DHL | License to Deliver

DHL leans into full-action movie parody territory in this high-octane, tongue-in-cheek spot that turns an everyday delivery driver into a globe-trotting secret agent. With slick production, explosive stunts, and an unmistakable James Bond flair, this ad positions DHL as the ultimate logistics partner—capable, reliable, and faster than the competition.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

Action Movie Spoof = Instant Engagement
The ad borrows heavily from spy movie tropes—dramatic narration, exotic locations, car chases—to hook viewers and entertain from the first second.
Lesson: Borrowing from recognizable genres or formats can create instant appeal—even for “boring” industries.

Everyday Hero Framing = Customer Empathy
Instead of glorifying DHL as the hero, the ad makes the driver the star. This grounds the brand in the human effort behind every delivery.
Lesson: Make your team or customers the hero to deepen emotional connection and brand relatability.

Global Scale = Brand Authority
The locations span multiple countries, highlighting DHL’s global presence and logistical might—without needing to say much.
Lesson: Show your scale through storytelling, not just statistics.

Subtle Product Placement = Classy Execution
There’s barely any on-screen mention of services or features. The product is the story—moving fast, crossing borders, and delivering results.
Lesson: Let your brand’s value be shown through action, not description.

Humor Breakdown:

The ad doesn’t go for laugh-out-loud jokes, but it plays with over-the-top spy tropes in a fun, self-aware way. Everything from the dramatic voiceover to the driver’s cool demeanor has a wink to the audience. It’s parody done with polish.

Final Verdict:

DHL proves that even logistics can feel cinematic. By reimagining a delivery as a secret mission, they elevate the role of their people and the reliability of their brand. It’s entertaining, sharp, and communicates scale without ever needing a slideshow.

BRAVE-o-meter Score:

B-8 | R-8 | A-9 | V-8 | E-7
BRAVE – 8.0/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: DHL
LinkedIn: DHL

(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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