---
title: "Dating prank ad campaign spotlights potential of creative marketing for franchises"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/6f7e446a-1b35-4033-a878-fd5d3618d6bc
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/dating-prank-ad-campaign-spotlights-potential-of-creative-marketing-for-franchises-1138
category: "General"
topics: ["Marketing"]
published: 2015-02-16T17:12:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T13:25:31.738Z
image: https://1851franchise.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewimage.1851franchise.com%2Fauthor%2Ff6b69df61a7e0c25a97afce1df1b7ceb5133.jpg&w=3840&q=75
---

# Dating prank ad campaign spotlights potential of creative marketing for franchises

**TL;DR:** Ford's 'Speed Dating' advertising campaign features a group of young men on blind dates with a professional stunt driver in a brand-new Mustang. The campaign's simplicity and relatability make it a creative marketing hit.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2015-02-16. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/dating-prank-ad-campaign-spotlights-potential-of-creative-marketing-for-franchises-1138).*

## Story

Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and chances are you stuck with the tried and true. Maybe you bought flowers for your special someone, or took them out to a nice dinner. Heck, perhaps you even went all out and sprung for some expensive jewelry.

But spinning donuts at high speed in a brand-new Mustang? Not likely.

However, that’s exactly how Ford had a group of prospective Romeos spend their first dates in its new “Speed Dating” advertising campaign.

The spot’s simplicity is also its genius. A group of young men show up one by one for a blind date at a local coffee shop. They’re greeted by a beautiful blonde and awkward first-date chit chat ensues.

Soon enough, the woman suggests they get out and about in her car – the new Ford Mustang. She pretends to be barely competent handling a stick shift before pulling into an abandoned parking lot and letting loose.

Cue bug eyes, nervous laughter, excited screams and the guys’ realization that their date is actually a professional stunt driver.

**Recipe for viral success** Every brand, big or small, wants to score a viral video. However, it’s that same yearning that often counts against companies.

After all, a video that feels like it’s trying too hard is sure to turn off consumers and limit its shareability.

What makes Ford’s new ad so effective is its simplicity. Everyone who’s ever been on a blind date can instantly relate to the awkward atmosphere that comes with meeting a potential romantic partner for the first time.

Meanwhile, the excitement that comes with driving fast is also universal. There’s a reason movie car chases and NASCAR remain so popular.

Put the two together, mix in a little hidden camera hijinks, cook on YouTube at 400 degrees until the edges are browned and voila, you’ve got yourself a creative marketing hit.

Obviously franchises can’t replicate the exact formula of Ford’s “Speed Dating” campaign, but they should be taking notes. If the ad proves one thing, it’s that viral success doesn’t have to be complicated.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- General (sector)
- Ford (company)
- NASCAR (company)
- ad campaign (topic)
- viral marketing (topic)
- creative marketing (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/dating-prank-ad-campaign-spotlights-potential-of-creative-marketing-for-franchises-1138). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/6f7e446a-1b35-4033-a878-fd5d3618d6bc).