The Fourth of July is over; that means the long weekend has come to an end and life in the office has begun once more. I apologize if that’s news to some of you, but for many of us, we had to trade in our trunks for dress pants and start our work week.

But before you get situated behind your desk, I don’t see why we can’t have a little more fun. So let’s transition from fireworks to paperwork together by taking a look at some of this year’s brands that made a splash in their advertising during the Fourth of July.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs

I can’t speak for everyone, but if you’re like me, watching the Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest is a tradition that’s a mixture of exciting, disgusting, and mesmerizing. This year, American’s “most famous frank” turned 100 years old and it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t stop and appreciate this monumental occasion.

While the hot dog eating contest is a holiday tradition, it’s also a major advertising opportunity that has been promoting brand loyalty for a century. Take a second and watch this year’s record breaking performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAqBF1ukRss

Nathan’s is also a prime example of a brand producing quality content that it’s followers enjoy. Simple infographics and fast facts are a great way to share content in a quick and easily understandable way to an audience.

Ad Council | “Love Has No Labels”

In this short video, John Cena speaks about patriotism. As he walks through a picturesque American small-town, he asks people to picture the average American and then explains the diversity that makes up our country. The video addresses current issues and promotes unity with phrases like, “To love America is to love all Americans.”

https://youtu.be/0MdK8hBkR3s

If we take a closer look at the video, we can see the elements that were put together to create this high-quality content. First, the video features someone who’s easily recognizable by the audience. Second, the video begins by addressing patriotism and America – two things we expect to hear on the Fourth of July. Third, the information in the video is presented in an engaging way that focuses on relevant issues.

With all of these elements in place and the audience engaged with the content, the message is finally delivered: “We are America.”

Dixie

Dixie Paper Products, the company best known for supplying our disposable dishware for picnics and BBQ’s, took an interesting approach this Fourth of July by introducing us to “The Salad Men.” The video is a funny twist on men fighting for their right to eat salads without shame.

The advertisement might seem ridiculous, but the concept is a great example of content that promotes a brand in a fun, light-hearted way. Dixie also released a Facebook carousel ad featuring different summer salad recipes for men to cook up.

Chubbies Shorts

It would be wrong of me not to mention one of our office’s favorite holiday brands. Chubbies Shorts creates retro-style shorts and other clothing for men and women that are unique to people looking for a party. The main advertising element I want to point out about this brand is the voice and tone of their company.

 

Their unique style has created a connection with their target audience and built a community around brand loyalty. They’re a great example of defining a company’s voice and utilizing advertising to speak directly to potential customers.

Back to Work

Just in case your boss asks you why you’ve spent the last ten minutes watching YouTube videos and reading about hot dogs and men in short-shorts, here are some takeaways you can use.

  • Be like Nathan’s – build brand loyalty by staying consistent with your quality content production.
  • Be like Ad Council – use relevant issues and timing to promote your message.
  • Be like Dixie – present your brand in an unexpected, interesting way.
  • Be like Chubbies – define the voice and tone of your company to connect with your target audience.