There’s huge competition when it comes to brokerages and trading, and companies turn to adverts to help them stand out from the crowd. Due to their huge pull, sportspeople are often the go to talent. Here are some of the best (or worst) ads we’ve found.
Finance Ads, the Good (?), the Bad and the Cringe
Now, there’s no such thing as bad publicity and a cheesy advert could work just as a well as a great one, but then … that’s a fine line. I’m no marketing or forex expert, but if you’re talking about it, or laughing about (or at) an ad, then hasn’t it done the job? Whatever you might think, José was definitely taking it seriously.
Conor McGregor for XTB
Well. If that’s what a trader looks like… I don’t know. In strolls Conor, demands a haircut, saying he wants to look like an investor. Everyone chips in, chats about commodities vs stocks, et cetera. Nobody looks like a trader. And then at the end, in comes the old school guy in pins and bracers. Let’s all have a laugh. Conor’s awful acting aside, it gets the point across.
Invast Global (26 Degrees) and Australian Women’s Sevens
This is just funny. It’s cringe worthy, but it’s also funny. Man announces sponsorship of women’s rugby team. Woman flattens man. And by the sound of the air leaving his body, she wasn’t messing about.
John McEnroe and Pepperstone
This is my personal favorite. Taking “Mac”’s legendarily foul temper on the court and turning him into a punishing tennis coach is great. Just remember the important message underneath – security is everything in trading
José Mourinho for XTB
XTB strike again. This has to be the cringiest of the lot. You know that Mourinho’s taking it seriously. The end result is just awful.
It’s Not Just Finance Ads that Go Wrong
OK, it’s all fun and games, and yes, trading and brokers can be cool. But, it’s not just brokerages or finance firms that get it all wrong.
Before we turn to a truly great ad, here’s a wonderful example of a really odd, high budget ad featuring a sportsperson. I present Fernando Torres, advertising a Samsung fridge by making cupcakes:
A True Great
And, I’ll leave you with this, just to prove that ads featuring sportspeople can be good. The Brazilian national team playing football in an airport for Nike in 1998.
For more finance-adjacent stories, check out our Trending section. There's also our ongoing series of marketing in the digital age, the Mindhack.
