Chase Manhattan’s Hippo in Sneakers Ad (1970)

Nothing says “fast global bank” like a giant purple hippo in sneakers. This old Chase Manhattan ad turns a slow, lumbering animal into a visual joke about big-bank speed. Instead of denying they look huge and clunky, they lean into it so hard you can’t help but read the copy. That’s the move: use humor to make a heavyweight brand feel light on its feet.

Turning a Weakness Into the Joke

The illustration shows an enormous hippo, stuffed into tiny white sneakers, trying to hustle. Visually, that’s the stereotype of a big bank: slow, heavy, hard to move. The headline flips it: “When you’re a world bank like Chase, you try to move a little faster than everyone else.” The body copy admits they may “look big (perhaps even slow)” but claims they move fast for customers. The whole ad winks at you while still landing a serious benefit: big resources, quick action.

Humor Moves Heavy Brands Faster

Call out the elephant (or hippo) in the room so critics have nothing left to say.
Use an exaggerated, funny visual to embody your brand’s perceived flaw.
Contrast the goofy image with confident, specific proof in the copy.
Pair a playful headline with a clear, businesslike promise.
Let the joke make you human, then let the details make you credible.

How to Swipe This Move

Chase Manhattan uses a sneaker-wearing hippo to admit it looks huge while promising it still moves fast for customers.

Creative Variations

Turning a Weakness Into the Joke

Humor Moves Heavy Brands Faster

Call out the elephant (or hippo) in the room so critics have nothing left to say.
Use an exaggerated, funny visual to embody your brand’s perceived flaw.
Contrast the goofy image with confident, specific proof in the copy.
Pair a playful headline with a clear, businesslike promise.
Let the joke make you human, then let the details make you credible.