If we live and breathe, if we walk around, watch TV, or movies, listen to the radio, or read magazines, then we are consumers.  Whether we’d like to think so or not.

It’s said that we are exposed to an average of 5000 ads a day. Crazy, no? This number increases almost every year. And while some ads don’t leave so much as a mark on us, others are much more memorable.

Love them or hate them, advertisements are powerful.  The good ones are destined to be remembered forever, while the forgettable ones are, er, well, forgettable.

Here at Pulp&Fiber, we are all about good branding. It’s our business. Our bread and butter. And, the only way to know where you’re going is to look back and see where you’re coming from. Where would we be without our past?

If we want to go on to develop great campaigns, we’ve got to pay homage to the ads that have shaped the industry.

With that said, here’s our list of the best five ads of all time.

Coca Cola Classic

Although I am part of the Generation Y movement, where technology reigns supreme, this Classic Coca Cola ad makes me long for generations past. While Coke branding was at the height of its game, they came out with this ad, calling on the power of nostalgia.   I would have to say that this by far one of my favourites. What’s to hate? Marilyn, Audrey, the Beatles? I’ll take a tall glass of “the greats” any day.

Absolut Vodka

Absolut is all about versatility. And at the same time, it’s all about simplicity. Designing their bottle using different shapes, and environments, has made the brand very recognizable. The same bottle, a-thousand-ways-over. Same, but totally different. This one in particular stands out because I am a film junkie, and Spielberg is one of the greatest directors of all time. Movie and a martini? Don’t mind if I do.

Dove

Dove has always stood out in the television ad world, but it wasn’t until this ad that I even noticed any of their print ads. The original campaign released a variety of characters including Wilma from the Flintstones and Jane Jetson, making it appealing to all ages, not to mention clever and eye catching. Not  only does it bring back memories of youthful Saturday mornings, but it also makes you stop wondering what Marge Simpson (she got her own ad, too!) would look like if she finally made an appointment at the salon. Bout time, honey.

Lego

Based on the original photograph titled ‘Lunch Atop a Skyscraper’ by Charles Ebbets, from 1932, this ad takes a creative spin on a timeless piece. I love how the concept represents the ‘builders of tomorrow’ by contrasting it with an image that is known to be legendary representing the builders of yesterday. Not to mention, this is a really cute picture in general. Very “Little Rascals”. I dig.

Old Spice

We all know the Old Spice commercials are some of the funniest commercials of all time. But this print ad really made me chuckle. Advertising a new Old Spice fragrance ‘Figi’, this ad makes me stare… daydream… drool… I mean it makes me want to jump right in… Umm, no actually that doesn’t sound right… I lost my train of thought… Wait, where were was I? ….Oh, right. Old Spice Figi. Great ad.  K. I’m sweating.

 

There are millions of ads out there, so what do you think? Did we pick the best ones? Which ads stand out to you?