Acora’s “Long Live the XLA” ad explores the importance of the XLA (Experience Level Agreement) in modern IT services, positioning it as the key to improved user experiences. It humorously highlights the conflict between traditional IT approaches and the innovative, customer-centric XLA model, showing how IT can evolve to better serve businesses.
The Formula (That Works at Any Budget):
Old-School IT Frustrations – The ad opens with a dramatic battle between outdated IT systems and the new, user-focused approach represented by XLA. It clearly illustrates the frustrations of relying on traditional IT service metrics like uptime and system availability, which often miss the mark on user experience.
→ Lesson: Start with relatable frustrations to hook your audience, especially if they’re familiar with traditional methods that no longer work.
XLA as the Hero – Acora positions the XLA as the game-changer that can improve user satisfaction, aligning IT metrics with business outcomes. This shift from traditional SLA (Service Level Agreement) to XLA is presented as the future of IT management.
→ Lesson: Position your product as the innovative solution that addresses real customer pain points and promises a better future.
Contrast Between Old and New – The ad uses the battle metaphor to show the clear divide between old-school IT and the XLA-driven approach. The old methods are depicted as outdated, while XLA is shown as the modern, progressive force leading IT services into the future.
→ Lesson: Highlight the stark contrast between old and new to effectively showcase the superiority of your offering.
Humor Through Conflict – The humor stems from the over-the-top battle between traditional IT and XLA, with exaggerated, almost theatrical clashes that make the frustrations of outdated IT seem both absurd and relatable.
→ Lesson: Use humor to dramatize pain points, making the solution more appealing by showing just how ineffective the old ways are.
Humor Breakdown:
The humor is a mix of over-dramatization and tongue-in-cheek visuals. The battle between traditional IT and the XLA model is exaggerated for comedic effect, helping viewers see the absurdity of sticking with outdated methods. This lighthearted approach adds entertainment value while reinforcing the message that XLA is the future of IT services.
Final Verdict:
Acora’s ad does an excellent job of using humor and vivid contrast to communicate the advantages of adopting XLA. It effectively underscores the inefficiencies of traditional IT metrics, positioning XLA as the solution to improving both IT performance and user experience. The ad’s engaging tone and dramatic visuals make the technical subject matter more accessible and memorable.
Brave-o-meter score:
B-8 | R-9 | A-8 | V-7 | E-8
BRAVE – 8/10
Watch the full ad & learn more:
Website: Acora
LinkedIn: Acora LinkedIn Page
