The Man, The Tribe, and The Lighter

We, team BUSFAM, a premier creative advertising agency, are once again with another episode of the #BreakingtheAds segment, where we take you through the latest and trending campaigns.

Today, we are going to discuss one of the funniest but insightful video scenarios. The advertisement blends humour with a powerful lesson. Let’s dive in.

In the world of advertising, it is often the most unexpected campaigns that give rise to powerful insights. Whether it's a strategic advertisement or a funny video that grabs our attention, there's always something to learn.

Today's video does exactly that. It has mixed humour with a deeper, more meaningful message.

As we analyse this campaign, we will examine some of the major themes that include strategic thinking, career development, and learning to appreciate the value proposition. After all, from advertising to business to leadership, knowing when and how to deploy your abilities is important.

Breaking the Campaign

The ad begins with a man wandering into a primitive tribe, who, according to their conventional beliefs, were going to roast him over the fire. They tried to light the fire using rocks but failed despite multiple attempts. Out of frustration, they let him go.

But here's the twist. Soon, the guy pulled out a lighter from his pocket and lit a cigarette. He even offered one to the tribe.

They become aware that the guy had something that they didn’t, and that’s fire, which they were unable to create using conventional methods.

What does he do next? The tribe doesn't thank him. They tied him up again, not out of rage but because he possessed what they lacked.

Lessons From The Video

• Your unique skills or expertise can either be your greatest strength or weakness. Ensure you know the timing and present them to the right people.
• The lighter the man carried was a normal item to him, something he likely used daily. But the tribe valued it since they had no way of starting a fire. So in the corporate world, one should never neglect the importance of something they know or have access to, even if it seems average.
• The man did not just light a cigarette. Rather, he demonstrated to the tribe that he had something they lacked. In the workplace, it is essential to convey your worth in a way that will be recognised even when other people lack your context or history.
• If the man had simply given up his lighter without complaint, the tribe would have taken it, utilised it, and perhaps considered him less of a threat. What he did instead was employ his value as a bargaining tool, causing the tribe to rethink their first impression of him. In business, knowing when to give away your assets, your ideas, or your expertise can be what makes the difference between negotiating in strength.

Our Thoughts

This campaign is a powerful metaphor for the conditions that are required for success in your professional life. Amidst a world full of people who are looking to survive, the skills and knowledge you have are what they may be searching for.

Whether you are closing a deal, selling an idea, or launching a new product, how you frame your strengths decides what people do. Revealing too soon or too late might hinder the game. What matters is revealing at the right time in the right way to stand out.

Hope you have enjoyed this read. We will share more such content.