Hootsuite | A Glimpse into the Future

Inside a neon-lit arcade, a woman approaches a vintage fortune-teller machine starring Owly, Hootsuite’s mascot. She asks: “Show me the future of social media.”

The machine sparks to life, transporting us into a retro 80s-inspired digital world. Tarot-like cards flip forward, each labeled “Owly Says,” revealing Hootsuite’s key social media predictions for the year ahead.

The ad closes back in the arcade, where the machine dispenses a physical prophecy card with a simple message: “See the future.”

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget)

Painful truth = Predicting social media feels like a gamble
Marketers struggle with uncertainty. Without reliable insights, planning feels like chance—just like dropping a coin in a fortune-teller machine.
Lesson: Frame uncertainty as a relatable, high-stakes quest for answers.

Central metaphor = Trend report as fortune-telling
Instead of a dull PDF or webinar, Hootsuite reimagines its trends report as a magical, all-knowing oracle. Abstract insights become an immersive experience.
Lesson: Make your data tangible, visual, and entertaining.

Single punchline = “See the future.”
The tagline is direct and confident, answering the marketer’s biggest fear: What’s next?
Lesson: Deliver your promise as a bold, simple statement.

Humor Breakdown

The humor is nostalgic and playful rather than laugh-out-loud. The ad blends a modern business challenge—planning social strategy—with the quirky charm of an arcade fortune-teller machine. Synthwave music, neon lights, and Tron-like visuals parody retro futurism, making the entire experience self-aware and fun. The comedy lies in the contrast: turning a dry trend report into something magical, theatrical, and oddly cool.

Final Verdict

Hootsuite elevates its annual trends report into a cinematic brand moment. By casting Owly as a mystical oracle, the ad transforms what could have been bland content into an engaging, memorable experience. It’s stylish, clever, and perfectly positions Hootsuite as the guide marketers can trust to navigate an uncertain future.

BRAVE-o-meter Score

B-8 | R-9 | A-8 | V-8 | E-9

BRAVE – 8.4/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Hootsuite Official Site
LinkedIn: Hootsuite 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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