5 Best Marketing-Related Movies That Every Marketer Must Watch

Most people perceive movies as merely an escape from the drudgeries of the real world. However, movies can also play a vital role in helping you reflect on your career and teaching you valuable lessons. And since marketing is all that we care about, why not mix business with pleasure to make the most of the unique opportunities that movies present us with?

So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best advertising-related movies that every marketer must watch to learn a thing or two about the world of marketing.

1. Moneyball (2011)

This 2011 movie starring Brad Pitt throws light at the beginnings of an analytical approach adopted by Oakland A’s that helped them win 20 games straight in the American League. What’s really surprising was that they achieved this feat while having the lowest payroll in an industry that’s dominated by teams with huge payrolls.

The key to their success was ‘data-driven decisions’. By signing up the most undervalued players based on metrics that indicated success, they got the best result for every dollar that they spent. And that’s how baseball is similar to marketing. Instead of relying purely on intuition, marketing decisions must be based on data, which wasn’t the case until a few years ago when intuition ruled key decision-making. But thanks to a few trailblazers, data has today become the most significant element in the decision-making process- not just in marketing but baseball too.

The movie is an excellent example of how leveraging data in decision-making can help you deliver the best results even if you’re low on budget.

2. The Joneses (2009)

This 2009 movie is a must-watch for all marketers as it lays bare the idea that everything that you see on the surface isn’t true.

The movie revolves around the Joneses family which would any day fit into the description of a “sweet, small family”. But too bad, it’s all fake as they are a group of professional salespeople in reality who merely use their influence to promote products in their community. Their lifestyle is seen as inspiring by others, who purchase the same products as them to identify as a “successful family”.

The movie sheds light on the unique peer pressure one feels while coming across this kind of marketing, especially from people that they are close to. If you want some lessons in influencer marketing, go watch this movie!

3. Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Here’s another epic movie that all marketers must watch! The movie teaches us that “anything” can be marketed as long as you’re doing it right.

The movie showcases a smart tobacco lobbyist who is gifted with the talent of persuasion. Throughout the movie, viewers watch in disbelief as he defends the tobacco industry at various forums, including at a Senate hearing. But while some people may view the movie as merely an advertisement for cigarettes, the real message is much more complex. The movie underlines the fact that as long as you know to spin a product the right way, you can always convince people that they need it even if it ends up killing them. It’s all about the messaging and overall branding!

4. The Greatest Movie Ever Sold (2011)

This 2011 documentary movie starring Morgan Spurlock and Quentin Tarantino is recommended as a guide to integrated marketing.

The movie offers detailed insights into how companies get their products in front of viewers through product placement in movies and TV shows. On the other hand, media companies enjoy sponsorships in exchange for making their movies. What’s more, Spurlock even showcased the products from brands that invested in his movie to subsidize his project! Now that’s what you call a marketing genius!

5. Wag The Dog (1997)

And here’s my favorite marketing-related movie! Just like the movie Thank You for Smoking, this 1997 movie starring Dustin Hoffman and Robert de Niro also teaches us a valuable lesson i.e., people will believe what you want them to believe as long as you know how to convince them.

The movie shows the President of the United States being caught red-handed in a sex scandal just days before the election is to take place. Left with no choice, he hires a top spin doctor to divert the public attention away from the scandal. The main lesson that you learn from the movie is that if done right, marketing can help you make people believe in anything, distract them from important issues, and shape their perception.

Wrapping Up

And that was a wrap of the best marketing-related movies. Marketing can be a potent tool in the hand of marketers and help them project something in a much better light than in reality. All that you need is to understand how to market it.

We’ll be back with more awesome blogs for you. Till then, stay tuned!