The Best Ads of All Time?

An excerpt from CreativeBlog - 

The definitive best adverts of all time list, as chosen by experts

By Tom May 

Ranging from the 1930s to the 2020s, we select the best ads of all time, and explain why they work.

(Image credit: Guinness, Old Spice, Always, US Government,
Coca-Cola, Hovis, Malboro, Dove, Budweiser, Apple)

 These stellar ads from across the ages have a lot to teach creatives today. That's why over the last few months we've been pulling together guides to the finest commercials of previous decades, from the 1930s to the 2020s. 

From whimsical illustrations to blockbuster TV ads to groundbreaking social media campaigns, these adverts have not only captivated audiences but also shaped the very fabric of our society. Now, in this article, we're reaching into our repository of the best adverts by decade to bring you a carefully curated selection of the best ads overall.

So join us as we delve into iconic campaigns spanning almost a century, each a testament to the power of storytelling, imagery and the human experience. These adverts go beyond just selling products to become cultural touchstones, reminding us of the profound impact that advertising can have on our perceptions, beliefs, and aspirations – and some already appear in our best print ads list, of course.

09. Levi's 501: Launderetee (1985)

               

https://youtu.be/wT4DR_ae_4o?si=LkXhmr77WrSVCam3

Is this the sexiest ad of all time? Created by Levi's advertising agency BBH, it featured model Nick Kamen stripping down to his boxers in a 1950s-style laundromat to the sound of Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'.

This combination of classic Motown, a heartthrob model, and the nostalgic all-American setting captured the rebellious spirit of jeans in their prime era. It was an instant cultural phenomenon.

“With young potential buyers romanticising the ‘50 and ’60s and the stars of that era, setting this commercial in that time was the perfect move to grab their attention," explains director Caroline Hajny. “This ad played a huge role in reviving Levi’s as a brand, cementing it as a desirable staple piece in every young person’s wardrobe. Sales were up by 800% as a result, so if that doesn’t speak for itself, I don’t know what will.”

18. Nike: You Can't Stop Sport (2020)

               

https://youtu.be/pcXTnyCmQbg?si=owAo__nIOtEhiXuR

The advertising industry offered many poignant responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this Emmy-winning ad, crafted by Wieden + Kennedy is our favourite. It brilliantly interwove various sporting moments and diverse participants together through a split-screen format. And this was accompanied by a stirring narration that acknowledged the widespread cancellation of events while instilling optimism about the enduring spirit of sports.

"This ad wasn’t just a beacon of hope in the midst of a pandemic," says Shelley Adamson, creative director at UNIT9. "It was also a work of visual mastery, at a time before Gen AI was widely available to help. A message of togetherness is reinforced by the seamless joining of contextually different frames, while perseverance is embodied in the knowledge someone probably spent hundreds of hours scouring through footage to find just the right moments."

Check out the rest at . . . 

https://www.creativebloq.com/features/best-adverts-of-all-time