You’re watching Thanksgiving football, snacks in hand, cheering for your team. Suddenly, a QR code flashes across the screen during a commercial. A quick scan and you’re browsing Walmart’s Black Friday deals, all without getting off the couch. Cool, right? That’s exactly what Walmart and NBCU are doing with their new “Deals of Desire” shoppable ads.
This isn’t some sort of marketing hyperbole; this is a whole different way of thinking about how brands connect with their audience. Walmart’s retail muscle and NBCU’s media reach have combined to make ads interactive, fun, and seamless—and it’s working!
Let’s dig into how they’re pulling it off and why it’s something every brand should take notes on.
Ads that crash the party (in the best way possible!)
We’ve all groaned at ads cutting into our favorite shows. But Walmart and NBCU have flipped the script, turning ads into part of the experience. During the Thanksgiving NFL game, viewers got a taste of their “Deals of Desire” campaign.
Here’s how it worked: A QR code pops up on-screen. Scan it, and voilà-you’re suddenly on Walmart’s website. If you needed an even easier way to do that, well, you could text to shop.
Clever, isn’t it? Convenient, too. Why not make it simple for football fans to score a deal while watching the game? They’re already glued to their TVs. So these ads become a delightful part of the experience, not a distraction.
Takeaway for brands: Make it ridiculously easy for your audience to act. Whether it’s clickable links, QR codes, or seamless checkout, remove the hassle so they’re more likely to say “yes.”
Data that (actually) works for you
One of the coolest parts of this campaign? Walmart and NBCU aren’t just guessing if it’s working—they know. With closed-loop measurement, they can see exactly how their ads drive sales.
Here’s how it works: if someone scans a QR code during the game and buys a product, Walmart can trace that sale directly back to the ad. Not only does this help Walmart, but this is a game-changer for advertisers everywhere. This is proof that the investment is paying off, showing what exactly resonates with shoppers.
Takeaway for brands: Use data to get smarter by knowing what works and what doesn’t, fine-tune your marketing strategy, spend wiser, and see better results.
Ads that don’t feel like ads
Let’s face it—no one wants to sit through boring commercials, especially during a big game. That’s where Walmart’s “Deals of Desire” campaign shines.
Walmart and NBCU gave audiences entertaining and engaging skits, complete with popular actors and nods to popular TV series, instead of traditional advertising. Besides driving sales, these mini-tales engaged audiences and kept them watching until the very end.
By blending humor, creativity, and storytelling, Walmart turned something people typically avoid into something they actually enjoyed.
Takeaway for brands: If you want people to pay attention, make it fun. Humor, storytelling, and creativity turn ads into something people want to see—not skip.
Right place + right time = BIG results!
Launching this campaign during Thanksgiving wasn’t a random choice.
Thanksgiving is a time when people are already thinking about shopping. Add the excitement of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and you’ve got an audience primed to buy. Walmart and NBCU took full advantage of this moment, delivering their “Deals of Desire” ads when viewers were most engaged.
Takeaway for brands: Timing can make or break your campaign. Align your efforts with moments when your audience is already tuned in—holidays, big events, or trending moments online.
Why this matters for entrepreneurs and brands
What Walmart and NBCU are doing isn’t just clever—it’s the future. They’re showing how to merge entertainment, convenience, and real-time shopping into something that works. And you don’t have to be Walmart to take notes.
Here’s what you can do:
- Make it seamless: Remove barriers for your customers. Whether it’s a one-click checkout or shoppable posts, make it easy for them to act.
- Let data guide you: Measure what works and use that insight to improve your campaigns. The numbers don’t lie.
- Keep it creative: Boring doesn’t sell. Find ways to add personality, fun, or storytelling to your marketing.
- Nail the timing: Launch your campaigns when people are most likely to care. The right moment can amplify your results.
The future of ads is here
Not only are Walmart and NBCU’s actions smart, but they also set the bar for what advertising should be: demonstrating that ads can be experiences in and of themselves that inspire, connect, and drive people to act rather than just a distraction.
Here’s how you can follow their lead:
- Make it seamless: Remove every possible barrier for your audience. Whether it’s shoppable links, QR codes, or one-click checkout, make it so easy they can’t resist.
- Let data guide you: Don’t guess—measure everything. Use insights to refine your strategy and amplify what works.
- Keep it creative: Boring doesn’t sell. Find ways to tell a story, make people laugh, or grab their attention in unexpected ways.
- Nail the timing: Launch your campaigns when people are most likely to care. The right moment can multiply your impact.
The game has changed, and Walmart x NBCU just proved it. Ads are no longer just about selling—they’re about creating experiences that people want to be part of.
When you do that, you’re not just advertising—you’re building a connection. And in today’s world, that’s what drives real, lasting results.
FAQ’s
1. How can I make ads more engaging?
Create relatable, visually appealing content with clear messaging. Add interactive elements like polls or shoppable links to boost engagement.
2. What’s the best way to integrate shopping features?
Leverage shoppable posts, “buy now” buttons, or live shopping events. Ensure continuity in the process so that customers can shop without hindrance.
3. How do I measure digital marketing success?
Monitor KPIs such as click-through rates, conversions, and return on investment using analytics tools. Adjust strategies based on what performs best.