Johnnie Walker’s 2015 “Dear Brother” ad was a powerful and emotional commercial that struck a chord with viewers around the world. The ad, which featured two brothers walking through the Scottish Highlands, quickly went viral and has since been viewed tens of millions of times. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful whiskey commercials in history.
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What's the "Dear Brother" ad about?
The ad begins with two young 20-something brothers walking through an idyllic landscape of rolling hills and ruined stone cabins. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and awe-inspiring. As they journey, they share a bottle of Johnnie Walker whiskey together as they take in their surroundings.
As the brothers continue their journey, they eventually reach a cliff overlooking the sea. As the camera pans out, we discover that one of the brothers is dead and his companion has come to spread his ashes over the sea below them. The emotion in this moment is palpable; it is clear that this event was both devastating and bittersweet for him.
What did Johnnie Walker achieve?
The response to Johnnie Walker’s “Dear Brother” ad was immediate and overwhelming; viewers posted reaction videos of how it made them weep after it aired on television. This response underscores just how effective the ad was at evoking emotion among its audience – something that many brands attempt with varying levels of success, but few can achieve quite like Johnnie Walker did with “Dear Brother.”
Johnnie Walker achieved this emotional resonance by leveraging excellent storytelling techniques: characters with whom viewers could relate; captivating visuals to draw them into the story; subtle product placement throughout; and a powerful conclusion that left audiences moved yet uplifted by what they had witnessed. In addition to these elements, Johnnie Walker also tapped into universal themes – such as death, grief, love, friendship – which allowed people from all walks of life to find a connection in their own stories.
Creating an emotional connection between brand and viewer alike
The success of Johnnie Walker’s “Dear Brother” ad campaign speaks volumes about its effectiveness at creating an emotional connection between brand and viewer alike. By carefully crafting an emotionally evocative narrative set against gorgeous visuals, they successfully crafted an unforgettable experience that resonated deeply with viewers around the world – something very few commercials manage to do so successfully. Interestingly enough, even without any direct marketing or promotion behind it, the ad managed to go viral on its own accord due to word-of-mouth alone – further demonstrating its ability to strike an emotional chord with those who watch it!
In conclusion, Johnnie Walker’s 2015 ‘Dear Brother’ commercial proved itself be one of most successful whiskey commercials in history due its masterful use of storytelling techniques combined with emotionally resonating themes that touched people around the world in ways no other brand had achieved before then – proving once again why emotions are such an important element when it comes to successful marketing campaigns
Vladimir Dasic
Founder and CEO of Vuk Multimedia, since 2018