How brands use humour to drive sales and expand reach

laughing girl and boy

Involving humour in marketing and advertising is a technique that has been tried and tested by many brands. The reality remains that many people love to laugh, and seeing ads that give us giggles brightens our moods. Advertisements that tap into what makes consumers laugh can create a more meaningful relationship between the brand and its audience. Many brands use a variety of marketing strategies to create unforgettable customer experiences. The use of humour to sell products has been a driving force for many brands. However, some brands fail at this attempt.

Here is a look at some campaigns that have successfully leveraged humour to create a lasting impression.

CHICKEN LICKIN #Soulbites Nuggets of Wisdom

Chicken Licken Nuggets of wisdom ad
Image: The Citizen

Chicken Licken is one of the most famous brands that put a smile on people’s faces . In a recent commercial, Chicken Licken launched an ad campaign featuring a new product – Soul Bite chicken nuggets with the theme ,”Nugget of Wisdom”.

This campaign featured some famous South African characters to bring the campaign to life and add a twist. Some of the characters include the famous artist Lebane ‘Rasta’ Sirenje. In this commercial, the policeman is looking to hire Rasta as a sketch artist. If you are familiar with Rasta’s work, you probably know what the outcomes of his work will be. Rasta is known for his drawings that do not depict his muse.

SAVANNA #Twirrashadeproject

Savannah twitter shade campaign
Image: Eminetra

Savanna Premium Cider is back with another exciting campaign called #Twirrashadeproject. The project turns the countries funniest shade thrown on Twitter into real shade with custom benches and murals to provide shade. It is one of the coolest campaigns given the impact of rising temperatures. Those interested in getting a glimpse of the shade can do so at one of these spots: Melrose Arch and Newtown Junction in Johannesburg. The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

NANDO’S #Scamandla

Nandos AD
Image: The Citizen

Nando’s is one of those brands known for hilarious campaigns that make you roll with laughter. The brand always leverages on the country’s current events and trends. Do you remember the Scamandla ad from 2021?. In that TV commercial, Nando’s was launching a new meal at an affordable price which you might consider a scam.

This advert (like all of them) was expected to prick the balloon of the current status quo. The emphasis on the low price was made with a voiceover saying: “It’s a timely reminder that we can’t afford to fall for anything that will lighten our pockets. But we can get the new Nando’s Prego and Chips for R49. Not a scam, just nje”. This campaign was bold, clever, funny, and addressed current affairs that are affecting the South African economy.

NETFLORIST

Netflorist billboard
Image: Reddit

Netflorist is also another perfect example of using humor in marketing and advertising. The brand is primarily known for its creative play of words that leave a lasting impression on the audience. Their focus is on radio and Out-Of-Home (OOH) campaigns that make those commutes a little bit lighter.

People not only remember things that make them laugh, but they also tend to share them with others. When a brand creates a marketing campaign that makes people laugh, it has a great chance of expanding its reach.

The uninvited guest

empty shelves - uninvited guest

The year 2020 is definitely a symbolic year, not only because it’s the 20th year of the 3rd millennium, a leap year and the beginning of a new decade, but also because it is a disruptive year. It’s April 2020 and the year is still making sure that we are alert to the change it promised, woke to the beginning of a new era and transformation – be as it may. It is by far one of the most eventful years for millennials who are the working force, consumers, and business owners.

The sheer jubilation the nation felt when ushering the new year has turned into either panic, fervour, anxiety or profit depending on the side of the equilibrium one finds favourable during this period of the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic. The Coronavirus came in like a thief in the night and as a result forced many to transform into something better or change into something new altogether. The shift in consumer behaviour, the way business needs to now operate and the unstable economy has had a great impact on big and small brands.

There are select brands that have tailored their products and services to ensure consumer participation and are effectively gaining new customers or retaining loyal customers, such as the likes of:

Pick n Pay

A select number of Pick n Pay franchise stores are offering a drive-thru service to their customers in Gauteng, Free State, the Western Cape, Limpopo, Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga North West and Eastern Cape during the lock-down.

Pick n Pay drive through
Pick n Pay collect direct

Netflorist

NetFlorist, The e-tailer is now offering delivery of fresh fruit and vegetables select areas in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Durban. This offering helps consumers shop for fresh produce from the safety of their own homes.

Netflorist fresh produce
Netflorist fresh produce ad

A portion of consumers in South Africa changed their spending habits rapidly and their choices of products and services as well as brands they support are influenced by whether or not their investment, will help alleviate the spread of the virus or sustain a certain lifestyle for the duration of this Coronavirus pandemic.

The business environment understands that its people are what makes the brand (from its employees to its consumers as well as suppliers), and that is why most businesses widely encourage a healthy working environment as well as the health and safety of all stakeholders.

We already know that many businesses have prioritized their stakeholders’ health and safety and the below are those amongst many that are making sure that this global crisis brings the best out of the its brand.

  • Clicks, is offering free flu vaccinations for all their store staff to help build their immunity.
  • Unilever, has put global measures in place for all their people, adhering to the announcement made by the World Health Organization.

The South African brand has an uninvited guest that will affect the already fragile economy and all proudly South African brands, as well as international brands making a profit from consumers in the country, have a big role to play in ensuring that we all come out stronger and better prepared for the next transformative life events or should I say, an uninvited guest.

You can now buy your fresh produce from NetFlorist

NetFlorist vegies

South Africa’s largest flower and gifting service has teamed up with the country’s leading B2B fresh foods wholesaler and distributor, Fruitspot to bring consumers safe and timeous delivery of fresh produce. As of March 23, 2020, consumers can order fruits and vegetables from NetFlorist and get them delivered to select areas in Johannesburg North and Pretoria the next day.

A futuristic approach for delivering products straight to a person’s doorstep in the safest way possible is on the rise as Covid-19 disrupts every industry. Retailers are adjusting shopping hours, prioritising the elderly, immune-compromised, pregnant women and the disabled.

“Our business is built around sameday delivery and we grow by over 1000% over Valentine’s Day. We’re using that ability to scale up to make these necessities available to our customers over this important time,” said Ryan Bacher, Managing Director of NetFlorist. “It was perfect for us because we investigated delivering fresh produce to our customers 3 years ago and our warehouse and vehicles are already cooled to preserve the cold chain of our flowers and gifts,” added Bacher.

With the world practising accelerated hygiene, safety and social distancing, NetFlorist has increased health practices conducive to maintaining the necessary conditions and health measures that will ensure cleanliness when dealing with the delivery of food products as well as all NetFlorist flowers and gifts. “Our teams are sanitising regularly and we’ve already initiated non-contact deliveries. We’ve been delighting our customers with flowers and gifts for 20 years (and will continue to do so), now it’s time to feed them as well,” said Ryan Bacher.

The Presidential Address regarding Covid-19 reminded South Africa that every person living in the country has a role to play in ensuring we flatten the curve. The health of the nation is only achievable by the preventable measures said nation takes. NetFlorist is a proudly South African ecommerce business responding to this call.

Order seasonal fruit and vegetables from NetFlorist and enjoy shopping for your nutritional essentials from the safety of your own home today.

#WinWithPat – 1 of 2 NetFlorist Hampers valued at R500

NetFlorist Hamper

2019 has been a challenging and yet exciting year. Through it all, you continued to show support to various Pat on Brands initiatives. You showed up to the hikes, you laced up for #RunWithPat and engaged in the Pat on Brands Dialogues. For that, we would like to say we appreciate you and may you continue to support in 2020.

NetFlorist Happy Holidays

To show our appreciation, Pat on Brands has partnered with NetFlorist to do something NICE for the Pat on Brands supporters. We are giving away 2 awesome NetFlorist hampers valued at R500 each to 2 lucky Pat on Brands supporters in the next two weeks (1 winner per week).

Winning is easy. All you have to do is share a nice festive message or quote with a friend, tag the friend and use the hashtags #JustBeNice #WinWithPat, then tag @netflorist and @PatOnBrands on Twitter and/or Instagram in the post. The nicest message with the most likes for the week will win.

Terms and Conditions

This competition is only open to South African citizens. The hamper is unique from the hampers on-site and is not sold on-site, but has a bit of everything consumers can find on the NetFlorist website.

House of BNG now available at Netflorist

House of BNG available at Netflorist

The new season brings with it some exciting news. Two of the biggest South African brands (House of BNG and Netflorist) partnered to bring the spirit of vibrancy and luxury to any occasion.

House of BNG was founded by Bonang Mateba as a passion project. The brand has since grown to be a symbol of success and celebration. House of BNG comes in two variations -Brut and Brut Rosé Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs).

While ordering flowers and Spring gifts from Netflorist, you can now also add House of BNG gift hampers to your basket.

Personalised House of BNG Brut Rose Crate  

Surprise and delight Brut and Brut Rosé Méthode Cap Classiques (MCCs) lovers with beautifully personalised gifts from the House of BNG starting from today. The personalised House of BNG Brut Rose Crate  will surely bring cheerful memories and colourful conversations.

Personalised House of BNG Brut Rose Crate
Personalised House of BNG Crate

Personalised House of BNG Duo Crate

You can also be twice as nice by gifting someone with the Personalised House of BNG Duo Crate matching elegance, fabulous style, luxury with amazing personality.

Personalised House of BNG Duo Crate
Personalised House of BNG Duo Crate

Spring will surely be lit this year. Visit Netflorist for more Spring gift ideas.

How to keep your office organised

12 March is Organise Your Home Office Day and I would like to share some tips on how to organise your office.

Having a disorganised office can affect your relationships with your boss and colleagues. Think about instances where you keep your boss waiting for you because you can’t locate an important document or you are always running late for meetings or you miss important deadlines. This leaves a bad impression about you because you become this unreliable person in the office work.

Being disorganised can also affect your health. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin reported that people with cluttered homes full of unfinished projects were more depressed, fatigued, and had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol than those who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” According to Bustle organised leads to reduced stress and improved health.

Below are some of the tips on how you can stay organised:

1. Keep your desk clean

The biggest clutter is usually found on people’s desks, therefore it is important to get rid of any papers that can be recycled or shredded. If a document contains confidential information, be sure to go the route of shredding, rather than recycling. For all other papers that you feel are important to keep, create a filing system and label items. Sort things out by client/customer, by project, alphabetically, by date, or whatever makes the most sense for you.  Put everything away the moment you finish with it.

2. Have a to-do List

Having a to-do list helps with prioritizing tasks. Always start with the important ones first. Furthermore when you have tasks written down it is easier to remember and to tackle them. There are various tools that one can use to plan their days, weeks or months. You can buy personalised desk sets from places like NetFlorist.

Personalised desk sets from Netflorist

3. Colour coding

If you are a visual person, you may find that colour-coding various lists and calendars very useful. It might take a while to set up but in the end, it minimizes the time you have to spend looking at them. By taking a glance look at your calendar you get a very clear idea of what kind of week you are going to have.

4. Close proximity

Position the equipment and supplies that you use most within reach. Things that you rarely use can be stored or put away.

5. Use caddies and trays

Office supply stores and chain retailers have all kinds of plastic trays and caddies, including those that are designed to fit perfectly into a desk drawer. Use them to get your office supplies organised. Now all those loose pens, paper clips, and thumbtacks have a place to go, and when you want one, you’ll be able to find it.