Welcome to round two of GeistM’s quarterly “Best Ads of 2024” series! 

Once a month, the GeistM team gathers to highlight the most impactful ads we’ve seen. We share our  top picks “from the wild,” and then vote on the one that inspires us the most.

Every day, we’re immersed in campaigns that redefine innovation, storytelling, and strategy. And as marketers, we’re always on the lookout for standout ads that elevate our creative game. 

We’re thrilled to reveal our top picks for the Best Ads of Q4 2024! Keep reading to discover the ads that not only caught our attention but sparked fresh ideas, pushing the boundaries of what marketing can achieve…

• Best October 2024 ads
• Best November 2024 ads
• Best December 2024 ads

Our Favorite Ads From October 2024

First up for Honorable Mentions: Turbo Tax

This one caught our attention because it’s so bad, it’s… good? When an ad is so poorly executed that it sparks a Reddit thread on r/badad, it’s no longer a ‘bad ad’— it’s a conversation starter. This Redditor perfectly captures how we felt about it: 

“I don’t understand, is this poorly photoshopped low-res bald guy with a mustache from 2012 supposed to be giving me confidence that my taxes will be done correctly? Did some autogenerated image algorithm decide this pic gets the most clicks? Was it made using Fiverr for actually $5? Did the marketing person’s nephew make it?” 

Whether it actually led to conversions for TurboTax, we’ll never know. But it did get us laughing!

Our Runner-Up For Best Ad Of October 2024: Aquaphor x Moo Deng

This ad is our October runner-up because it ingeniously connects their brand to a viral meme as well as an online skincare trend. By featuring the internet’s favorite hippo, Moo Deng, and associating her with the ‘slugging’ skincare trend (applying a thick layer of moisturizer to lock in hydration), Aquaphor taps into the relatable, cute factor that resonates on social media — all while reinforcing their product’s effectiveness for deep moisturization. 

Our Winner For Best Ad October 2024: Green Light

We love this ad as marketers because it cleverly arranges popular songs to spell out a funny and relatable sentence, while promoting Green Light, making the message both fun and memorable. It’s a subtle, creative approach that speaks directly to the audience without feeling like an overt sales pitch, which is a win in digital marketing.

Our Favorite Ads From November 2024

Our November Honorable Mention: Vim – Prison Cleaner

This is a throwback from 2005 that we stumbled across online, but had to share. It brilliantly highlights Vim’s unique selling point: it makes cleaning so easy that it “frees” you from spending hours on end cleaning or feeling trapped in a dirty home. By humorously dramatizing the mundane but relatable chore of cleaning as someone being imprisoned, the ad transforms an everyday frustration into a memorable and entertaining story. In the end, Vim saves the day by being a fast and effective cleaning solution.

Our November Runner-Up: Ryanair

Ryanair has built a bold, cheeky brand voice that resonates with younger audiences who love brands with a sense of humor. This ad perfectly reflects that personality by using a meme and a clever caption that’s easy to understand, share, and in turn, go viral. It playfully references the popular trend of traveling to Turkey for hair transplants, using a character with exaggerated baldness as a subtle but hilarious nod — making it feel like an inside joke without directly saying it.

Our Best Ad Of November 2024: Calm’s 30 Seconds of Silence.

What makes this ad so brilliant is its simplicity and disruption. Shown during the high-stress, noisy environment of the presidential debates, it offered viewers exactly what they needed: a moment of silence. It was unexpected and grabbed attention effortlessly. It broke the noise, forcing people to notice and remember the brand while embodying its product in real-time.

Providing instant relief amid the chaos perfectly aligned with Calm’s core promise. The ad brought peace and mindfulness to its viewers, so they could feel the benefits of Calm before even downloading the app.

Our Favorite Ads From December 2024

First up for Honorable Mentions: iOS for Gemini Release

This ad stands out with its minimalist design, using bold, repetitive text to make sure the Gemini app’s release on iOS is impossible to miss. The clean look and simple typography match Google’s modern, polished branding perfectly. Showing a hand passing a bag through a car window adds a creative, relatable touch.

Best Ad December 2024 Runner Up: Curry’s Samsung Laptop

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDRn_M2Mp8F/?igsh=MTA3OGh1MGhxMG9jcQ%3D%3D

This video does a great job of mixing humor with promotion to keep things fun and memorable. It kicks off with a playful back-and-forth of water bottle kicking, which grabs attention right away. 

The interruption by the other Curry’s staff member, and then the sudden shift to highlighting the Samsung laptop’s features, communicates the product message without feeling too forced. The funny ending wraps things up with a clear message: “Head on down to Curry’s now.” It’s entertaining, lighthearted, and gets the point across.

Our Best Ad WINNER For December 2024:

This ad works so well because it pulls you in with a mix of heart and humor. The line, “He’s 6’1″, but he still looks up to me,” is warm, relatable, and highlights the special bond between a parent and child. It feels personal and authentic, and the call to action, “Adopt a teen. You can’t imagine the reward,” is simple yet powerful. Combined with the heartfelt imagery, it’s an ad that not only captures your attention but also leaves a meaningful impression.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed GeistM’s roundup of the best ads from Q4 2024. Be sure to check back next month for a new selection of top ads from 2024!

Written By: Emma McHugh

From touchdowns to Taylor Swift, the Super Bowl is undoubtedly one of the biggest nights in sports.

And with millions of dollars spent on commercials, it’s an opportunity to get as many eyes on powerhouse brands as possible. 

While a Super Bowl ad spot may seem out of reach for many brands, our performance marketing experts have weighed in on their favorite 2024 Super Bowl commercials. They suggest ways your brand can easily incorporate elements from Super Bowl ads into your own marketing strategy.

Breakdown of the Top Super Bowl 2024 Ads

Here’s what some of the GeistM team had to say about Super Bowl ad creativity:

Uber Eats – David And Victoria Beckham Forget 

“This ad is brilliant for several reasons. Firstly, it leverages the viral moments from Beckham’s recent documentary, a crucial element for capturing attention. Secondly, it taps into humor, a powerful emotional connection that encourages sharing and recall. Lastly, it delivers a concise yet impactful message: ‘Whatever You Forget this Sunday. Remember Uber Eats.’ 

Advertisers can emulate this success without massive budgets by capitalizing on viral moments and evoking specific emotions. Understanding the desired user emotion is vital and often overlooked. And finally, employing a straightforward, compelling messaging.”

– Mahima, Strategic Growth Manager

Paramount+ – Patrick Stewart Throws a Hail Arnold 

“This commercial stood out to me because it appeals to such a wide audience. By including stars like Patrick Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and children’s TV characters Peppa Pig and Hey Arnold — anyone watching can relate to at least one of them. Paramount succeeds in mixing all of these references together by utilizing humor to create a lighthearted scene that resonates with millions.”

– Simon, Content & Creative Strategist

Kia – Perfect 10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU7BJc96lI4&feature=youtu.be

“I tend to gravitate towards ads that tell a story and have some emotion in it because I’m a huge softy! Using an emotional approach really resonates with lots of people and makes them feel a deeper connection to the brand. Don’t get me wrong, I loved all the funny ads from this year’s Super Bowl, but this is the one I remember most.”

– Melissa, Head of Creative

Google – Javier in Frame

“Google Pixel’s Javier in Frame is a great example of how you can bring technology to life through emotion. Little do we think of how simple it is to take a photo; while others may not have that luxury. 

Google puts life into perspective by telling us Javier’s story and showing us how he uses Google AI to take proper photographs on his own despite having vision impairment. It perfectly exhibits the product while tugging at our heartstrings, something every company should take note of.”

– Jai, Content Strategist 

Hot Tip: Read Jai’s deep dive on the Super Bowl 58 commercials over on Popdust

State Farm – TikTok Campaign ft. khaby.lame

@khaby.lame

Win a chance to be in a TikTok with me! All you have to do is 1) guess how many times “State Farm Stadium” could be mentioned during the Big Game in the comments below and 2) follow @jakefromstatefarm to find out who wins! #statefarmstadiumchallenge Rules: st8.fm/bgrules #Ad

? original sound – Khabane lame

“This may be cheating, but I want to call back to State Farms Super Bowl play from last year. With 30-second TV spots costing upwards of $7 million, one surefire way to ensure that your message isn’t drowned out is to skip TV entirely. 

State Farm did exactly this, opting out of a traditional linear spot for a TikTok campaign with creator Khaby Lame. With the ad mocking the over-the-top nature of Super Bowl ads, it was a perfect pairing with the influencer who’s famous for reacting to overly complicated ‘life hack’ videos.

While this is a great example of the need for brands to thoughtfully align messaging with partner creators, more interestingly it takes advantage of the growing trend of second-screen viewing. Over 70% of Gen Z and Millennials report using their phones while watching TV, and while linear TV is a one-sided interaction, social media channels like TikTok make it far easier for users to follow a Call To Action.

Engagement is more beneficial for brands than mere eyeballs. So not only was this a wildly cost-effective campaign, it contains more measurable elements to inform future strategy.”

– Daniel, Strategic Growth Manager

7 Key Takeaways for Adapting Super Bowl Ad Strategies

Here are the key takeaways based on the analysis from the GeistM Team:

• 1. Creativity Inspired by Virality: The Uber Eats ad demonstrates the power of tapping into current trends and viral moments. Boost your ad’s relevance and shareability by aligning content with popular culture, ensuring it resonates with a broad audience.
• 2. Humor as a Universal Language: Both Uber Eats and Paramount+ highlight how humor can be used to create an engaging and memorable experience. Humor fosters an emotional connection with the audience, making their ad more likely to be remembered and shared.
• 3. Inclusive Casting and References: Paramount+’s approach of including a diverse range of characters and celebrities illustrates the importance of appealing to various demographics. By creating content that multiple audience segments can relate to, businesses can maximize their ads’ appeal and reach.
• 4. Emotional Storytelling: Kia and Google emphasize the impact of storytelling within their ads by forming a deeper connection with viewers. Emotional storytelling can make your brand more relatable and memorable, encouraging viewers to form a personal connection with your product or service.
• 5. Product as a Solution: Google’s ad showcases their product’s utility in a real-life situation, highlighting how it can make a significant difference in someone’s life. Demonstrating your product or service as a solution to a relatable problem can help illustrate its value and relevance.
• 6. Beyond Traditional Media: State Farm’s TikTok truly innovative campaign illustrates the effectiveness of choosing the right platform and format. Second-screen viewing is trending (especially among younger audiences). So, reaching potential customers on social media can lead to higher engagement and more measurable outcomes than traditional TV spots.
• 7. Strategic Partnerships: The choice of Khaby Lame for State Farm’s campaign underscores the importance of aligning your brand with partners who resonate with your target audience. This alignment ensures that the messaging feels authentic and engages viewers in a meaningful way.

Take Your Ads to The Next Level, Super Bowl Style

In a world where attention is the ultimate currency, drawing inspiration from Super Bowl ads can help your brand score big with its target audience.

You don’t need a multi-million dollar budget to make a great ad, but you do need a great strategy to boost your brand.

Don’t let your brand get lost in the noise. Contact GeistM today to explore how we can elevate your advertising strategy and help your business reach your ideal target audience. Together, we can create campaigns that not only stand out but also drive meaningful results.

Let’s make your next ad campaign the winning touchdown.

Written by: Shannon Purcell