Why brands like Chipotle, JetBlue are spotlighting employees in ads as they seek Gen Z talent for fall

September 6, 2023  •  4 min learn  •  By Julian Cannon

Chipotle’s transfer, much like that of Footlocker final yr, kicked off on August 28 with spots on linear and linked TV, Twitch, TikTok and Instagram. The newest advert spots showcase present Chipotle employees delivering testimonials about their experiences working for the chain. Furthermore, the model intends to harness the ability of social media, utilizing behind-the-scenes content material strategically tailor-made to have interaction the Gen Z viewers.

According to Stephanie Perdue, vp of brand name advertising and marketing at Chipotle, the newest model effort is a construct on the 2019 short-form documentary “Behind the Foil” marketing campaign , an effort to be clear with customers on how its employees put together the meals previous to the busy lunch and dinner interval. 

“It was important for us to feature this authenticity that our employees have for our brand and what they do every day,” she mentioned, including that the real culinary ardour of the employees is unlikely to be replicated by actors. “The way that we source it, the way they cook it, the way they prepare it, that’s more than what a script can do.”

Perdue mentioned that 40% of the annual advert price range is allotted by dwell tv and social media and yearly. She mentioned the model is spending extra on social media and digital channels, however declines to provide a greenback breakdown. Perdue additionally declined to share general price range specifics. According to Vivvix information, the model spent somewhat over $28 million to date on promoting efforts in 2023.

Chipotle shouldn’t be alone on spotlighting its workers inside its ads. Recently, Anheuser-Busch’s workers was highlighted in its “That’s Who We Are” spot that honored first responders, employees and companions who during the last three many years produced, distributed and delivered over 90 million gallons of emergency ingesting water. Anheuser-Busch didn’t reply to a request to touch upon this story.

JetBlue, in the meantime, is highlighting its employees by leveraging viral hashtags on its TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Jayne O’Brien, the top of promoting and loyalty at JetBlue, outlined the airline’s method to social media engagement: Instead of counting on influencers to convey their model message, JetBlue prioritizes the genuine voices of its personal workers and happy prospects. By specializing in the actual experiences and tales of these straight concerned with the airline, JetBlue goals to ascertain a extra real and relatable reference to its viewers.

“We’ve got lots of content that we should be generating ourselves,” mentioned O’Brien. “We’ve also got over 24,000 crew members who are very keen to help and support and be part of TikTok so I think that’s why you’ll see us first before influencers.”

When it involves showcasing their inflight crew, pilots or prospects, O’Brien mentioned JetBlue typically depends on user-generated content material. Such content material could embrace photographs despatched in by passengers, capturing moments like a JetBlue flight touchdown in locations such as the Cayman Islands or Fort Lauderdale. Even easy tales, such as a JetBlue aircraft towards a picturesque sundown backdrop in Aruba, are likely to garner surprising ranges of consideration, reflecting the general public’s fascination with airplanes, she mentioned. Just like Chipotle, JetBlue is actively rising their concentrate on storytelling as a part of their advertising and marketing efforts to attach with its prospects authentically.

“It’s a strategic and smart move for Chipotle to invest in this ad campaign that will help store managers attract more ideal job candidates,” mentioned Kate Walker, founding father of Kate Walker Executive Coaching. “The ads resonate with candidates who are primed and eager to join that workforce; candidates who are ready to represent the Chipotle brand promise and this will hopefully result in higher quality candidates, less time to hire, and greater retention.”

Kimeko McCoy contributed reporting to this story

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