John Malkovich sits in a tailoring workshop, trying to buy the domain “JohnMalkovich.com” for his fashion line. He’s shocked to find it’s already taken. A coworker confirms the bad news. He discovers the domain is being used for an “ULTIMATE Fishing Site,” complete with someone else proudly holding a large fish. Frustrated, he wonders aloud how anyone else can be John Malkovich—especially when there’s a whole film about being him. He angrily types an email. The ad ends with the line:
“GET YOUR DOMAIN BEFORE IT’S GONE.”
The Formula (That Works at Any Budget)
Painful truth = Your domain might already be taken
The ad opens with a relatable fear: you wait too long, and your perfect domain is gone. Even a celebrity can lose his name online.
→ Lesson: Tap into a universal frustration your audience already feels.
Relatable problem = You can’t own your own identity
The ad exaggerates a common issue through a high-profile example. If John Malkovich can’t get JohnMalkovich.com, no one is safe.
→ Lesson: Dramatize your audience’s problem with a surprising, memorable character.
Clear call to action = “Get Your Domain Before It’s Gone”
No fluff. No features. Just a direct, urgent message to act now—before your name is taken too.
→ Lesson: Don’t overcomplicate your CTA. Tie it tightly to the setup and pain point.
Humor Breakdown
The humor is dry, visual, and rooted in absurdity.
Watching a serious actor like Malkovich lose his name to a fishing site is both ridiculous and oddly believable. His controlled rage and deadpan delivery make the scenario even funnier.
It’s surreal, but not random—it serves the message.
→ Lesson: Use irony and unexpected juxtapositions to make boring business problems unforgettable.
Final Verdict
Squarespace nails it with a simple, cinematic spot. It avoids technical talk and focuses on the emotional truth: losing your domain sucks.
By using Malkovich, the ad becomes instantly watchable. By showing him lose his identity online, it makes the threat—and the urgency—real. The message is clear: act now, or someone else will become you online.
Brave-o-meter Score:
B-8 | R-9 | A-9 | V-8 | E-8
BRAVE – 8.4/10
Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: squarespace.com
LinkedIn: Squarespace on LinkedIn
