Secure your place at the Digiday Media Buying Summit in Nashville, March 2-4
Perfume commercials are typically cheesy affairs: dramatic lighting, longing stares, whispering, breathy narratives, sultry women strutting around and their chiseled male counterparts similarly strutting and posing. Chanel’s latest perfume Web video — I’m sure the agency calls it a “film” — keeps up the tradition.
The spot features hunky Brad Pitt, shot in black and white, delivering a serious, vague, nonsensical monologue that leads up to “Chanel No. 5. Inevitable.” Hmm. And it’s only part one, so there is more to come. I’m surprised that they didn’t use Brad Pitt for something more interesting. Chanel’s other perfume commercials have been more like short films that actually have storylines — yes, dramatic and cheesy ones, but at least they made sense and were shot beautifully and were visually exciting thanks to the use of luxurious Chanel costuming, like the Cinderella-esque one with Nicole Kidman. This one with Brad is just kind of blah.
Update: Part two is now available, and it’s not any better, or much different, from part one. Sigh.
More in Marketing
Thrive Market’s Amina Pasha believes brands that focus on trust will win in an AI-first world
Amina Pasha, CMO at Thrive Market, believes building trust can help brands differentiate themselves.
Despite flight to fame, celeb talent isn’t as sure a bet as CMOs think
Brands are leaning more heavily on celebrity talent in advertising. Marketers see guaranteed wins in working with big names, but there are hidden risks.
With AI backlash building, marketers reconsider their approach
With AI hype giving way to skepticism, advertisers are reassessing how the technology fits into their workflows and brand positioning.