Best Advertisement of 2014?

Thai Life Insurance created a commercial called “Unsung Hero” that was named the best advertisement of 2014, according to a YouTube video posted about it online. The ad depicts a man doing good deeds as he goes throughout his day. As the people around the guy shake their heads in disapproval at the man’s actions, the narrator asks what the man is getting in return for these good deeds. The answer is he gets nothing physical in return; there is no money involved and his status in life does not change. He does not become famous. He receives personal satisfaction, love, and positive emotions from those around him as he creates a better world and shows the value of being a good human being.

The ad works not only because the cinematography of the advertisement is aesthetically pleasing, but also because it makes viewers feel that there are humans that can bring happiness and goodness to others. As Grenoble writes, “Here’s to the people who do what’s right. Not for the recognition, and not because they believe it will enrich them financially, but because they know life is better when you pay it forward” (Grenoble, 2014, paras. 1-2).

This advertisement is a reminder that small acts of kindness can help others out in ways that you may not even know. I personally really enjoyed the ad and I think it deserves the title of “Best Advertisement of 2014”. A lot of similar ads tend to be overly sappy, but this ad had the right mix of sappiness, genuineness, and motivation for change. The ad succeeded in portraying how human beings can make a difference in the world just by taking a few extra minutes a day to help another person.

What do you think of the ad? Do you think it should be called “Best Advertisement of 2014”?

Grenoble, R. (2014, Apr. 7). Unsung Heroes Like This Make Us Believe There’s Good In The World. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/thai-ad-unsung-hero-life-insurance-ad_n_5105369.html

VinAy KrishNan. (2014, Apr. 18). Best Advertisement ever-Winner of Best Ad 2014. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9vFWA1rnWc