Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Every week, the advertising world delivers a fresh batch of campaigns aiming to capture our attention, inspire action, and build brand loyalty. But not every ad hits the mark. Some resonate instantly with clever creativity, memorable storytelling, or emotional impact, while others miss their target due to uninspired concepts, lack of originality, or weak messaging. In this week’s roundup, we break down a diverse mix of ads from various industries, from consumer goods and tech to finance and entertainment, to see which ones nailed it and which fell short. 

Pirmal i-pill ad

The "Sirf i-pill Daily"ad promotes a daily oral contraceptive with a clear, empowering message on reproductive control. It’s a hit for addressing women’s health boldly, but misses slightly by oversimplifying the nuances of daily pill use. Still, its crisp storytelling and relatable tone make it a memorable campaign.

Britannia Milk Bikis With Gukesh

The Milk Bikis "Smart Moves" ad featuring chess prodigy Gukesh celebrates intelligence and strategy through a creative AI-powered narrative. While the concept smartly aligns with the brand's message of boosting brainpower, the execution feels a bit overdone, making it more of a miss than a memorable marketing checkmate.

RedBus Bus Karo

The “Bus yaani redBus” campaign cleverly equates redBus with bus travel itself. Each of the three ads, Theatre, Classroom, and Courtroom, uses humorous, relatable setups to highlight how redBus simplifies bookings. While the message is clear and catchy, the exaggerated scenarios may not resonate with everyone. Overall, mostly a hit.

Gabit With Ranbir Kapoor

The Gabit Smart Ring ad features Ranbir Kapoor in a humorous behind-the-scenes setup, promoting the ring’s health-tracking features under the campaign "#WhatAreYouTracking." With its stylish presentation and relatable concept, the ad effectively connects health tech to everyday life. It’s a definite hit.

Myntra 'EROS' Ad

Myntra’s 22nd End of Reason Sale (EORS) launches soon, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kiara Advani in a playful ad directed by Farah Khan. The campaign highlights unbeatable deals so good that no traditional advertising is needed, the ad is hilarious and a hit.

Puma Ad

PUMA India’s new campaign stars Ibrahim Ali Khan and Shanaya Kapoor, spotlighting the Palermo sneaker. The ad celebrates youthful creativity and transformation, showcasing stylish self-expression through activities like upcycling and rooftop movies. It connects the brand deeply with India’s vibrant youth culture and fresh energy. Feels almost like a indie music video, a hit.

Tata Gluco+ Ad

Tata Gluco+'s latest campaign titled "Piyo Goodness. Karo Greatness." This commercial showcases a young man enjoying a refreshing drink, emphasizing the brand's focus on delivering energy and vitality. The ad works well with it's target audience, so definitely a hit.

Boomer Introduces Lolipops

The Boomer Lollipop ad, “Bano Sabka Pop,” stars cricket icon Jasprit Bumrah showcasing his cool swagger while enjoying the candy. The ad cleverly revives nostalgia while keeping the brand fresh and fun for today’s audience. It is definitely a hit.

Veet Pure Ad

The Veet Pure ad, “Say Hello To The Smoothest Way To Sexy,” highlights a woman confidently enjoying smooth skin with its hair removal cream designed for sensitive bikini areas. The ad effectively promotes comfort and confidence, but its message feels familiar, lacking a distinctive or memorable creative spark, a miss.

Bajaj Allianz Life's SISO

The Bajaj Allianz Life ad, “SISO: Invest Smart for Steady Growth,” featuring Shubman Gill, aims to link cricket discipline with investing but falls flat. The concept feels cliché and uninspired, offering little new insight or emotional connection, making it easy to overlook in a crowded financial ad market.