Unwrapping the Success of Snickers' Iconic 'You're Not You When You're Hungry' Slogan
- Nour Alhamwi
- Feb 13, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 26, 2023

Snickers is a well-known candy bar that has been a household name since 1930 when it was first introduced by Mars, Inc. However, in 2008, Snickers launched a campaign with the tagline “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” that changed the way people viewed the brand and propelled Snickers to the forefront of the confectionery industry. In this blog, we will explore the history, analysis, success, and impact of the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” slogan, as well as some important takeaways from its success.
Introduction to the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Slogan
The Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” slogan has been an integral part of the brand’s identity since it was first introduced in 2008. The slogan communicates the idea that when a person is hungry, they are not themselves and need a Snickers bar to help them get back to their normal state. It is used in all of Snickers’ advertising campaigns and is featured prominently on the packaging of the candy bar. The slogan is simple yet effective and speaks directly to the target audience.
The History of the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Slogan
The Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” slogan was first introduced in 2010 by BBDO, the advertising agency behind some of the most iconic campaigns in history. The slogan was created to embody the idea that Snickers is the perfect snack to help people get back to their normal selves when they’re not feeling their best. The slogan was first used in a television commercial that featured two men playing a game of basketball. As they’re playing, one of them gets so hungry that he starts to act erratically and eventually storms off the court. The other man then offers him a Snickers, which he gladly accepts. The commercial ended with the tagline “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry”. Since the initial campaign launch, Snickers has continued to use the slogan in its advertising campaigns. The slogan has been featured in television commercials, print ads, and even in Snickers’ own social media campaigns.
Analysis of the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Slogan
The success of the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” slogan can be attributed to its simplicity and relatability. The slogan speaks directly to the target audience and conveys the message that Snickers is the perfect snack to help them get back to their normal selves when they’re feeling less than their best. The slogan is also humorous, which helps engage the audience and make them more likely to remember the message. The slogan also has a sense of urgency to it, which encourages people to act quickly and purchase a Snickers bar.
The Success of the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Campaign
Since its launch in 2010, the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign has been an overwhelming success. The campaign has helped increase sales of the Snickers bar and has helped solidify the brand’s identity. The campaign has been so successful that it has been used in more than 50 countries around the world. It has even been featured in award-winning commercials and has been recognized as one of the most successful campaigns of all time.
The Impact of the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Slogan
The Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry" slogan has had a significant impact on the brand's identity and marketing strategy. The slogan was first introduced in 2010 and has since become a cultural phenomenon, appearing in numerous ads, memes, and even as a popular Halloween costume.
One of the key ways that the slogan has impacted the Snickers brand is by highlighting the product's unique selling proposition (USP). By emphasizing that people aren't themselves when they're hungry, the slogan positions Snickers as the solution to this problem. This creates a strong emotional connection between the consumer and the brand, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and sales.
Another way that the slogan has impacted the brand is by increasing its visibility and shareability. The catchy and memorable nature of the slogan has made it easy for people to remember and share with others, leading to increased word-of-mouth marketing and brand awareness. This has been further amplified by the brand's use of celebrity endorsements and partnerships, such as its famous Super Bowl ads featuring celebrities like Betty White and Danny Trejo.
The slogan has also helped the brand to stand out in a crowded and competitive market. By creating a unique and memorable brand message, Snickers has been able to differentiate itself from other candy bars and snacks, making it more likely that consumers will choose Snickers over its competitors.
Overall, the Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry" slogan has been a highly effective marketing tool for the brand, helping to increase its sales, visibility, and brand identity.
The Future of Snickers’ ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Campaign
The future of Snickers' "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign is promising, as the brand continues to expand its reach and explore new avenues for advertising. With the rise of social media and online marketing, Snickers has the opportunity to engage with a wider audience than ever before.
One potential direction for the campaign is to focus on personalized marketing. As technology improves, Snickers can use data to target individual consumers with ads that are tailored to their interests and needs. This can help the brand build stronger relationships with its customers and increase loyalty.
Another potential avenue for the campaign is to continue to experiment with new forms of advertising. For example, Snickers could partner with popular influencers or create interactive ads that allow consumers to engage with the brand in new and exciting ways.
Ultimately, the success of the "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign will depend on Snickers' ability to stay relevant and adapt to changing trends in the market. By continuing to innovate and experiment with new forms of advertising, the brand can continue to build on its strong reputation and maintain its position as one of the most recognizable and beloved candy brands in the world.
Important Takeaways from the Success of the Snickers ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ Slogan
Here are some important takeaways from the success of the Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry" slogan:
Know your audience: Snickers understood their target audience and created a campaign that resonated with them. By identifying a common problem (hunger affecting mood and behavior), they were able to create a relatable message.
Creativity is key: The use of humor and celebrities in the campaign helped to make it memorable and shareable. The clever tagline and humorous scenarios in the commercials made them stand out from other advertisements.
Consistency is important: Snickers has continued to use the "You're Not You When You're Hungry" slogan for over a decade, and it has become synonymous with the brand. Consistency in messaging can help build brand recognition and loyalty.
Adaptation is necessary: While the core message has remained the same, Snickers has adapted the campaign to different regions and cultures. For example, in the UK, the slogan was changed to "You're Not You When You're Hungry. Snickers Satisfies" to fit the British humor style.
Embrace social media: Snickers leveraged social media platforms to spread their message and engage with their audience. By creating shareable content and interacting with followers, they were able to create a community around the brand.
Overall, the success of the Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign shows the importance of understanding your audience, being creative, consistent, adaptable, and embracing social media to build a strong brand identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Snickers "You're Not You When You're Hungry" campaign has proven to be a huge success for the brand. By tapping into a universal human experience of hunger and its effects, Snickers has created a memorable and relatable message that has resonated with consumers around the world. The campaign's humorous and playful approach has helped Snickers stand out in a crowded advertising landscape and has allowed the brand to connect with a younger, more diverse audience.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Snickers continues to evolve the campaign to stay relevant and engaging for consumers. As the advertising industry continues to shift towards more personalized and targeted approaches, Snickers will need to find new ways to connect with consumers on a deeper level. However, with a strong brand identity and a proven track record of success, there's no doubt that Snickers will continue to be a major player in the candy market for years to come.
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