# Ad summary
This image ad shows a man who has likely been running outside in the rain. He's walking into an airstream camper and is wearing Merrell brand apparel and shoes. The ad campaign is called "It Starts Outside" and suggests that getting outside and enduring some level of discomfort can be rewarding.
# Brand positioning
Merrell is presented as a brand that celebrates the outdoors in its rawest form. The ad features a runner who appears to have just come in from a run in the rain, highlighting the brand's association with endurance and resilience. The brand aligns itself with a lifestyle that embraces the challenges and rewards of outdoor activities, appealing to those who seek adventure and aren't afraid to face discomfort. The tagline, "It Starts Outside," suggests a philosophy that views outdoor experiences as transformative, pushing against the notion that comfort is the ultimate goal. The brand positions itself as a facilitator of these challenging yet rewarding experiences.
# Product
The ad features Merrell brand apparel and running shoes designed for outdoor running in adverse conditions. The running shoes are black and yellow with blue laces and are designed to provide traction and support on varied terrains. The runner is wearing a white t-shirt with a rainbow striped graphic and blue running shorts that appear to be made of a lightweight, quick-drying material. These products are meant for trail running in potentially wet or muddy conditions, supporting the runner's performance and protecting them from the elements. The products are shown in the context of a rainy day, suggesting they are durable and reliable for outdoor activities, even when the weather is not ideal.
# Visual style
The ad has a gritty, realistic aesthetic with a focus on capturing an authentic moment. The production quality is high, but the image is not overly polished, which lends to the impression that it is showing a real-life scenario. The image has a subdued color palette, with the silver airstream and the rainy background creating a muted tone. The typography is clean and simple, which does not distract from the central image.
# Hooks
Headline: To love outside, you might have to hate it first.
# Benefits
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# Features
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# Call to action
None used.
# Point of view
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# Storyline
- The ad starts with the tagline, "To love outside, you might have to hate it first," which implies that experiencing discomfort or challenge is a necessary part of appreciating the outdoors. This is framed from the brand's perspective, setting the tone for an ad that celebrates the raw, unfiltered experience of being in nature and positions the brand as embracing this philosophy.
- Next, the ad transitions to a visual of a runner walking into an airstream after running in the rain. This reinforces the idea of embracing discomfort and pushing through challenges, implying that outdoor adventures often involve facing unpleasant conditions. The perspective here is from an observer, capturing a realistic moment of someone engaging in outdoor activity.
- The ad concludes with the campaign slogan, "It Starts Outside," paired with the Merrell brand logo. This encapsulates the brand's message that transformative experiences begin with venturing into the outdoors, suggesting that Merrell products facilitate these journeys. The brand is telling this part of the story, solidifying its position as a facilitator of outdoor adventures.