😂 Surreal | *Dwayne Johnson's Favorite Cereal

Hey marketers and copywriters 😃 

Who doesn’t love cereal?

Also, hijacking a celebrity endorsement may be a gray area, but it’s definitely brilliant.

Here’s what cereal startup Surreal did.

Bait and Switch

This ad kicks off with a bang – “WE’RE DWAYNE JOHNSON’S FAVORITE CEREAL” – a blockbuster claim that instantly grabs your attention.

You’re thinking, “Whoa, The Rock himself?!”

But wait, there's an asterisk.

Anytime there’s an asterisk, you know you’re in for a twist.

The Reveal

Then you read the fine print at the bottom, which hilariously deflates the initial hype with a quick honesty bomb – “Dwayne is a bus driver from London.” 

Ah, there it is! Just when you thought you’d stumbled upon an epic celebrity endorsement, you find out it’s a different Dwayne Johnson.

Classic bait and switch maneuver, beautifully done!

Play on Expectations

The humor here lies in the playing with your expectations.

The first part of the statement sets you up for what you think is a massive celebrity endorsement. The twist reveals a very ordinary, albeit charmingly relatable reality – a bus driver named Dwayne Johnson.

The juxtaposition between The Rock and an everyday guy named Dwayne Johnson is where the humor strikes gold.

Clever Authenticity

By subverting your expectations, the ad cleverly directs your interest to Surreal cereal's authenticity.

It's like saying, "We might not have Hollywood’s superstar, but we've got Dwayne, the bus driver, who's just as cool in his own right."

Witty Connection

The ad manages to connect with audiences using humor, winking at the absurdity of typical over-the-top claims.

It’s disarmingly honest while still making you chuckle, ensuring that you'll remember the brand – and maybe even look it up just for the laugh.

Wrap-Up

In a nutshell, this ad is funny because it’s a cheeky play on a celebrity endorsement with a delightful twist.

It turns an ordinary endorsement into a memorable joke, using humor to make a lasting impression and win over viewers with a smile.

Thanks for reading and I hope this gives you a laugh to end the week (or start your weekend 😉 )

✌️,

Tom at Funny Ads Club