Intuit QuickBooks | For the Hero Behind the Heroes

QuickBooks shifts the spotlight to small business owners—the real heroes behind the scenes. This heartfelt ad balances humor and admiration, celebrating the everyday struggles and victories of entrepreneurs while positioning QuickBooks as the financial sidekick that keeps them moving forward.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

Relatable Pain Points = Instant Connection – From cash flow headaches to tax-time chaos, the ad nails the universal struggles of running a business.
→ Lesson: Show your audience you understand their pain before presenting your solution.

Emotional Resonance = Lasting Impact – By highlighting the hard work and dedication of small business owners, the ad builds a deeper emotional connection.
→ Lesson: Tap into your audience’s passion to make your message stick.

Clear Value Prop = Effortless Buy-in – The ad makes it obvious: QuickBooks is here to handle the numbers, so business owners can focus on what they do best.
→ Lesson: Position your product as the essential, stress-free solution.

Humor Breakdown:

The humor in this ad comes from exaggerated business owner struggles, like drowning in receipts, scrambling to meet deadlines, and dealing with unexpected hurdles. The lighthearted, self-aware tone ensures the message stays fun while reinforcing the idea that QuickBooks is the stress-relief button every entrepreneur needs.

Final Verdict:

QuickBooks delivers a charming, feel-good tribute to small business owners, mixing humor and inspiration to make its product feel like an indispensable ally.

Brave-o-meter score: 

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

BRAVE – 7.6/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: QuickBooks
LinkedIn: Intuit QuickBooks 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:

  • B — Boldness: Is the ad original, creative, or daring? Does it break away from generic B2B marketing, or is it just another forgettable corporate video?
  • R — Relevance: Does it connect with a real buyer pain point? Is it addressing a specific frustration or need, or just listing product features?
  • A — Attention: Does it grab and hold attention in the first few seconds? Is it visually or tonally engaging, or easy to skip?
  • V — Vibe: Does it create an emotional response—laughter, recognition, or surprise? Or does it feel like just another corporate info dump?
  • E — Effectiveness: 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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