When it comes to the Oscars, we’re all here for the glitz, the red carpet glamour, and the acceptance speeches loaded with gratitude.
But beyond the golden statues and teary-eyed celebs lies an underappreciated subplot—the brands that bring their advertising A-game to this cultural spectacle.
Whether it’s a poignant message that tugs at the heartstrings or a cheeky nod to Hollywood’s biggest night, the ads aired during or leading up to the Oscars can be as memorable as the winners themselves.
Smart advertisers know this is their moment. The Oscars offer an audience unique among major televised events—a captivated, diverse mix of art lovers, pop culture buffs, and influencers of all kinds.
And yet the goal isn’t just to be seen during this three-hour celebration of cinema, but to connect in a way that lasts.
For digital marketers, this raises an irresistible question—how do these brands create campaigns that not only shine in the spotlight but stay with viewers long after the credits roll?
Grab your director’s chair, because it’s time to analyze how these brands become the unsung stars of the show.
Storytelling That Sticks
What makes an Oscar-worthy ad? It’s the way the story resonates. Each year, certain brands create commercial spots that feel more like two-minute mini-movies—scripts crafted with a rhythm, a hook, and a climactic moment that forces you to pay attention.
Nike did it perfectly with its 2019 “Dream Crazy” campaign, leveraging Colin Kaepernick’s narrative to inspire ambition and spark important cultural conversations.
And who can forget Apple’s cinematic “Welcome Home,” released around the same time, which was more of a visual odyssey than advertisement?
A lesson here for marketers is that storytelling in your campaigns should pack as much punch as a box-office script. Emotional arcs don’t just belong to film; your ads can build them too.
Whether you sell coffee or custom software, your audience will always respond to stories that make them feel something. Humor, nostalgia, or drama—it doesn't matter. Just make it memorable.
Timing Is Everything
Much like an Oscar-worthy movie knows the perfect release window, timing in advertising matters—a lot.
Take Jeep’s unforgettable “Groundhog Day” ad, synced to the Super Bowl, which fell on Groundhog Day in 2020. The ad masterfully worked its timing layers—capitalizing on nostalgia (Bill Murray reprising his famous role), humor, and a day everyone recognized.
Oscars ads have similar finesse. Disney, for instance, waits until Oscars night to drop trailers for its most anticipated films, hitting a prime moment when moviegoers are already glued to screens. Advertisers use events like this to not just drop content but drop it strategically. They know anticipation and context fuel interest—what they show matters just as much as when and why.
If you want your campaign to land, consider the cultural calendar. Holidays, trending topics, or blockbuster events will give your campaign heightened relevance while ensuring your audience is receptive.
Know Your Audience—and Their Expectations
Not every Oscars viewer spends their Monday mornings comparing feature-length edits of Christopher Nolan movies, but the blend of casual watchers and film fanatics still demands respect.
Brands broadcasting during this event know they can pull off some creative risks—and they do.
Look no further than Cadillac’s 2021 spot that nodded to “Edward Scissorhands” in the most delightfully unexpected way. A clever concept, executed beautifully, left viewers laughing and applauding its originality.
Why does this work? Because Cadillac anticipated exactly what would excite its audience on Oscars night—a fresh, fun twist on a beloved movie that people would be talking about already.
For digital marketers, the idea here is simple but worth emphasizing. Content customized to match your audience’s personality and vibes will perform better, plain and simple. Learn what excites them, create experiences they want to engage with, and watch how effortlessly your brand sticks the landing.
The Art of the Visuals
Oscars ads aren’t only about scripts and taglines; they’re mini-celebrations of stunning visuals and production.
Dior, for example, doesn’t just advertise fragrance; its commercials are art in motion—fresh-faced stars, dreamlike backdrops, all captured with cinematic perfection that mimics an indie Oscar darling.
Why does this matter to digital marketers? Because looks aren’t everything, but they are something.
Aesthetics play a major role in making content scroll-stopping or swipe-able. Even the smallest creative choices—colors, fonts, layouts—significantly influence how your brand feels and how your audience connects. An attention-grabbing visual experience can make the difference between someone skimming past your ad and clicking through.
The Power of Collaboration
Another one of the standout lessons from the Oscars is the importance of collaboration. Behind every Oscar-winning film is a talented ensemble of directors, actors, cinematographers, writers, and editors—and the best brands know how to apply this same principle to their campaigns.
Consider the partnerships forged during iconic ads like Coca-Cola teaming up with Marvel characters or Nike collaborating with sports icons. These partnerships create authentic narratives and amplify brand visibility by tapping into the creativity and audience reach of their collaborators.
For digital marketers, this means thinking beyond your in-house team. Partner with creators, influencers, or even other brands to merge your strengths and tell richer, more compelling stories. When done right, collaboration adds depth, credibility, and excitement to your message, helping your campaign resonate in memorable and meaningful ways.
The takeaway here? Two—or three—creative brains are often better than one. Strategic partnerships bring new energy to your campaigns, opening up opportunities for greater reach and more powerful storytelling.
Building the Buzz
What truly elevates a great Oscars ad? The chatter it creates long after the night fades.
These campaigns aren’t just built for 60 seconds of screen time—they’re built for viral moments, shared tweets, and endless memes. Old Spice wrote the book on this, tailoring its humorous ads to be both evergreen and socially shareable.
A digital marketer can borrow this tactic simply by asking one thing— “How shareable is this ad?”
A great campaign doesn’t live and die in its first hour. Build layers of interactive content, hashtags, or playful challenges to invite audiences into your brand’s storyline. Soon enough, you’ll see your message spreading far beyond the original post.
Cue the Final Applause
The Oscars aren’t just an awards night—they’re a stage for brands to stand out and demonstrate what masterful advertising looks like.
From tightly honed timing to visually stunning storytelling, these award-winning brands teach marketers how to act boldly, think creatively, and play strategically.
Even if commercials don’t have shining golden statues, they prove something just as valuable—they can become part of the broader cultural memory.
For marketers, the lessons from these ads are clear. Make your campaigns matter. Give them heart, spark, and shareability.
Lights, camera, action—it’s time to create the stories your audience will remember. Kinetic319 can help you do just that.