Storytelling framework in action

kara_susvilla
HubSpot Employee
HubSpot Employee

Regardless of the story you’re trying to tell and how you’re trying to tell it, storytelling has three essential elements:

  • Characters
  • Conflict
  • Resolution

Choose one of your favorite brands, and tell their business's story by answering the below questions.

  • Who is the brand?
  • Who is their audience?
  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?

*To learn more about this, check out The Power of Storytelling lesson via HubSpot Academy. 

7,607 Replies 7,607
ANesheiwat
Member
  • Who is the brand?

Skims, an American shapewear and clothing brand

 

  • Who is their audience?

Their audience is mostly young adult females, most active online

 

  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?

The challenge they are helping their target audience to overcome is inclusivity to all body types in comfortable sylish clothing. They get diverse body inclusive models, engage in social media, and have a big social media presence to achieve their goal

aryika15
Participant

Who is the brand?

Dot & Key is a modern, clean skincare brand focused on delivering natural, cruelty-free, and dermatologically tested products. They emphasize transparency, ingrdient safety, and effective solutions tailored for diverse skin needs.

Who is their audience?

Their audience primarily includes young adults and millennials who care about their skin health and prefer products made with clean, natural ingredients. These are skincare enthusiasts who seek effective yet gentle solutions and value ethical and sustainable beauty practices.

What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?

The main challenge Dot & Key addresses is the confusion and overwhelm that customers face when choosing skincare products—especially products that are effective but safe and free from harmful chemicals. Many people struggle with skin concerns like acne, dryness, sensitivity, or dullness but are wary of harsh treatments.

Dot & Key overcomes this challenge by formulating simple, transparent products with clinically backed ingrdients, making skincare approachable and trustworthy. They educate their audience on ingrdients and skin science through clear messaging and content, empowering customers to make informed choices and build effective skincare routines.

0 Upvotes
JSudarski
Participant

Storytelling Framework in action

 

 Who is the brand?

 

Spotify is a global music streaming platform that offers personalized audio experiences, including music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

 

 Who is their audience?

Spotify’s audience includes tech-savvy music lovers of all ages who value convenience, personalization, and on-demand content.

 

 What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome?

Many people struggle to discover new music they’ll actually love or find time to organize playlists.


How are they doing it?
Spotify uses algorithms and curated playlists to serve users personalized music recommendations and mood-based content, making discovery effortless and joyful.

rihab006
Participant
  • Who is the brand? Apple
  • Who is their audience?People who are seeking high-performance, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing technology.
  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome?They help users ensure the safety of their personal information and data, while also allowing them to cherish memories and enjoy moments regardless of time or place
  • How are they doing it?By providing high-quality, high-performance, and advanced technology that meets people's needs at accessible prices so that everyone can enjoy it.
  •  
NatAlleyCat
Member

Who is the brand? New Balance

Who is their audience? Consumers seeking an alternative to Nike, athletes who value performance and technical specifications but their lifestyle range also targets subculture and modern streetwear enthusiasts.

What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? Being able to express cultural identity and heritage through footwear and fashion that they see representations of in the media.
How are they doing it? Collaborations with cultural icon partners, diverse aesthetics that represent cultural relevance, stories told through those collaborations.

AShukla261
Participant

1. Who is the brand?
Gucci is a luxury fashion brand known for bold, stylish, and high-quality apparel and accessories.


2. Who is their audience?
Fashion-forward individuals who value exclusivity, creativity, and craftsmanship.


3. What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?
They help people express their unique identity and status through iconic, trend-setting designs that blend tradition with modern luxury.

DSingh209
Member

Who is the brand?
Nike – a global sportswear and footwear brand.

Who is their audience?
Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and everyday people who want to stay active and stylish.

What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome?
Lack of motivation, access to quality gear, and feeling excluded from fitness culture.

How are they doing it?
Through inspiring campaigns, innovative products, fitness apps, and inclusive messaging.

NMorales01
Member
  • Gymshark 
  • Fitness Enthusiasts, Body-Builders, new to fitness, or althleisure fans
  • Self-doubt and body insecurity. Lock of motivation. They are offering pop-up events, trend, well-fitted clothing
GSaldivar7
Participant

Who is the brand?Nike is a global athletic apparel and footwear company known for its innovative products, empowering messaging, and the iconic slogan, "Just Do It."

 

Who is their audience?
Nike’s audience ranges from professional athletes and sports enthusiasts to everyday individuals who value fitness, performance, and self-expression. Their market includes people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds who aspire to push their physical and personal boundaries.

 

What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?

 

Conflict:
Nike’s audience faces physical, mental, and emotional hurdles—fear of failure, lack of motivation, social barriers, or simply the challenge of getting started and staying consistent in their fitness journey.

 

Resolution:
Nike helps their audience overcome these obstacles through:

Empowering storytelling in their marketing—featuring real athletes and underdogs who rise against adversity.

Innovative products designed for performance, comfort, and style, catering to every type of body and sport.

Inclusive campaigns that inspire people regardless of background, gender, or ability (e.g., campaigns featuring Paralympians, women in sports, or social justice themes).

Digital tools and apps like the Nike Training Club and Nike Run Club, offering accessible coaching and community support.

 

In essence, Nike’s story isn’t just about shoes or clothes—it’s about turning self-doubt into determination, making the impossible feel possible, and empowering everyone to “Just Do It.”

nimyae
Member

Best advertisement ever winner of best ad 2014

Character :Key target groups include working professionals, parents, homeowners,Sole proprietorship and those nearing or in retirement.

 

Conflict:Families with financial responsibilities, particularly those with dependents.

 

Resolution:Social and cultural factors can influence attitudes towards life insurance and the perceived need for it. Major life events like education, homeownership,small scale business and retirement often trigger the need for life insurance.

0 Upvotes
KSingh41
Member

Brand : YETI a government initiative organized in each district for helping the youth to learn some skills that can help in their economically and educational development. 

Audience

Males and females above 18 

Challenge 

In many remote areas agriculture is the main source of income ,male candidates

  almost setlling in fields and not interested in learning computer and extea courses ,most female candidates are not

willing to spend time on learning skills

and doing jobs later on.

We overcome it through awareness drives, counseling, presenting them 

stories of students from previous batch. 

It's both the educational growth and economic growth as this provides possibility of a secured income that contribute in overall development of a particular nation

 

0 Upvotes
KKulhade
Participant

Brand - Krishna FunFactory

Audience - Infants,Children's and Teens and their Parents 

By Providing them some Educational Toys and helping them to grow their mindset

0 Upvotes
SRamos9
Member

The ringside and the audience are those in sports, mainly boxing, and the story is to help others with the equipment they may need.

0 Upvotes
FFaccioli
Member
  • Who is the brand? teenage engineering
  • Who is their audience? DJs and audio enthusiasts who also have a passion for great design and love having something that stands out
  •  What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?

    They help their audience: DJs and audio enthusiasts, overcome the challenge of finding equipment that not only performs at a professional level but also reflects their unique identity and style.

    They do this by offering high-quality, premium gear used by some of the best DJs in the world, including icons like Avicii and Swedish House Mafia. This gives users the confidence of using the same tools as the pros.

    At the same time, their revolutionary design stands out from everything else on the market. The equipment combines a bold, unconventional look with a clean, polished build—making it instantly recognizable as premium. It's both sturdy and simple to use, which reinforces the brand's culture of being different, authentic, and expressive.

NNikolenko
Member

Love this breakdown!
Thanks for sharing such a clear example. I really like how Teenage Engineering combines function with style — it’s a perfect mix of solving a technical challenge and building a strong emotional connection with the audience.

As a Pinterest strategist and content creator, I’m curious how this storytelling style could translate into visual content strategies. For example:
– Showing DJs using the gear in unexpected places
– Highlighting the contrast between "conventional" vs "bold" design
– Telling short-form stories on social media showing the evolution of creativity through equipment

Would love to hear how you think storytelling like this can be adapted into visual campaigns or Pinterest boards!

0 Upvotes
HilaryEze
Member
  • Who is the brand? Uncle Hilary 
  • Who is their audience? Children ages 3 to 15 and adults ages 16 to 50
  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it? Covering the gap in education and tutoring by providing solutions to kids to learn reading and writing from an early age, and simplify learning with easier teaching methods to reach the heart and mind of each individual regardless of age. We're doing this through online tutoring.
0 Upvotes
farahabogazia9
Member
  • Who is the brand? Adidas
  • Who is their audience? Sports lovers, young people and fashion enthusiasts who seek high performance, modern style and values like sustainability and diversity
  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?
    -impossible in nothing from showing challenges for people like Lionel Messi which shows that success is not about perfection but about resilience.
    - empowerment through sport, they always show how sports can improve mental health
Sna755
Member

Storytelling Framework in action

 

Who is the brand? Adidas 

 

Who is their audience?

Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and style-conscious youth — often 15–35 years old.

 

What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome?

Lack of access to high-performance, stylish, and ethical sportswear. 

Desire for self-expression through fashion and fitness

 

How are they doing it?

 

Collaborating with designers and influencers.

Promoting sustainability with recycled materials and ethical practices.

Balancing performance and fashion-forward designs. 

0 Upvotes
Giulianapena
Member
  • Who is the brand? Falkor
  • Who is their audience? Analysts and investigators working on the field of LEA, Cybersecurity, Fiancial investigations. The work involves solving fraud, crime, and cyberattack cases, and also work with OSINT.
  • What challenge are they helping their audience to overcome? How are they doing it?
    Overwhelmed by information.
    Limited time to finish an investigation
    Overwhelmed by too many tabs and tools 
    information chaos
sraza2
Member

Storytelling framework in action

Brand: Food Lover

Audience: My audience is people like me, students, working professionals, busy parents, or anyone who wants a good meal without worrying about hygiene or high prices. People who are tired of paying too much for too little, or eating food that doesn’t feel clean or fresh.
Resolution: A lot of people struggle to find food that’s tasty, clean, and filling, all on one plate and at a fair price. I’m here to change that.

Whether it’s through my food recommendations, home-cooked meals, or plans of a food business, I want to make sure people enjoy real food, made with care, served with honesty, and always worth their money.

0 Upvotes
zparekh2
Member

Brand: Masters Molty Foam

Audience: Adults aged 20 and above who need well-manufactured foams.

Resolution: Master Molty foam helps people choose foam to their liking and manufactures it according to their requirements. They establish a healthy relationship with their customers through their work and passion, persuading them to purchase again. Their product is top-notch providing best quality only.