
14.10.2025
Brand Archetypes 09: The Jester
3 min read by Richard Williams
Table of Contents
Brand Archetypes: The Joy Factor of the Jester
When it comes to brand archetypes, most go for the usual suspects: the Hero, the Rebel, maybe the Creator. But letโs talk about the one whoโs not afraid to laugh out loud, break the rules, and steal the show while doing it: the Jester.
The Jester archetype brings joy, cheek, and irreverence into the branding world, and in todayโs content-saturated landscape, that energy is magic. Itโs bold. Itโs unforgettable. And when done right, it sparks real connection (and serious ROI).
Hereโs why itโs time to embrace the mischief. ๐

TL;DR: Donโt Be Boring ๐
- The Jester archetype is about being fearless with humour. Itโs the wink in your messaging, the twist in your campaigns, the spark that turns passive scrollers into engaged fans.
- Now, more than ever, that authenticity is a powerful tool for stopping scrolls and winning brand loyalty.ย
Who is the Jester? ๐ญโจ
The Jester archetype is playful, witty, and always in on the joke. They donโt lead with authority, they lead with charisma. Theyโre the ones making you smile, laugh, and remember.
Think:
- M&Mโs: cheeky mascots with a cult following
- Old Spice: chaotic masculinity turned into cultural commentary
- Skittles: full-blown surrealism that works
For these brands, their humour isnโt surface-level, itโs strategic. And it builds real audience loyalty by standing out in a sea of sameness.

Why the Jester Works ๐ง ๐ฅ
Humour is a shortcut to trust. When a brand makes you laugh, it immediately feels more human, more relatable, and way more memorable.
Jester brands thrive because they:
- Spark joy and connection ๐ค
- Break through the noise with boldness ๐ข
- Create shareable moments that travel fast ๐จ
- Show up as relatable, not rehearsed ๐
What Jester Branding Looks Like ๐
Letโs break it down. A true Jester brand:
- Uses witty copy and smart visual cues ๐จ
- Leans into unexpected formats and lo-fi content ๐น
- Isnโt afraid to be weird if it gets the point across ๐
- Builds playful, energetic campaigns that invite the audience in ๐
Take Old Spice. Their ads arenโt just funny, theyโre strategically surreal. Itโs intentional irreverence that drives brand recall and reappraisal.
How to Activate the Jester Archetype ๐ช
Hereโs how to bring that cheeky energy into your brand world:
1. Infuse humour into your tone of voice ๐
Ditch the corporate. Embrace wit.
2. Celebrate the absurd ๐ฆ
Weird is wonderful. Push boundaries, but stay on-brand.
3. Make your audience part of the joke ๐ค
Memes, reactive content, inside jokes. Build that cheeky rapport.
4. Play with your visuals ๐จ
Think colour, contrast, and chaos (the good kind).
5. Donโt overthink it ๐งโโ๏ธ
The Jester works best when it feels spontaneous (even if itโs all part of the plan).
Why Now Is the Time to Let Loose ๐
People are tired of polished perfection. They crave personality, humour, and honesty. The Jester archetype taps into that need and delivers big.
Whether youโre launching a new brand or refreshing an old one, leaning into this archetype can:
- Set you apart in a saturated market ๐
- Build a loyal, fun-loving community ๐ซถ
- Turn scrolls into stops, and laughs into likes, follows, and sales ๐
Want to bring some playful energy to your brand?
Letโs talk: ๐ hello@ourownbrand.co