Salesforce | “Not Cool”

This short, punchy ad shows a woman trying to look up a company on her phone, only to find…nothing. No website. No social presence. Her reaction? A disgusted “Not cool.” Salesforce uses this 15-second scene to highlight a very real pain point: if your business isn’t digital, you’re invisible.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget)

Everyday Frustration = Instant Buy-In
The ad captures a common B2B moment—trying to vet a company online. If your business isn’t there, it kills trust.
Lesson: Reflect real buyer behavior in your ad to trigger recognition and urgency.

One-Liner = Maximum Impact
The phrase “Not cool” delivers the verdict fast. It’s blunt, funny, and memorable.
Lesson: A short, repeatable line can drive home your brand message.

Visual Simplicity = Total Focus
It’s one scene, one actor, one problem. That focus makes the point land hard without distraction.
Lesson: You don’t need big production to make a big impression.

Humor Breakdown

The humor is dry and real. Her face says it all—judgment, disappointment, and annoyance. It taps into the awkwardness of trying to take a brand seriously when it has no digital footprint.
Lesson: Relatable reactions can add humor without being over the top.

Final Verdict

Salesforce nails it in 15 seconds. It’s fast, clear, and painfully relatable. The ad turns a simple moment into a strong case for digital transformation—and leaves the viewer thinking, “Are we findable online?”

BRAVE-o-meter Score:
B-9 | R-6 | A-9 | V-7 | E-5
BRAVE – 7.2/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: salesforce.com
LinkedIn: Salesforce 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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