Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Which brands hit it out of the park? Who got clean bowled? Here's our list for the week

by Soumya Gawri
Published: Mar 22, 2025 9:06 AM | 3 min read

If this week’s ads were a Dream11 fantasy team, cricket and betting apps would be opening the innings, Bollywood stars would be the middle-order anchors, and emotional storytelling would be a lone tailender hoping to survive.

With IPL fever gripping brands, Dhoni, Rohit, and even Aamir-Ranbir swapped their scripts for sixes and strategies. Meanwhile, some brands swung for the fences, while others barely cleared the boundary rope. From high-energy promos to playful endorsements, the ad game was as unpredictable as a Super Over. So, who hit it out of the park and who got clean bowled?

1. Cadbury Gems in Space | Jitney Colours Utni Masti

Cadbury Gems takes its fun, vibrant appeal to space, blending imagination with colour. The ad delivers its “masti” message effectively while maintaining brand recall, making it engaging for kids and adults. It's a hit.

2. All They Want is Sheba | Sharvari’s Dinner Date

Sheba’s luxurious appeal shines with Sharvari in an elegant setting. The ad positions cat care as a refined lifestyle, making pet indulgence aspirational. Smooth storytelling adds charm. It's a hit for us.

3. Enjoy Every Turn | MS Dhoni x Eurogrip Tyres

Despite Dhoni’s charisma, the narrative feels predictable. While the adventurous spirit is highlighted, the connection between tyres and the journey feels underwhelming. It lacks a fresh hook. It missed the mark.

4. Don't Be Stupid Stupid Stupid! | Goibibo App

Goibibo’s quirky, fast-paced humour with cricket legends grabs attention. The ad reinforces urgency for last-minute bookings in a lighthearted way, striking the right balance between fun and functionality, making it a fun hit.

5. Zomato Quick – Food in 10 Minutes ads

For Zomato Quick these ads are snappy, and relatable. The 4 ads use humour and speed to highlight Zomato’s USP. A strong recall factor with the “dus” wordplay from the iconic song, 'Ek, Do, teen' from tezaab. It's easily a big hit.

6. Flipkart – Gudi Padwa Campaign

This Flipkart ad culturally relevant and festive. Flipkart smartly connects regional sentiment with offers, blending emotion and commerce. A definite hit for us.

7. PokerBaazi – Shahid Kapoor Ad

This Pokerbaazi ad with Shahid Kapoor tries too hard to be witty but ends up feeling disconnected. The poker analogy lacks emotional engagement. Its a miss.

8. My11Circle – Shubman Gill Campaign

This My11circle ad is a smooth blend of cricket fandom and fantasy league excitement. Shubman’s calm demeanor adds authenticity and appeal. It's a subtle hit.

9. Star Sports IPL Promo – ‘Sabka Level Up Hoga’

Despite a power-packed lineup featuring Dhoni, Rohit, and Rishabh, this IPL promo feels a bit déjà vu. The “sabko level up karna hoga” theme lacks freshness, making it a miss.

10. Rasna – ‘Share The Love, Share The Mango’
Rasnanails the summer vibe with adorable sibling moment waiting for their baby sister over mango goodness. The innocence, warmth, and a dash of nostalgia make this ad a hit.

11. Dream11 – ‘Aamir Ne Banaya Kapoor Ko Singh’
Aamir and Ranbir’s unexpected banter turns fantasy cricket into pure entertainment. The playful dynamics, laced with humour, make this a hit.

12. EMotorad – ‘Animal for a Reason’
Dhoni’s swag on wheels combined with action-packed vibes makes this ad an instant hit. The “Animal” reference adds just the right dose of rugged charm, making it as thrilling as a last-over finish! Best ad of the list for sure.