Splunk | SOC Stars

In a world full of IT chaos, Splunk’s “SOC Stars” ad brings a burst of energy by spotlighting the often-unsung heroes of the security operations center (SOC). The ad imagines SOC professionals as rock stars, expertly navigating the complex, high-stakes world of cybersecurity with style and precision. With a mix of fun and insight, Splunk elevates the crucial role of security teams in keeping organizations safe.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

High-Energy Humor = Instant Engagement – The ad uses humor to draw attention to a typically dry subject—cybersecurity—by comparing IT professionals to rock stars.
→ Lesson: Take a usually serious topic and inject humor or lightheartedness to make it more relatable and engaging for your audience.

Role Reversal = Fresh Perspective – By presenting SOC professionals as celebrities, Splunk flips the script, making the often-overlooked workers the stars of the show.
→ Lesson: Change the perspective to shine a light on your audience’s strengths and make them feel valued.

Quick, Punchy Cuts – The fast-paced editing matches the high-energy tone of the ad, keeping things engaging and lively without dragging on.
→ Lesson: Keep things moving—brevity is key when trying to maintain momentum in a corporate ad.

Product as the Hero – The focus is on Splunk’s role in helping SOC teams tackle complex challenges with ease, providing the tools they need to shine.
→ Lesson: Position your product as the enabler of your audience’s success, rather than the main focus itself.

Type of Humor:

Clever and Ironic – The humor in this ad comes from the contrast between the typically mundane nature of cybersecurity work and the glamorous rock star treatment it receives here. It’s fun, but also underlined by an ironic twist.
→ Lesson: Humor doesn’t always have to be laugh-out-loud; sometimes a clever take on expectations can be just as powerful.

Final Verdict:
Splunk’s “SOC Stars” is a clever, high-energy ad that takes a dry topic like cybersecurity and makes it both entertaining and relatable. By turning security operations into a rock concert, the ad makes a strong case for Splunk’s product while giving credit to the real stars of IT.

Brave-o-meter score: 

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

BRAVE – 8.6/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:

Website: https://www.splunk.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/splunk

(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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