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About this sample
About this sample
Words: 918 |
Pages: 2|
5 min read
Updated: 3 February, 2025
Words: 918|Pages: 2|5 min read
Updated: 3 February, 2025
Let’s face it—advertisements are everywhere. From the moment we wake up and check our phones to the billboards we pass on our way to work, we are constantly bombarded with messages trying to sell us something. But what makes some ads stick in our minds while others just fade into the background? Great advertising isn’t just about showing a product—it’s about creating an emotional connection.
To explore this, I analyzed two advertisements that have always fascinated me: a Nike print ad and a Coca-Cola TV commercial. These two brands take completely different approaches, yet both succeed in resonating with their audiences in powerful ways.
Think about the last time an advertisement actually made you feel something. Maybe it inspired you, made you smile, or gave you a sudden craving for a cold drink. That’s not an accident. Companies spend millions crafting ads that tap into human emotions, and Nike and Coca-Cola have perfected this art in very different ways.
Before diving into specifics, I focused on key elements that determine an ad’s impact:
With these elements in mind, let’s see how Nike and Coca-Cola create lasting impressions in their advertising.
Despite targeting different emotions, both brands aim to create a deep connection with their audience. The table below summarizes their advertising strategies:
Element | Nike Print Ad | Coca-Cola TV Commercial |
---|---|---|
Main Message | "You've got this" | "Life is better together" |
Look & Feel | Sharp, powerful, intense | Warm, friendly, inviting |
Target Audience | Active individuals seeking motivation | Everyone who values shared moments |
Emotional Hook | Personal achievement, determination | Joy, nostalgia, and togetherness |
What Stands Out? | Raw energy and power | Natural, relatable moments |
Cultural Impact | Pushes empowerment and resilience | Strengthens social bonds and traditions |
The Nike ad I analyzed is bold, raw, and full of energy. It features a female athlete in motion, caught mid-stride, her muscles visibly engaged. The lighting is dramatic, creating deep shadows that emphasize strength and perseverance.
Nike’s brilliance is in making the viewer feel like they, too, could be that athlete. The image doesn’t just sell shoes—it sells self-belief.
The slogan “Just Do It” is almost unnecessary at this point. It’s more than a tagline—it’s a philosophy. The ad doesn’t focus on the product itself but on what the product enables you to achieve. The emotional pull is personal ambition—it speaks to the individual who wants to push their limits.
Another thing that stands out is the simplicity. There are no distractions—just an athlete and a powerful message. Nike understands that less is more, and by keeping the design minimal, the impact is even greater.
Switching gears completely, Coca-Cola’s TV commercial takes an entirely different approach. Instead of focusing on a single individual, it paints a picture of togetherness and nostalgia.
The ad feels like flipping through a family photo album—except the photos are alive. There are friends laughing over drinks, families gathered around a barbecue, strangers bonding over a shared moment. And in every scene, a Coca-Cola bottle is present, subtly tying everything together.
The genius of this commercial is that it doesn’t feel like an ad—it feels like a memory you already have, or one you wish you could relive.
The color red dominates, reinforcing the warmth and happiness Coca-Cola wants to be associated with. The music choice is another key element—it builds emotional momentum, making the entire experience feel effortless and nostalgic.
This ad succeeds because it doesn’t just sell soda—it sells moments of happiness. It makes Coca-Cola feel like a companion to life’s best experiences rather than just another product on a shelf.
Both Nike and Coca-Cola are masters of emotional advertising, but they take opposite routes to achieve their goal.
✅ Inspires individual motivation and ambition
✅ Uses minimalism and strong visuals to create power
✅ Appeals to personal challenges and self-improvement
✅ Evokes warmth, nostalgia, and social connection
✅ Uses storytelling and natural moments to feel authentic
✅ Associates the brand with happiness and togetherness
Both brands recognize that people don’t just buy products—they buy feelings, experiences, and aspirations.
The real success of both ads is that they don’t feel like traditional advertisements.
By focusing on emotion instead of just selling a product, both brands create advertising that resonates deeply.
Analyzing these two ads has made one thing clear: the best advertising isn’t about selling—it’s about storytelling.
Both brands succeed because they tap into real human emotions:
✔ Nike fuels our drive for self-improvement.
✔ Coca-Cola reinforces our love for shared experiences.
As advertising continues to evolve, brands that understand human nature—our desires, struggles, and joys—will always come out on top.
Whether you’re creating ads or simply analyzing them, remember this: the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels like something real.
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