Over the last couple decades, trading has gone from a select few traders in Chicago and New York to being accessible to nearly everyone. With accessibility comes advertising. To get noticed by the general public, brokers’ marketing departments are finding more and more creative ways of catching the public’s eye.
Here are 10 of our favorite commercials related to trading and why. After seeing our selections, be sure to tell us if we missed any of your favorites.
10. Scottrade
Founded in 1980 by Rodger Riney on the premise of providing investors with a better way to trade in the stock market, this commercial has fun looking at the “mass exodus” of customers going to Scottrade and the mass fallout of the brokers they are leaving.
9. TD Ameritrade
Featuring Joel McHale, star of the TV show "Community," TD Ameritrade focuses on what stocks originally were intended for — owning a portion of a company. Of course, just because you own stock in a company doesn't mean you have much say in business operations.
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8. TradeStation
When it comes to technology, flash and pizazz are not everything. TradeStation makes a nice contrast here explaining what it actually offers customers. By focusing on what actually is important (execution), it highlights just how ridiculous some marketing claims actually are.
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7. OBX
OK, this one takes a little while to get to the good stuff, but trust us, it's worth waiting for. We're still not sure how the commercial actually advertises the OBX product, but it is memorable and that's really what counts.
6. Charles Schwab
Apparently as part of this marketing campaign Charles Schwab asked people how they blow their cash. Here's how the conversation may have gone if they had had it with the founder of Charles Schwab. This is just one of the 20 finalists.
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5. BNP Paribas
This commercial really keys in on an aspect that has become even more important in light of recent events: Transparency. Knowing exactly what you can expect from a relationship is important both in your personal and financial lives.
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4. Forex.com
This woman knows exactly what she wants, and not just from her trading brokerage. Of course, knowing who can give you what you're looking for is the real challenge. Watch this one all the way through and you'll understand what we're talking about.
3. HSBC
Understanding local culture can open a lot of opportunities. Of course, in light of the most recent scandal involving HSBC, maybe they should have spent a little more time learning American culture and laws before exposing the U.S. to Iranian banks.
2. E*Trade
When we first saw the E*Trade baby commercials, we couldn't stop laughing. If for no other reason, this commercial belongs on the list for having the funniest baby.
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1. Barclays
While it's not a very funny commercial on its own, this becomes hilarious if you view it in the context of the Libor manipulation charges Barclays recently settled. We'd say a reality check is in order if Barclays wants to talk about insight and sound judgement.