If you understand RC Cola’s newest commercial, you might be taking the wrong meds. If you understand why it is weird, you have a keen grasp on advertising strategy. RC Cola is a soft drink – a cola!! soft drink – trying to reach Gen Z. This mock soap opera with a zany horror twist is more than likely get Gen Z’s attention – and make the brand cool. Just in case utter madness isn’t enough, the commercial is built around the word, basta, which means “whatever” in the Philippines’ Tagalog dialect, and is recognised as a Gen Z attitude.
Bizarre ads are part of RC Cola’s calling card. The new commercial follows this one, which also stands on “basta” foundations:
Making the commercial even cooler is an explainer (of sorts):
