SurveyMonkey | Ask. Listen. Act. ❘ Giancarlo Esposito

SurveyMonkey’s ad features the iconic Giancarlo Esposito in a commanding role, encouraging businesses to use the platform’s survey tools to listen to their customers, gather insights, and act on feedback. With a simple yet impactful message, the ad emphasizes the importance of listening to what people have to say in order to drive change and growth.

The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):

Authority Figure = Instant Credibility – Giancarlo Esposito’s authoritative presence immediately lends weight to the message, making the act of “asking, listening, and acting” feel more powerful and impactful.
Lesson: Partnering with a respected figure can elevate your message, making it resonate more strongly with your audience.

Clear, Concise Messaging = Stronger Engagement – The ad is straightforward and to the point, highlighting SurveyMonkey’s core functionality without unnecessary fluff. The simplicity ensures the message lands effectively.
Lesson: A clear, no-frills message can be more compelling than trying to explain every feature in depth.

Emotional Appeal = Connection to the Audience – By framing the ad around the real-world concept of listening and acting on feedback, it creates an emotional connection, making the audience feel like they’re part of an important, shared mission.
Lesson: Appeal to your audience’s emotions to build a deeper connection and motivate them to take action.

Subtle Urgency = Call to Action – The tone of the ad subtly conveys that acting on feedback is not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for growth and success. This urgency prompts businesses to take immediate action.
Lesson: Use urgency to motivate your audience to act on your product’s value.

Humor Breakdown:

The humor in this ad is understated. It’s more about the effectiveness of Giancarlo Esposito’s delivery and the dramatic shift in tone between what’s being said and the serious gravity with which it’s said. The humor comes from the contrast—while the message is simple, the way it’s delivered adds an element of intensity that catches the audience’s attention.

Final Verdict:

SurveyMonkey’s ad delivers a strong, clear, and authoritative message with a bit of humor. By utilizing Giancarlo Esposito’s presence, the ad elevates the importance of listening to feedback while reinforcing the simplicity and power of SurveyMonkey’s platform. It’s a perfect balance of authority, clarity, and subtle humor to encourage businesses to take action.

Brave-o-meter score: 

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

BRAVE – 8/10

Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: SurveyMonkey
LinkedIn: SurveyMonkey 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.

Share on social media