Ever wonder why some ads stick in your head? It’s all about the words they use.
In this blog, we’re sharing 17 awesome ad copy examples from big brands. Each one grabs you, solves a problem, or makes you feel something. Doesn’t matter if you’re into marketing or just here to learn, these examples show how to make ads that work.
Let’s jump right in.
1. Snickers – Yu cant spel properlie wen hungrie
Snickers cooked up this brilliant PPC ad on Google. They went after sloppy searches like “choclate” or “hungrie.” The copy? Pure gold: “Yu cant spel properlie wen hungrie. Grab yourslef a Snikkers.” It plugs right into their “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign.
Why does this hit so hard?
Because it makes you feel the problem before you even realize it’s an ad. People misspell words all the time, especially when typing fast. Seeing their own mistake mirrored in the ad makes it personal. It’s a pattern break. Your brain spots the error and stops scrolling. And that’s the hook.
Targeting here is sharp. They’re reaching hungry, distracted users at the exact moment they’re making typos. The humor makes it stick, the self-awareness makes it relatable, and the call to action (“Grab yourslef a Snikkers”) blends perfectly into the joke.
No hard selling, just a playful nudge that makes you want a Snickers without even thinking.
Ads don’t always need to be polished. Sometimes, a little imperfection makes them perfect.
2. Samsung – Awkward You Obviously Mean S6
Samsung’s “Awkward You Obviously Mean S6” ad was a direct punch at iPhone users. Someone searches for “iPhone 6” on Google, and bam—this Samsung ad pops up. “Awkward. You obviously mean S6.”
It’s aggressive, it’s cheeky, and it makes Apple fans second-guess their loyalty.
This ad plays on FOMO and doubt.
A simple nudge to make people think, “Wait, am I making a mistake by choosing the iPhone?” It interrupts their buying journey at a critical moment, planting a seed of doubt right before purchase. That’s psychological warfare in marketing.
Because it’s disruptive without being obnoxious. It speaks directly to tech-savvy buyers who are open to switching brands. It also plays on human nature—nobody wants to be the person who made the “awkward” choice.
If you can hijack a competitor’s traffic and flip their users with one clever line, do it. But do it in a way that makes them think twice, not just scroll past.
3. Dollar Shave Club – Shave Time. Shave Money.
Dollar Shave Club nailed it with “Shave Time. Shave Money.” Short, punchy, and packed with dual meaning. You save time by skipping the store. You save money with their subscription. No fluff, no filler—just two words that sell the entire value proposition.
The genius here is in the simplicity. It taps into pain points without needing an explanation. Men hate overpaying for razors. They hate running out at the worst moment. This ad tells them they never have to deal with that again. And it does it in five syllables.
Why did this convert? Because the message is frictionless. No thinking required. The brain processes it instantly. If your ad makes people work too hard to get the point, you lose them.
Brevity wins. If your value can’t be summed up in a few words, you’re doing it wrong.
4. EasyJet – Cheap Flights to Holiday Bliss
EasyJet’s “Cheap Flights to Holiday Bliss” is a masterclass in emotion-driven advertising. The word “cheap” grabs the deal hunters. “Holiday bliss” hooks the dreamers. Together, it tells a full story in just five words.
Travelers book flights based on two things: price and experience.
This ad speaks to both. The simplicity is what makes it brilliant. No extra adjectives. No hard sell. Just a straight shot to what people want: an affordable escape.
Why does this work? Because it triggers instant visualization. You’re not just booking a ticket. You’re picturing yourself on a beach, cocktail in hand, for a price that feels like a steal.
Emotional selling beats logical selling. Show people the outcome, not the process.
5. Zumba – Dance Your Way to Fit
Zumba’s “Dance Your Way to Fit” flips the script on fitness marketing. Most workout ads scream pain—burning calories, pushing limits, struggling through reps.
Zumba? They sell joy.
This ad taps into a core human truth: people hate exercise, but they love dancing.
Instead of making fitness feel like a chore, it makes it sound effortless. You don’t have to “work out.” You just have to move to music.
Why does this hit? Because it reframes the problem. Most people want to get fit but hate gyms. Zumba turns that into a non-issue. You can enjoy yourself and get in shape at the same time. That’s a no-brainer offer.
If your product can reframe a struggle into something enjoyable, you win. People don’t buy solutions. They buy better experiences.
6. The Perfume Shop – Smell Like Your Fave Celeb
The Perfume Shop’s “Smell Like Your Fave Celeb” is influencer marketing without the influencer. This ad cuts straight to desire. People buy celebrity-endorsed perfumes because they want to feel connected to their idols.
This ad removes the middleman and goes straight for the trigger.
It works because it skips the boring details. No one cares about the scent breakdown or the floral undertones. They care about feeling like their favorite star. That emotional pull is what sells.
It speaks to aspiration. People don’t buy perfume for the scent alone. They buy how it makes them feel.
Sell the transformation, not the product.
7. iHerb – Natural Supplements, Naturally Cheap
iHerb dropped this PPC ad on Google. “Natural Supplements, Naturally Cheap.” Health without the hurt.
Health buffs hate pricey pills. Good stuff costs too much. iHerb saw that wallet pain and eased it. Targeted people who want clean living but not broke living. Pain point was high costs. They made it simple and cheap.
Why did it work? Those words flow easily. Cheap and natural clicks with everyone. PPC loves a deal that feels good. Pain vanishes, and trust grows. People bought in bulk.
Key takeaways: Slash the price fear. Make it sound smooth. Hook the health crowd. Want clicks? Save their money.
8. AppDynamics – Monitor Apps, Boost Results
AppDynamics’ “Monitor Apps, Boost Results” is B2B advertising done right. No fluff. No jargon. Just two words that tell businesses exactly what they get.
Tech buyers don’t have time for long-winded ads.
They need clear, immediate value. This ad does it in five words. It tells CIOs and IT managers exactly why they need AppDynamics—better app performance, better business results.
Why does this work? Because it’s straight to the point. No one in B2B is looking for inspiration. They just want solutions, fast.
If your audience is busy professionals, don’t waste their time. Get to the value.
9. Nike – Dream Crazier
Nike’s “Dream Crazier” isn’t just an ad. It’s a cultural statement. This campaign took Nike’s iconic “Just Do It” and pushed it even further—specifically toward women in sports. The phrase is powerful because it reclaims the word “crazy.”
Society has told women for years that their ambitions in sports are unrealistic.
Nike flipped that script. They turned “crazy” into something empowering. It wasn’t just about selling shoes. It was about making a movement.
Why did this hit? Because it wasn’t just marketing. It was an identity. People don’t buy Nike because of the products. They buy what Nike stands for.
If your brand can tap into something bigger than itself, people don’t just become customers. They become believers.
10. Airbnb – Live There, Even for a Night
Airbnb’s “Live There, Even for a Night” changes the way people think about travel. Most hotel ads sell comfort, luxury, or low prices. Airbnb sells experience. This ad makes a one-night stay feel like full immersion.
It works because it flips the usual travel mindset.
You’re not just a tourist passing through. You’re stepping into someone’s home, their neighborhood, their life—even if it’s just for a night. That emotional shift makes staying in an Airbnb feel more authentic than booking a hotel.
Why did this ad resonate? Because it sells a feeling, not just a service. It taps into the desire for deeper, more meaningful travel.
If your product transforms how people experience something, highlight that. The best ads don’t just sell features. They sell a new perspective.
11. Butternut Box – Fresh food soooo good
Butternut Box’s “Fresh food soooo good, we can’t get a photo of it” is so simple it’s genius. No fluff. No over-explaining. This tells you exactly what the product is and why it matters.
This ad works because it eliminates friction.
Pet owners want better food for their dogs. The ad makes the solution obvious—fresh food, no effort.
Why does this convert? Because clarity sells. People make decisions fast. If your ad makes them think too much, you lose them.
Takeaway? The best copy doesn’t need extra words. It needs the right ones.
12. Anorak – Life Insurance, Millennial Style
Anorak’s “Life Insurance, Millennial Style” hits its target audience in four words. Life insurance is traditionally seen as boring, complicated, and something you deal with later in life. Anorak makes it clear—this isn’t your parents’ insurance.
If your product challenges industry norms, say it upfront. Make people rethink their assumptions.
The brilliance here is in the contrast. Life insurance is old-school. Millennials want modern, hassle-free solutions.
This ad bridges that gap instantly. No need to explain policy details or benefits. The phrase itself tells you everything—this is life insurance, but reimagined for you.
It works because it makes an unsexy product feel fresh and relevant. Millennials don’t think about life insurance, but when they see this, they feel like they should.
13. Matt Simpson – Date Me for 75 Cents a Click
Matt Simpson’s “Date Me for 75 Cents a Click” is advertising turned into performance art. It’s weird. It’s unexpected. And that’s exactly why it works.
Matt ran Facebook ads to find a date, paying 75 cents per click. The copy itself is the hook. It makes you stop and wonder, “Wait, what?” That curiosity alone drives engagement.
It works because it breaks every rule in the book. It’s not polished. It’s not conventional. But it proves a point—if an ad is interesting enough, people will share it. And when people share it, it spreads for free.
Takeaway? Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional. The best ads aren’t always the ones that look like ads.
14. Spotify – 2024 Wrapped: Your Year, Your Sound
Spotify’s “2024 Wrapped: Your Year, Your Sound” is personal branding at scale.
Spotify Wrapped is a marketing masterstroke, turning users’ listening data into a viral event. This tagline makes it feel like a celebration of you.
Your music, your personality, your identity—it’s all wrapped up in one personalized experience. And since people love sharing things that reflect who they are, this campaign spreads like wildfire.
It worked because it’s not just an ad. It’s a moment. People wait all year for Wrapped. That’s brand loyalty at its peak.
If you can make your product about the user, they’ll market it for you.
15. Casper – Sleep Better, Starting Tonight
Casper’s “Sleep Better, Starting Tonight” is textbook direct-response marketing. It doesn’t sell a mattress—it sells better sleep. And not someday. Tonight.
Most people know they need a better mattress, but they put it off. This ad plants urgency right in their heads. If you want better sleep, why wait?
It’s also effortless. No science talk, no features, no fluff. Just a promise: buy Casper, sleep better—immediately.
The best ads don’t just promise a result. They make people feel like they can have it right now.
16. Glossier – Skincare That’s You, But Better
Glossier’s “Skincare That’s You, But Better” is genius because it taps into the customer’s mindset. Nobody wants to look like someone else. They want to be the best version of themselves.
Traditional beauty ads can feel like they’re telling you you’re not enough. This one does the opposite—it reassures you. You’re already great. Glossier just enhances what’s already there.
This is why the brand exploded. It made beauty feel natural, not forced.
Takeaway? If your product makes people feel like the best version of themselves, lean into that. People don’t want to change. They just want an upgrade.
17. TOMS – One Pair Bought = One Pair Given
TOMS’ “One Pair Bought = One Pair Given” is the simplest way to turn a product into a movement. It’s not just a shoe—it’s a social impact.
This worked because it made people feel good about their purchase. Buying TOMS wasn’t just about style or comfort. It was a statement. Every pair helped someone in need. That emotional hook turned customers into brand ambassadors.
People love to share things that align with their values. When your purchase feels like an act of kindness, it’s no longer just shopping.
If your business does good, make it part of the product. When people buy into a mission, they don’t just buy once. They become lifelong fans.
Bonus: Bou’s Near-perfect Ad Copy
Bou’s Google ad, “Bou Bou Bou Bou Bou,” takes the conventional approach to digital advertising and flips it on its head.
It’s not just another generic ad saying, “We’re a brand agency.” Instead, it makes a bold statement by catching attention in a way that no one else does.
Simple, striking, and impossible to ignore.
It works because it’s impactful from the get-go. The repetition of “Bou” is unexpected, yet it immediately piques curiosity. It’s not just about telling people what Bou does—it’s about showing them, in a way that makes them stop, think, and want to know more.
It doesn’t just communicate; it creates an experience. The simplicity of the copy and the curiosity it sparks is what hooks people in, making them want to learn more.
Sometimes the best way to stand out in a crowded space is not to overcomplicate things. Bold, curious, and simple can make an enormous impact when done right.
Conclusion
These 20 ad copy examples show that great ads do more than sell—they connect. They hit your emotions, fix problems, and talk straight to you. With humor, heart, creativity, or simple fixes, they make an impact.
