       

      1. WORK PRODUCT RIGHTS: Clicksuasion shall retain all rights, title, interest and ownership in the work product delivered pursuant to this Agreement, any Amendments thereto and the SOW as well as the Clicksuasion’s proprietary tools and methodologies which shall remain the sole property of Clicksuasion. For work product produced under the terms of this Agreement, upon payment in full of Clicksuasion’s Invoices, Client shall be granted a paid up, non-exclusive, irrevocable, world-wide license for all such work product to reproduce, distribute copies to the public and prepare derivative works by or on behalf of Client. Client agrees to permit Clicksuasion to publish Client data and case studies, without personally identifiable information, and without distribution of confidential information, for the purpose of advancing behavioral science via academic journals and Clicksuasion websites and distribution channels.

       

      1. TAXES: Client shall be responsible for all federal, state, and local sales, use, privilege, or excise taxes assessed on the charges to Client’s end users in relation to services provided hereunder (if Client is a tax-exempt organization and therefore there may be no taxes). Clicksuasion shall be responsible for all federal, state, and local sales, use, privilege, or excise taxes assessed on Clicksuasion’s income for these services.

       

      1. CLIENT LIST: Client agrees that Clicksuasion may include Client in its published client list and may display Client’s logo and trademark in its marketing materials and public relations; provided such use conforms to Client’s logo and trademark standards as such standards are provided to Clicksuasion.

       

      1. NON-SOLICITATION: During the term of the applicable SOW and for one year thereafter, neither Party shall solicit, entice, offer employment, retain or hire the other Party’s employees or contractors, without the written agreement of the other Party; nor shall Clicksuasion solicit or enter into a direct contract with Client’s client without the written agreement of Client.

       

      1. WARRANTIES: Clicksuasion warrants that the Services to be provided under this Agreement shall be performed in a professional manner conforming to generally accepted industry standards and practices. Client agrees that Clicksuasion sole and exclusive obligation with respect to the Services covered by this limited warranty shall be, at Clicksuasion sole discretion, to correct the nonconformity or to refund the Services Fees paid for the affected Services.

       

      1. TERM OF AGREEMENT: This Agreement commences on the date Client executes the SOW or requests service, whichever is first, or Client access any Clicksuasion Services and this Agreement continues until all services granted in accordance with this Agreement have expired or been terminated.

       

      1. TERMINATION: This Agreement may be terminated or amended at any time only upon written agreement by both parties with 30-days written notice; however, all payments made to Clicksuasion and the rights and obligations which by their nature are intended to survive such expiration or earlier termination shall survive, including without limitation warranty, limitation of liability, and confidentiality. Client may request that Clicksuasion reassign any of its personnel assigned to a SOW upon Clicksuasion’s receipt of Client’s written notice.

       

      1. LIABILITY FOR LOSS: Neither Party shall be responsible for any consequential, indirect, punitive, incidental, or special damages arising under any theory of recovery. The maximum liability of either Party is limited to fees paid by or payable to Clicksuasion for Clicksuasion’s services. Client acknowledges that Clicksuasion shall not be responsible for damages or delays of any kind or type caused by labor strikes, fires, wars, acts of God, terrorist activities, the inability to obtain supplies or materials or any other causes or forces beyond the control of the Clicksuasion. Client acknowledges that such events may delay the start, progress and/or the completion of the work.  Moreover, Client acknowledges and agrees the Clicksuasion shall have no further liability upon Client’s receipt of Services.  Client also acknowledges and agrees that any changes made to the website by Client’s personnel and/or by third parties which require the Company to do additional work after delivery of Services shall be billed by Clicksuasion to the Client on a time and materials basis.

       

      1. WAIVER: No delay or failure by either Party to exercise any right or remedy will operate as a waiver thereof.

       

      1. SEVERABILITY: If any part of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unlawful for any reason, the same shall be deemed severed from the remainder thereof and it shall in no way affect or impair the validity of the Agreement, any Amendments thereto and/or the SOW.

       

      1. ASSIGNMENT: This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred by either party without written agreement of both Parties, which assignment shall not be unreasonably withheld, qualified or delayed.

       

      1. GOVERNING LAW: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina without reference to any principles of choice or conflicts of laws. Any action instituted by either party arising out of this Agreement, the SOW or the Proposal shall be litigated exclusively in Moore County, North Carolina.  The Parties expressly consent to the exclusive personal jurisdiction and venue of Moore County, North Carolina.

       

      1. COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT: If a suit, action, arbitration, or other proceeding of any nature whatsoever is instituted in connection with any controversy arising out of this Agreement, or to interpret or enforce any rights under this Agreement or the North Carolina Limited Liability Company Act, Clicksuasion may recover attorney’s fees and costs.

       

      1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior understandings between the Parties. Any change to this Agreement shall be in the form of a written Amendment signed by both Parties.  In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and the signed Amendment, the Amendment shall control.

       

      1. JOINT DRAFTING OF AGREEMENT: The Parties expressly agree that this Agreement was jointly drafted and that both Parties have had the opportunity to negotiate terms and to review the terms prior to the execution of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed neither against nor in favor of either Party but shall be construed in a neutral manner.

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