Purpose-driven brand ads up fourfold in five years

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Purpose-driven, or cause-related, advertising among the Interbrand 2016 list of top 100 global brands has increased fourfold since 2012, according to Pixability’s research.

Using YouTube data, the firm was able to identify a wide variety of causes of which women’s empowerment was the most prominent, accounting for 24% of all purpose-driven videos. Other topics being addressed include community aid (17%), adversity (16%), sustainability (14%) and equality (10%).

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Purpose-driven ads attracted almost one million more views than non-purpose ads, found the research, and engagement rates (total of likes, dislikes, comments and Shares) were higher (0.31% vs. 0.29%).

However, according to Bettina Hein, CEO of Pixability (via Think With Google), “there’s no one-size-fits-all answer” for brands looking for a cause to promote because, while a cause such as patriotism might attract the majority of purpose-driven ad views, equality is the cause that generates the highest engagement rates.

“When purpose-driven ads are done well, brands have the opportunity to not only stand for something they believe in, but also deeply connect with an audience,” said Hein. “I believe this will become an increasingly important method to build brands at a time when people are increasingly choosing brands that align with their values.”

Click here for a YouTube playlist of a selection of brand purpose-driven ads.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristina Knight-1
Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
Content Writer & Editor
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Kristina Knight is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience writing on varied topics. Kristina’s focus for the past 10 years has been the small business, online marketing, and banking sectors, however, she keeps things interesting by writing about her experiences as an adoptive mom, parenting, and education issues. Kristina’s work has appeared with BizReport.com, NBC News, Soaps.com, DisasterNewsNetwork, and many more publications.