Workday pulls off the ultimate corporate culture clash by enlisting real rock legends—Paul Stanley, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Billy Idol, and Gary Clark Jr.—to call out the business world for overusing the term “rock star.” The ad playfully scolds office professionals for casually throwing around a title that, according to these icons, should be reserved for those who’ve actually shredded on stage.
The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):
Star Power = Instant Credibility – If you want to reclaim the term “rock star,” who better to do it than actual rock stars?
→ Lesson: Leverage authoritative figures in a playful way to add weight to your message.
Calling Out a Common Workplace Habit = Mass Relatability – Every office has a “spreadsheet rock star,” and we all know it’s a stretch.
→ Lesson: Tapping into universal workplace quirks makes an ad resonate widely.
Product Placement That Feels Organic – Workday is subtly introduced as the real game-changer for businesses, making employees feel like rock stars.
→ Lesson: Integrate your brand into the humor without making it feel forced.
Humor Breakdown:
Irony & Role Reversal – Rock legends playing corporate culture police is inherently funny.
Exaggeration – The stars take office jargon way too seriously, amplifying the joke.
Deadpan Delivery – The rockers’ stern, almost offended reactions make the humor land even harder.
Final Verdict:
Workday turns a workplace cliché into a hilarious, star-studded critique that both entertains and subtly reinforces its value in the business world. It’s a perfect blend of humor, celebrity appeal, and brand messaging.
Brave-o-meter score:
B-9 | R-7 | A-10 | V-9 | E-9
BRAVE – 9/10
Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Workday
LinkedIn: Workday LinkedIn Page
