Hit or Miss: The week in ads

Advertising never takes a day off. One week it’s serving up heartwarming nostalgia, the next it’s throwing meme-y chaos at your screen, and sometimes, both at once. That’s the beauty (and the madness) of this business: every campaign is a gamble between genius and cringe.

A campaign can pack in a celebrity, a killer soundtrack, and glossy production values, yet still feel hollow. On the flip side, a simple story, told with honesty or wit, can spark instant recall and cultural chatter. The line between a creative win and a creative flop is razor-thin, and this weekly exercise is about holding brands accountable to that line. Let's see who gave us a reason to be their fan and which brands hit the fan.

Sprite TVC with Sharvari & Sunil Grover

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Sprite’s new campaign ties its brand directly to spicy food, a clever and relatable insight for Indian consumers. Featuring Sharvari and Sunil Grover, the ad blends humor with food culture. The execution is crisp, fun, and memorable, making Sprite appear as the perfect “cooling partner.” Its a hit for it's sharp positioning with mass connect.

Cheil India’s Samsung Galaxy F36 5G campaign

Samsung’s campaign highlights AI-powered features of the Galaxy F36 5G but feels more product-demo heavy than emotionally engaging. While it communicates innovation clearly, the storytelling lacks freshness. The visuals are sleek, but the creative spark to make consumers aspire for the phone is missing. It's informative but low on emotional recall, making it a miss.

Eastern’s Veeyapuram Chundan brand film

Eastern celebrates Kerala’s heritage with a cinematic ode to the legendary snake boat races. The campaign beautifully connects cultural pride with brand storytelling, weaving authenticity and emotion. Its sweeping visuals and narrative depth build strong regional connect and reinforce brand equity. A powerful, culture-rooted storytelling that leaves an impression, making it a hit. 

Welspun with Vidya Balan - “Kyuki Farq Padta Hai"

Welspun’s quirky film uses humor, nostalgia, and even a supernatural twist to promote home linen quality. Vidya Balan’s presence adds credibility and warmth. The blend of entertainment and product messaging works well, keeping viewers engaged while landing the brand’s core proposition. The ad is inventive, humorous, and the memorable brand storytelling makes it a hit.

Slurrp Farm - ‘Real Food. Really Easy.’

Slurrp Farm’s film cleverly highlights the balance parents seek, nutritious meals without the struggle of cooking complexities. The tone is light, family-friendly, and aspirational. Its clarity in positioning “healthy yet easy” resonates strongly with modern parents. Execution is simple but highly relatable.The ad has sharp insight, strong brand relevance for young families, making it a hit.

Elevn App ft. Karan Johar

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Elevn enters the crowded dating-app space with a unique twist, women decide who gets in. Featuring Karan Johar adds instant pop-culture value, but the ad risks feeling gimmicky rather than empowering. The idea is bold, and rather new for Indian audiences. Its a buzzy launch, and builds curiosity, making it a subtle hit.

Birla Opus Paints - Ganeshotsav Film

This film captures a child’s innocent anticipation of welcoming Bappa home, seamlessly linking emotions of festivity with the brand’s promise of beautifying homes. Heartfelt execution, strong cultural timing, and child-led narrative make it memorable. It humanizes the category well. Its a hit for its emotional, festive storytelling with authentic cultural resonance.

Nivea x Taapsee Pannu - Body Milk Film

Nivea’s new film continues its long-standing positioning of everyday confidence and care. Taapsee Pannu brings freshness and relatability, but the ad plays it safe with predictable visuals of daily routines. While effective for brand consistency, it doesn’t break new ground creatively. The ad is polished yet formulaic, low on breakthrough creativity, making it a miss.