Dove "Real Strength" Campaign
Targeting - Fathers and supporters of gender equality
Core Theme of the Campaign -
Challenging traditional masculinity stereotypes
About the
Campaign -
Dove Men+Care's fatherhood campaign
Formula applied by the Campaign to elicit customer action -
Celebrating caring fathers and their strength
Business Title
A Look at
the Campaign
The Dove "Real Strength" campaign is a marketing initiative by Dove, a personal care brand, that was launched during the Super Bowl XLIX in 2015. The campaign aimed to redefine traditional notions of masculinity and encourage men to embrace their vulnerability, express their emotions, and challenge stereotypes about what it means to be a "real man."
Here are the key details about the Dove "Real Strength" campaign:
1. Concept: The central concept of the campaign was to challenge traditional notions of masculinity and to redefine "real strength" as the ability to express one's emotions, show vulnerability, and care for others.
2. Super Bowl Ad: The campaign was launched with a commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLIX, one of the most-watched television events in the United States. This timing ensured a broad and engaged audience.
3. Real Men: The commercial featured real men and boys of various ages and backgrounds, not actors or models, talking about moments when they felt vulnerable, emotional, or connected with loved ones.
4. Emotional Impact: The campaign aimed to elicit an emotional response from viewers by highlighting touching and heartfelt moments between fathers and sons, friends, and family members.
5. Message: The message of the campaign was that real strength is not about hiding one's emotions or conforming to traditional stereotypes of masculinity but about showing vulnerability, tenderness, and emotional connection.
6. Social Media Engagement: Dove encouraged viewers to engage with the campaign on social media platforms using the hashtag #RealStrength. They also invited men to share their own stories of vulnerability and emotional connection.
7. Brand Message: While the campaign did not directly promote Dove's products, it reinforced Dove's long-standing brand message of promoting real beauty, self-confidence, and positive self-image.
8. Impact and Recognition: The "Real Strength" campaign received recognition and awards for its positive and progressive message about masculinity and emotional expression.
The Dove "Real Strength" campaign is notable for challenging traditional gender norms and promoting a more inclusive and emotionally expressive view of masculinity. It sparked important conversations about the expectations placed on men and encouraged men to embrace their emotions and connect with others in meaningful ways.