HomeLibraryAdsUs-versus-them positioning
Library ad

Us-versus-them positioning

Gremlins love to pitch things at your eyes. Wear safety goggles. Back up our battleskies!" poster

commons.wikimedia.orgpublic-domain-us

The pattern

This still is filed under Us-versus-them positioning.

Define

The buyer is invited into a side. The product is what we use. The named other is what we refuse.

Mechanism

Identity contrast. Choosing the offer is choosing a group. The out-group does as much work as the claim.

Verdict

The category is crowded

Read the pattern

Why it works

It uses humor and a popular wartime myth (gremlins) to make a boring safety message memorable and engaging, avoiding a nagging or patronizing tone.

Steal this when

You need to enforce compliance with a mundane rule and want to avoid sounding boring or authoritative.

All ads