Case study: How to communicate with different audiences for same product?

Today, we will talk about how the same product is pitched differently to different target audiences. We will use two great advertisements from State Bank of India, India's largest Bank. Both the ads are about Life Insurance products from SBI but are clearly aimed at different target audiences.


In the first ad as you can see above, the setting is distinctly rural to appeal rural viewers. We can easily interpret through the body language of the hero(and the detailing of the tampering process)that he has no better work to do. The viewers can easily identify with his need for a life insurance when he is caught tampering the poster of the local hoodlum/politician. Thus the ad is influencing the approach of target audience towards life insurance by simulating a real life and believable situation. The situation very well sums up the tagline 'Kahin bhi kabhi bhi' (wherever and whenever).



The second ad conveys the same message but in a very subtle way and is strongly emotional. The ad is cleverly focussed on elderly middle class citizens who are financially independent and are free of family responsibilities. The positioning is clearly for elders who are 'Young at heart' and who don't want to miss out on any of the life's excitement just because they are physically old. This positioning is depicted in the way two sisters deny to be treated as old people and the way they enjoy their 48 hours long journey(some memorable moments include scenes wherein sisters play cards and wave at children standing along the railway route). The bonding between brother and sisters is used considering the family values of the target audience.

What is the secret of the success of these two ads? Though there is no single reason, I think, one of the reasons is that the target audience can quickly identify with the emotions, values and messages that the ads convey. This is important because the message in most interesting ads is lost by the target audience if the emphasis is merely on making the ads attractive and appealing. You may think about other reasons for success of these ads.