Hit or Miss: The week in ads

From heartwarming narratives to quirky humour, here’s a look at how brands fared with their campaigns this week

by Soumya Gawri
Published: Apr 19, 2025 9:08 AM | 4 min read

Advertising today is all about grabbing attention, sparking emotion, and building a brand connect in seconds. Some campaigns strike the perfect balance between storytelling, celebrity power, and product messaging, earning a well-deserved “hit.” Others, however, fall flat either by missing the emotional mark, overcomplicating the idea, or losing sight of the brand promise, making them a clear “miss.”

This curated list breaks down recent campaigns across categories, highlighting what worked and what didn’t. From heartwarming narratives to quirky humour and bold product placements, here’s a look at how brands are playing their cards in the ever-competitive ad game.

Gulf Pride Ad with Dhoni

Gulf Pride Engine Oil’s latest ad, featuring MS Dhoni, highlights the emotional bond between bikers and their motorcycles. By blending nostalgia, passion, and performance messaging, it effectively resonates with bike lovers. This one’s a hit, thanks to its heartfelt narrative and Dhoni’s credible brand connect.

Bangur 'Makan Chefs'

Bangur Cement’s new ad ropes in Abhishek Banerjee to call out ‘Makan Chefs’, contractors who cut corners during construction. Though the idea is quirky and tries to simplify a serious message, the execution feels a bit over-the-top and distracts from the core product promise. This one’s a miss, as it struggles to strike the right balance between humor and trust-building.

L&T Finance with Bumarh

L&T Finance’s latest ad features Jasprit Bumrah talking about game-changing moves in business, linking it to their digitized business loan process and quick disbursal. The ad is sharp, clear, and leverages Bumrah’s dependable image well. This one’s a hit, for its focused message and solid brand-fit.

LOVETC with Janhvi Kapoor

LOVETC by Ananya Birla’s debut campaign, featuring Janhvi Kapoor, celebrates bold femininity and vibrant individuality. With Kapoor’s confident persona and striking visuals, the brand makes a fearless statement in the beauty space. This one’s a hit, thanks to its fresh vibe and strong celebrity connect.

Agoda × Atlys

Agoda and Atlys’ collaborative campaign brings back the joy of travel, simplifying visa hassles and focusing on the thrill of discovery. With relatable storytelling and a fun, quirky setup, it resonates with modern travelers. This one is a subtle hit, for its clever insight and feel-good narrative.

Classmate eduGAMES

Classmate eduGAMES Infinity’s latest ad tells a touching story of a young girl determined to study with her left hand after fracturing her right. By focusing on resilience, determination, and the joy of learning, it beautifully captures the brand’s belief that education should never stop. This one’s a hit, thanks to its wholesome storytelling and emotionally uplifting message.

MMT's 25th Anniversary

MakeMyTrip’s 25th anniversary ad, featuring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, brings lively chemistry, humor, and travel nostalgia into one fun package. By playfully showcasing destinations like Maldives, Manali, and Shimla, it cleverly celebrates the brand’s milestone while keeping it light and entertaining. This one’s a hit, with its star power, breezy vibe, and travel spirit.

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Prime Video India’s meme room

Prime Video India’s ad celebrating Panchayat’s 5-year milestone cleverly taps into fan nostalgia and internet memes while teasing the new season. By bringing back familiar faces and viral moments, it stirs excitement among viewers who’ve grown attached to the series’ small-town charm. This one’s a hit, for smartly blending humor, nostalgia, and anticipation.

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Colgate 'Indianis Dentritis'

Colgate India’s latest ad introduces ‘Indianis dentritis,’ a fictional flowering toothbrush species that blooms every 3 months, just like when you should replace your brush. Using a creative, nature-inspired metaphor, it cleverly raises awareness about oral hygiene in a visually striking, memorable way. This one’s a hit, for turning a routine habit reminder into a charming, story-driven message.

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ENO Magic with Vicky Kaushal

Eno’s latest ad, featuring Vicky Kaushal as a magician, uses humor and relatable food situations to address the all-too-common problem of acidity solved by ENO magic. With Vicky’s energetic screen presence and a lighthearted script, the ad effectively positions Eno magician as the quick, dependable fix for food-induced discomfort. This one’s a hit, thanks to its fun vibe and Vicky’s effortless charm, making a medical product feel approachable and cool.