The 18 Most Creative Ad Campaigns in History

Types of Advertisements

Advertising has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years, from ancient papyrus ads to the modern digital advertisements that are everywhere today. But what makes an ad campaign truly memorable? It's a combination of creativity, messaging, and often a bit of luck. Let's take a closer look at the different types of advertisements and how they work.

Advertising Campaign

An advertising campaign is a series of advertisements that are linked together by a common theme. They can be spread across different mediums, such as billboards, TV, radio, print, and digital. The goal of an advertising campaign is to build brand recognition, increase sales, or promote a specific product or service. A successful advertising campaign can lead to increased revenue, improved customer loyalty, and a higher profile for the company.

The Best Advertising Campaigns of All Time (And What Made Them Successful)

1. Nike: Just Do It.

Launched in 1988, the "Just Do It" campaign helped turn Nike into a global powerhouse. The slogan, along with the iconic swoosh logo, encouraged people to push past their limitations and achieve their goals. Since then, Nike has continued to innovate with groundbreaking ad campaigns that tap into the cultural zeitgeist, such as the recent Colin Kaepernick ad.

2. Coke: Share a Coke

In 2011, Coca-Cola launched a campaign that replaced the iconic logo on its bottles and cans with popular first names, urging people to "Share a Coke" with someone special. The campaign was a huge success, increasing sales by 2.5% in the U.S. and winning multiple awards.

3. Absolut Vodka: The Absolut Bottle

Beginning in the 1980s, Absolut Vodka started using art to make its advertisements more visually appealing. Rather than focusing on the drink itself, the ads feature the iconic Absolut bottle in a variety of colorful and imaginative settings. The campaign helped establish Absolut as a premium vodka brand and inspired countless imitators.

4. Anheuser-Busch: Whassup (1999)

The "Whassup" campaign was a cultural phenomenon in the late 90s and early 2000s, featuring a group of friends saying the catchphrase to each other over the phone. The ad resonated with audiences because it was relatable and funny, and it helped make Budweiser cool again.

5. Miller Lite: Great Taste, Less Filling (1974)

Debuting in the 1970s, the "Great Taste, Less Filling" campaign for Miller Lite beer featured a series of memorable and humorous ads. The campaign helped establish Miller Lite as a low-calorie alternative to other beers and helped the brand become one of the biggest in the world.

6. Always: #LikeaGirl (2015)

In 2015, Always launched a campaign aimed at empowering girls and changing the negative connotations associated with the phrase "like a girl." The ad featured young girls talking about what it means to do things "like a girl" and challenged viewers to think differently about gender stereotypes.

7. Volkswagen: Think Small (1960)

In the 1960s, Volkswagen was trying to establish itself as a viable option for American consumers. Rather than trying to compete with the big American car companies on their terms, Volkswagen embraced its small size and distinctive design with the "Think Small" campaign. The ads featured minimalist layouts and clever copy that highlighted the car's unique features.

8. Google: Year in Search (2017)

Google's annual Year in Search campaigns serve as both a reflection on the year that was and a celebration of the human spirit. The ads feature poignant moments from the past year, highlighting the moments of tragedy and triumph that defined it.

9. Dos Equis: The Most Interesting Man in the World (2006)

The "Most Interesting Man in the World" campaign for Dos Equis beer turned a relatively unknown brand into a household name. The ads featured actor Jonathan Goldsmith portraying a suave, debonair, and impossibly interesting man who always had a bottle of Dos Equis in hand. The campaign was a huge success, leading to a 22% increase in sales for the brand.

10. California Milk Processor Board: Got Milk? (1993)

The "Got Milk?" campaign for the California Milk Processor Board was simple but effective. The ads featured celebrities with milk mustaches and a tagline that encouraged people to drink more milk. The campaign helped reverse declining milk sales and became a cultural phenomenon in its own right.

11. Metro Trains: Dumb Ways to Die (2012)

The "Dumb Ways to Die" campaign for Metro Trains in Melbourne, Australia, used cute and catchy animation to spread a serious message: be safe around trains. The ad went viral and was shared all over social media, helping reduce accidents and increasing awareness.

12. Apple: Get a Mac (2006)

The "Get a Mac" campaign for Apple featured John Hodgman as a bumbling PC and Justin Long as a cool, hip Mac. The ads were funny, relatable, and helped establish Apple as a brand associated with innovation and design.

13. Clairol: Does She or Doesn't She? (1957)

The "Does She or Doesn't She?" campaign for Clairol hair dye was revolutionary because it acknowledged that women dyed their hair. Before this campaign, hair dye was seen as something shameful or secret. The ads helped establish Clairol as a brand for modern, empowered women.

14. De Beers: A Diamond is Forever (1999)

"A Diamond is Forever" is one of the most iconic ad campaigns of all time. The campaign, which began in the late 1940s, helped establish diamond engagement rings as a tradition and made De Beers the leader in the diamond industry. The campaign is still running today, nearly 80 years later.

15. Old Spice: The Man Your Man Could Smell Like (2010)

The "Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign for Old Spice featured actor Isaiah Mustafa in a series of hilarious ads that turned a boring men's grooming product into a must-have item. The campaign was a huge success, leading to a 107% increase in sales.

16. Wendy's: Where's the Beef? (1984)

The "Where's the Beef?" campaign for Wendy's was a masterclass in simple, catchy messaging. The ads featured a group of elderly ladies examining a tiny hamburger patty and asking, "Where's the beef?" The campaign helped establish Wendy's as a fast food chain with high-quality ingredients.

17. Procter & Gamble: Thank You, Mom (2012)

The "Thank You, Mom" campaign for Procter & Gamble was a tribute to the mothers of Olympic athletes. The ads were emotional and heartwarming, and they helped establish P&G as a company that cared about its customers and their families.

18. KFC: \"FCK\" (2018)

In 2018, KFC suffered a massive chicken shortage that led to widespread store closures. Rather than trying to brush the issue under the rug, KFC ran an ad featuring a picture of a KFC bucket with the letters "FCK" rearranged on the label. The ad was bold, irreverent, and showed that KFC was willing to admit its mistakes.

Use These Advertisement Examples to Inspire Your Own Ads

These campaigns are just a few examples of the many successful ad campaigns that have been launched over the years. They show that a great ad campaign can be creative, funny, emotional, or thought-provoking. If you're looking to launch your own ad campaign, take inspiration from these examples and think outside the box. The most successful campaigns are the ones that stand out and make an impact on audiences.