DHL | Studio to Atelier, grow your business with DHL.

DHL’s “Studio to Atelier” ad takes viewers on a journey of a business owner growing from a small studio operation into a thriving global enterprise. The ad emphasizes how DHL supports this transformation by offering streamlined logistics solutions that allow businesses to expand and thrive, no matter where they are in the world. It’s a powerful, aspirational story that speaks directly to small business owners looking to scale their operations.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

Inspirational Journey = Immediate Engagement – The ad follows the entrepreneurial path from humble beginnings to success, showcasing the power of logistics in business growth. → Lesson: Use an inspiring narrative to show how your product or service empowers users to achieve their goals.

Clear Solution = Convincing Message – DHL is presented not just as a delivery service, but as an essential partner in the business expansion process. → Lesson: Position your brand as an indispensable tool for success, showing its role in achieving the customer’s ultimate goal.

Global Reach = Aspirational Appeal – The ad reinforces DHL’s global capabilities, appealing to business owners with international ambitions. → Lesson: Highlight your product’s unique selling point, like international coverage, to make your offer more enticing.

Visually Stunning = Memorable Impact – The ad uses beautiful cinematography, showing the growth of the business with smooth transitions between the studio and larger scale operations. → Lesson: Use strong visuals to tell the story and create an emotional connection with your audience.

Humor Breakdown:

Subtle Humor – The ad doesn’t rely on slapstick comedy, but rather light, witty moments in the form of clever visuals and a charming narrative that engages the audience in a feel-good way. Gentle Playfulness – The humor is embedded within the portrayal of the business journey itself, making the ad both entertaining and relatable to viewers who appreciate the lighter side of growing a business. Light-hearted & Encouraging Tone – The humor never undermines the brand’s professionalism but adds an approachable feel to the otherwise serious message of business growth.

Final Verdict:

DHL’s “Studio to Atelier” ad does an excellent job of inspiring and engaging its audience. It successfully conveys the message that DHL isn’t just a logistics company, but a growth partner that can help take businesses from small startups to international powerhouses. The ad is visually appealing, aspirational, and subtly humorous, making it a strong piece of brand storytelling.

Brave-o-meter score: 

B-7 | R-9 | A-8 | V-8 | E-9

BRAVE – 8.2/10

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

(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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