Hit or Miss: The week in ads

The spooky season may be ending, but brand-land seems to have caught the bug for high drama and creativity. From horror support groups and haunted homes to heartwarming Puja tributes and glam travel collabs, this week’s campaigns were a delightful mix of chills, cheers, and charm. Brands seem to be leaning into storytelling that entertains as much as it sells, whether that’s through pop-culture parodies, festive sentimentality, or unapologetic self-expression.

As India’s ad calendar enters its most crowded stretch of the year, these films stood out for either sparking emotion or simply sparking joy. So, before you scroll past another sponsored reel, here’s our rundown of the week’s scroll-stoppers, genre-benders, and a rare misfire. Spoiler: Halloween might be over, but creativity’s still wide awake.

BGMI Energy Drink Ad

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BGMI’s latest energy drink reel powers up gaming adrenaline with fast edits and electrifying visuals. The product integrates seamlessly into the gaming narrative, keeping the thrill alive without overbranding. It’s a hit because it captures Gen Z’s energy and gaming obsession perfectly, pure pulse, no play.

American Tourister × LoveChild by Masaba

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American Tourister teams up with Masaba Gupta’s LoveChild for a travel-meets-fashion collection that’s unapologetically bold. Dressed in Masaba’s iconic prints, the models strut with luggage as stylish accessories. It’s a hit, fashion meets function in a collaboration that feels effortlessly cool and genuinely Indian-chic.

Peter England × Rohit Saraf

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Rohit Saraf stars in Peter England’s festive spot, bringing easy charm to the brand’s wedding-season lineup. The film merges modern appeal with traditional flair, showcasing Saraf’s relatable sophistication. It’s a hit because his effortless warmth redefines the brand’s elegance without trying too hard, smooth, stylish, and festive-ready.

JioHotstar - Horror Addicts Support Group

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JioHotstar’s horror promo reimagines fans as a “support group” addicted to scares, complete with dark humour and meta references. The writing is clever, the tone self-aware, and the execution cinematic. It’s a hit, turning what could’ve been a basic promo into an inventive, laugh-out-loud piece of content marketing.

Parle-G: Chhath Puja Ad

Parle-G’s Chhath Puja film celebrates small gestures that warm the heart, showing kindness and community through simple storytelling. There’s no product hard-sell, just emotional honesty rooted in tradition. It’s a hit for its sincerity, proof that the brand still knows how to stir nostalgia without being syrupy.

Jaro Education × Vikrant Massey

Vikrant Massey anchors Jaro Education’s campaign as the “real performer,” blending aspiration with intellect. The narrative feels motivational but predictable, with little creative spark beyond the celebrity presence. It’s a miss, while the intent is solid, the storytelling doesn’t rise to match Massey’s credibility or the brand’s ambition.

Durex India - The Other G-Spot

Durex’s “The Other G-Spot” redefines self-love with cheeky intelligence, advocating for exploration and pleasure with slick visuals and confident narration. It’s a hit, the kind of campaign that’s both sex-positive and socially smart, turning taboo talk into something empowering, witty, and completely on-brand for Durex.

Kärcher - Halloween Ad

Kärcher’s Halloween ad brings humour to home cleaning, showing chaos left outside thanks to the brand’s powerful tech. It’s funny, thematic, and cleverly product-first without feeling forced. A definite hit, seasonal marketing done right, proving that even cleaning tools can ride the spooky-season wave with wit.