Okta | “That’s My IT Guy.”

Okta’s ad spins the usually invisible world of IT into the spotlight—with a twist of spy drama. When a cyberattack threatens a company, one employee proudly proclaims, “That’s my IT guy!” as their identity security expert pulls off the ultimate digital rescue. It’s sleek, dramatic, and glorifies the unsung heroes of the digital age.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

IT Heroics = Underdog Energy
IT professionals are usually behind the scenes, but Okta flips the script—turning them into James Bond-esque saviors.
Lesson: Recast your product users as the hero. When your customer feels powerful, your brand wins.

High Stakes = High Engagement
The ad mimics an action-thriller format, complete with tense music, dramatic glances, and a cyber threat in progress. This cinematic approach keeps viewers hooked.
Lesson: Borrow from Hollywood. Raising the stakes—even for “boring” B2B topics—makes your message feel epic.

Clear Product Tie-In = Memorable Value
While the visuals are big, the takeaway is tight: Okta helps secure your company’s identity, keeping threats out and your systems running.
Lesson: No matter how fun the execution, make sure the product’s core value is unmistakably clear.

Single Punchline = Lasting Impression
The recurring phrase “That’s my IT guy” serves as both a punchline and a rallying cry. It brings personality and recall to a technical offering.
Lesson: One strong line can carry an entire campaign if it hits the emotional and brand sweet spot.

Humor Breakdown:

The humor is in the overdramatization—turning IT work into espionage and thrilling standoffs. It’s knowingly absurd in the best way, giving IT folks the glory they rarely get and making security software feel, dare we say, badass.

Final Verdict:

Okta nails the art of making cybersecurity not just understandable, but cool. By leaning into cinematic tropes and giving IT staff their hero moment, the brand positions itself as both essential and aspirational for companies serious about security.

BRAVE-o-meter Score:
B-7 | R-8 | A-8 | V-8 | E-8
BRAVE – 7.8/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Okta.com
LinkedIn: Okta

(See what BRAVE means in our collection)

Understanding the B.R.A.V.E. Scoring System

The B.R.A.V.E. scoring system uses AI to deliver an unbiased evaluation of top-of-the-funnel B2B brand ads. It measures potential impact, memorability, and effectiveness by assessing five key components of a video ad or commercial. This system gauges an ad's capacity to drive brand recall and enhance salience, ensuring that creative work not only captures attention but also leaves a lasting impression.

What B.R.A.V.E. Stands For:

Each letter represents a key factor in determining an ad’s success:

  • BBoldness: Is the ad original, creative, or daring? Does it break away from generic B2B marketing, or is it just another forgettable corporate video?
  • RRelevance: Does it connect with a real buyer pain point? Is it addressing a specific frustration or need, or just listing product features?
  • AAttention: Does it grab and hold attention in the first few seconds? Is it visually or tonally engaging, or easy to skip?
  • VVibe: Does it create an emotional response—laughter, recognition, or surprise? Or does it feel like just another corporate info dump?
  • EEffectiveness: Will buyers remember the brand when they need a solution? Does the ad make an impact that lasts beyond the moment?

How It’s Applied to B2B Video Rating

Each video is scored 1 to 10 in all five categories, based on how well it meets the criteria. The total score (out of 50) is then divided by 5 to give a final B.R.A.V.E. score out of 10.

For example:

  • An ad scoring B-8 | R-9 | A-7 | V-6 | E-8 has a total of 38/50.
  • The final B.R.A.V.E. score is 7.6/10.

Why It Matters

B2B ads often struggle with being bland, forgettable, or ineffective. The B.R.A.V.E. system ensures they are judged by their ability to break through, connect with buyers, and drive action.

Simply put: If your ad isn’t B.R.A.V.E., it’s invisible.

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