HP | According to Steve

Two office workers complain about running out of printer ink, calling it a problem that “really, really stinks.” One of them, Steve, introduces HP Instant Ink. A rap-style voiceover kicks in, listing benefits like fast ink delivery, saving up to 50%, and equal pricing for black, white, or color ink. The ad uses quick cuts to show how their lives improve. With no more printer interruptions, they have time to juggle, slice butter, drink martinis, and use hand sanitizer—carefree and stress-free thanks to Steve (and HP).

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget)

Common Pain Point = Running out of printer ink

The ad focuses on a small but familiar frustration—printer ink running out when you need it most.
Lesson: Choose a specific, everyday office pain and offer a clear fix.

Unexpected Delivery = Rap-style narration in an office

Instead of a typical explainer, the ad uses a playful, rhyming script. The rap lists product benefits in a fun, engaging way.
Lesson: Use creative formats to deliver key messages in a memorable way.

Simple, Sticky Message = “#NeverRunOut”

The tagline says it all. HP Instant Ink makes sure you never run out of ink again.
Lesson: Distill your value proposition into a short, powerful phrase.

Humor Breakdown

The humor is low-key and awkward in a good way. Office workers suddenly start rapping and doing quirky things like juggling apples or rubbing hand sanitizer in sync with the beat. The deadpan delivery adds to the charm.
Lesson: Light, self-aware humor can make even a practical solution feel fun and memorable.

Final Verdict

This HP ad is simple, catchy, and relatable. It takes a boring office problem—running out of ink—and turns it into a reason to smile. The rap narration makes it stand out, and the visuals reinforce the product’s benefit: no more stress, no more interruptions, and no more ink surprises. It’s an effective way to show how HP Instant Ink saves time, cuts costs, and brings peace of mind to office life.

BRAVE-o-meter Score:
B-6 | R-8 | A-7 | V-6 | E-7
BRAVE – 6.8/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: hp.com
LinkedIn: HP on LinkedIn

(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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