Cutting Through the Clutter: 5 Characteristics of Winning TV Ads

With 38 ads on average airing per minute across national TV, breaking through the clutter is essential. According to a recent analysis from Nielsen, there are five common characteristics of TV ads that resonate with consumers.

The top-five characteristics for ads that scored highly on “breakthrough,” an ad’s memorability, per consumers, are:

1. Audience-Appropriate Humor – Tickling America’s funny bone is a proven winning tactic for making an ad memorable.
2. Relatable Characters & Situations – Audiences will connect with personalities and scenarios with whom they can identify.
3. Simple & Upbeat Storyline – Ads should do more than convey information– they should tell a story.
4. Character Dialogue to Tell a Story – Changing a message from simple prose to a conversation will give the story life.
5. Build an Emotional Connection – The brain identifies an emotional experience as important enough to remember, which in turn resonates with the audience.