Creative advertising: Dare to be different

This article establishes the case for creating different advertising to the category standard in order to capture attention and build stand-out brands.

Creative advertising: Dare to be different

Alex Hernandez-Brun with Dorothy FitchMillward Brown, Norwalk CT

Being different is scary. In marketing, trying something different is really scary. Nobody wants to be the marketer that messes up a multimillion-dollar brand. It's easier to play it safe, relying on what has worked before or for others. That must be why I've often heard from clients that there is a certain way to advertise in their category—for example, TV ads for men's razors must start with a 10-second story, continue with a 15-second product demo, and end with a 5-second joke. "This is...

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