Why Fun Ads Convert: Kristine Mirelle’s Unexpected Strategy

Monday, July 07, 2025

Why are fun ads so effective?

Fun ads work because they disarm skepticism, engage curiosity, and create emotional connection—leading to higher conversion rates.

That’s not just theory. In this episode, I sat down with Kristine Mirelle who built a wildly successful campaign using humor, character, and surprise. The results? Sky-high engagement and a six-figure offer launch… all from an ad that started as a joke.

Let’s unpack what made it work—and why you might want to rethink everything you thought you knew about serious marketing.

CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

Why Fun Works in Direct Response Marketing

When we think about direct response, we often default to urgency, scarcity, or fear. Those tools work—but they’re not the only way.

Kristine Mirelle built her launch on fun. She used a character, exaggerated visuals, and a quirky tone to invite people into a serious offer. The surprising part? It didn’t weaken credibility. It strengthened it.

“Fun was the fastest way to show people we understood them—because we were willing to meet them where they were emotionally.”

Instead of pushing a product, the ad started with a pattern interrupt and a smile. And that built trust before the pitch even started.

The Funnel Strategy Behind a Fun Ad

Even though the ad felt lighthearted, it was backed by a solid content marketing funnel:

Hook – A weird character that made people stop scrolling

Story – A message that mirrored the audience’s pain (and made fun of it)

Offer – A clear, confident CTA once the audience felt emotionally seen

The humor wasn't just there for laughs—it was targeted empathy. It showed the audience, “We get it. We’ve been there. And we can help.”

Case Study: “The Gatekeeper” Ad Campaign

Kristine's ad introduced a character called “The Gatekeeper”—a satirical version of a corporate marketer who micromanaged every creative idea into the ground. He was stiff. Robotic. Obsessed with fonts and approval chains.

For anyone trying to sell bold ideas or launch fast-moving campaigns, this character was their nightmare.

“We weren’t selling against the gatekeeper—we were selling freedom from him.”

That clarity resonated immediately. The video caught fire inside their niche, getting organic shares, comments, and DMs before they ever ran paid traffic.

When they launched the full offer, it converted faster than any previous campaign. Why? Because the audience wasn’t just buying a product. They were joining a rebellion.

Why Fun Ads Are Effective in Conversion Marketing

Let’s break down the psychology here. According to the guest—and backed by years of testing inside my own funnels—fun ads work because they:

Interrupt Patterns - People are numb to polished ads. When something unexpected hits—like a sketch character or out-of-place costume—the brain resets. Attention follows.

Remove Resistance - A lighthearted tone signals that you’re not pressuring the viewer. This opens the door for curiosity, especially in high-ticket or B2B offers where buyers are used to being “sold.”

Build Trust Through Familiarity - Fun often mirrors the audience’s internal voice—the part that’s frustrated, overwhelmed, or skeptical. When you can joke with your prospect (not at them), they drop their guard.

How to Market Products Online with Humor That Converts

Kristine didn’t just wing it. Their team built a framework around creative marketing strategies that use fun intentionally:

Step 1: Choose a Central Emotion - Fun can mean absurd, clever, ironic, or self-deprecating. Pick one tone and stick with it.

Step 2: Identify the Friction - Where is your audience feeling misunderstood, constrained, or annoyed? That’s where humor will hit hardest.

Step 3: Create a Mirror Character - This could be an exaggerated version of your prospect—or their enemy. It’s not just comedy. It’s clarity through contrast.

Step 4: Script for Belief-Shifting - Use the fun moments to knock down objections, flip assumptions, and seed new beliefs.

Step 5: Make the CTA Feel Easy - Once they’re engaged, offer the next step with zero friction. It could be a free training, a quiz, or even just a “watch this.”

Fun ≠ Random: Guardrails That Keep It Strategic

Not every joke lands. And if the tone feels off, you risk losing authority. Here’s what Kristine got right:

The humor served the message, not the ego

The production was clean, but not overly polished

The offer didn’t feel like a bait-and-switch—it followed naturally from the setup

“The goal wasn’t to be funny. It was to be felt—and fun was the fastest path.”

5 Ways to Use Fun in Your Next Funnel

Here are five ideas pulled directly from the conversation—ready to plug into your next campaign:

Create an exaggerated customer persona - Give a name and outfit to your avatar’s inner critic or saboteur.

Use low-budget props intentionally - A dollar store wig or toy microphone isn’t unprofessional—it’s disarming.

Speak in parody - Spoof a corporate explainer video or mimic the buzzword salad of your competitors.

Drop into character mid-pitch - Switch tones mid-script to surprise your viewer and reset their attention.

Break the fourth wall - Let your ad acknowledge itself—“This is the part where I ask you to click something…”

Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Ready to transform your business and your relationships? Check out these essential resources:

Selling Online Challenge: Join Russell's 3-day virtual event where you'll learn the exact framework for "one-to-many" selling that can help you sell anything to anyone online - even if you're an introvert with zero followers!

ClickFunnels: The #1 funnel builder on the planet that helps you convert your online visitors into paying customers - with the easiest to use, fastest, and most optimized platform for turning clicks into cash!

Subscribe For More Business-Transforming Insights

Don't miss future episodes of The Russell Brunson Show where Russell shares his cutting-edge strategies for building and scaling businesses. Each episode delivers actionable insights from his experience building multiple 8-figure companies and coaching thousands of entrepreneurs.

CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fun ads in B2B or high-ticket sales?

Yes—especially there. These markets are often starved for emotional connection. A smart, playful ad can differentiate you from buttoned-up competitors.

What’s the biggest mistake with fun ads?

Going off-message. Humor is a hook, not the whole funnel. Always bridge back to the offer and belief shifts you need your customer to make.

Do I need to be naturally funny to make this work?

Not at all. You need to be emotionally observant. If you understand your customer’s daily frustrations, you can turn that into relatable humor.

How do I know if a fun ad will land?

Test short versions in Stories, Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Watch for DMs, shares, and comments. If people laugh and click, you’re onto something.

Final Thoughts

Fun isn’t fluff. It’s a strategic tool—when used right.

This episode reminded me that marketing isn’t just about clarity or persuasion. It’s about emotion—and fun is one of the fastest ways to earn trust, break resistance, and spark belief.

If you want to connect deeper, convert faster, and build a brand people talk about…

It might be time to stop being so serious—and start having some fun.