Unless you work in marketing, odds are you’re not really a fan of ads. However, that doesn’t change the fact that if you consume media of any kind, you’re being bombarded by ads all day. And while a lot of them are pretty typical, every now and then, an ad pops up that leaves an impression. Read on for some of our favorite advertisements past and present, that changed what people thought they knew about advertising!
Bearded Lady Bourbon’s ‘Stay Strong’ Ad
Sometimes, to make a memorable ad, you have to get a little bold. That’s what bourbon maker Bearded Lady did when they released their “Stay Strong” campaign. This image was only one part of the campaign, but it might just be one of the more memorable. It shows an airport security officer lubing up her fingers to get ready to check for any paraphernalia. However, the most disturbing part of this image might just be the look on her face.
We imagine that having to go through something like this would be bad enough, but actually having it done by someone who seems like they’re enjoying it would just be a nightmare. It’s definitely something that sticks with you, which means it’s great marketing.
This Porsche Ad About Small Cars
There are a couple of different ads on this list that were released by Porsche, and for a good reason. The company just keeps making incredibly funny ads using clever graphic designs. This one, released in 1967, admits that their cars are a bit too small to do anything but drive in. However, the second part of the ad pretty much acknowledges the reason a lot of people buy a car like a Porsche.
It’s a pretty clever marketing move, and it’s also a really spicy ad to have been released all the way back in 1967. It looks like something that could be released today. In fact, if they decided to bring this one back, it would probably do really well.
FedEx’s ‘Neighbors’ Ads
There are few names in delivery that are reliable or as fast as FedEx. Apparently, the company knows this because they released this ad around 2010. It shows two neighbors, with the neighbor on top handing a package to the person below him. It’s supposed to represent how fast and efficient FedEx’s services are. And if you look closely, you can see where the graphic designer placed a map of the Americas on the building’s wall.
So, basically, the commercial is saying that shipping internationally is as easy and quick as handing a package to your neighbor, which seems like a simple statement, but it’s done cleverly here. It’s also worth mentioning that there were other versions of this ad that highlighted different continents, such as Asia.
Another Legendary Lego Ad
For whatever reason, Lego always releases memorable marketing ads and other forms of media. For example, all of their movies and games are always well-received. This ad is from 2018, and it kind of captures the essence of Lego pretty perfectly. It’s just a simple assortment of Legos, but with shadows shaped like boats, tanks, airplanes, and dinosaurs. It’s basically saying that you can build pretty much anything you can imagine with Legos.
And while we’re sure that the company actually has complex sets that allow you to build all of these, they only use a couple of simple blocks arranged to form silhouettes of the shadows.
Maybe The Best Dentistry Ad Of All Time?
If you’re trying to make a memorable commercial or ad, it usually always helps to infuse your marketing with a little humor. That’s what this dentistry ad did, and it just works. The first thing you notice when you look at this image is that the father is missing one of his front teeth. The ad team knew this, so they added a line that redirects viewers to notice that the man actually has a shaved eyebrow.
Hence, giving you a clear example of why it’s important to go to the dentist. In any other image, a shaved eyebrow would stand out like a sore thumb.
Bic’s Shaved Grass Advertisement
Advertisements don’t have to be confined to commercials or billboards. Sometimes they can take the form of giant outside installations, as with this Bic ad from 2008. It shows a giant razor resting on a board. In front of it is a line of freshly mowed grass that makes it look as if the razor cleanly cut the grass. Obviously, it’s meant to reflect how their razors can cleanly shave a face or another area of the body.
While advertisements like this might not gain a lot of initial exposure, they do have the potential to gain notoriety online or through T.V. if a news broadcast picks it up.
Ashton Martin’s Prenup Claim
Car ads are usually filled with all sorts of claims that end with something like this: “… than any other car.” However, this ad from Ashton Martin turns that same tired line on its head. Released in 2018, the company created this graphic design with the claim that their cars are included in more prenups than any other car out there. We can’t actually confirm this, but it would make a bit of sense.
Ashton Martin’s cars are gorgeous, and they come with a price tag to match, so it would make sense that any potential husband or wife would want to protect their favorite car.
Porsche’s ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ Ad
This might just be one of our favorite ads on this list. In 1983, Porsche released this advertisement with the results of the venerable 1983 Le Mans race. Porsche cars placed in all but one of the top 10 spots, which is honestly pretty amazing. The tagline “Nobody’s Perfect” is also really clever. The whole ad only comprises a few lines worth of text, but if it doesn’t make you want to go out and buy a Porsche, then nothing will.
Over the years, Le Mans has provided many a marketing team with ad-worthy material, but this might just be one of the best related to the race that we’ve seen.
Kit Kat’s Viral 2021 Ad
This ad actually started off as unofficial, but it soon went viral, and after the company saw it, they asked if they could use it on their own social media accounts. It was released by a designer named Sam Henning and it perfectly captures 2021. This was when nearly everyone that could, worked from home and had to deal with constant meetings and Zoom calls with fellow colleagues from work.
It also works pretty well with Kit Kat’s traditional marketing material, which usually always involves taking a break from something to go and snack on a Kit Kat bar.
FedEx’s Dig At Competitor, DHL
It’s not uncommon for companies to directly reference their competitors in their ads, but it usually does make for some entertaining material. This ad by FedEx was released in 2017, and it shows one of their trucks beating a DHL truck to a delivery. The second truck is painted on the side of the FedEx vehicle, but it’s a really clever way of telling customers that they’re quicker than their competitors.
If you look closely at the truck in front, it also has the words “Always First” written on the side, which helps send a clear message to both customers and DHL.