A normal day in the office with the team turned into a nostalgic trip down memory lane for us recently. Here, account director Becky Woodward looks at how powerful adverts can be – especially when we can remember them word for word decades later.
Adverts can stand the test of time due to their memorability, creativity and ability to connect with their audience. Whether they effectively use catchy jingles, strong visuals or relatable scenarios, they can leave a lasting impression.
Here’s seven adverts dating from 1973-1991 that we remembered during our trip down memory lane and why they are so memorable.
- Milkybar – “The Milkybar kid” – 1991
The “Milkybar Kid” became an instantly recognizable figure, with the child cowboy making the brand more relatable to younger audiences. The jingle was simple and catchy, making it easy for people to remember.
- The Milk Marketing Board – “Accrington Stanley, who are they?” – 1989
This advert used humour to build curiosity and engagement, drawing attention to the brand and sparking conversation. It also tapped into the football culture at the time, creating a relatable connection with viewers.
- Milky Way – “The red car and the blue car had a race”– 1989
Milky Way used a simple narrative that was engaging and easy to follow, especially for children. The repetitive nature of the “red car, blue car” line also made it fun to watch and easy to recall for all ages.
- Shake n Vac – “Three Fragrances” – 1985
The Shake n Vac advert made cleaning seem fun, which was a major shift in how such mundane tasks were usually presented in the 80s. The jingle became instantly recognisable and people (like me and Clare!) still remember the words and tune decades later.
- Club – “If you like a lot of chocolate” – 1985
Repetition of the phrase “If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit, join our club” meant it became a classic slogan that stuck with consumers. This advert delivered a very clear and simple, catchy message about what the product offered.
- Trio – “Too loud Susie” – 1984
The Trio advert used humour to highlight the experience of enjoying their chocolate bar, with the running joke about Susie’s loudness. The characters in the advert were also people that viewers could relate to, making the advert and product more personable.
- R Whites Lemonade – “The Secret Lemonade Drinker” – 1973
R Whites Lemonade’s secretive approach in this advert kept people guessing and made the advert interesting. The phrase “the secret lemonade drinker” was catchy and created a buzz and conversations around the product.
What can we learn from these adverts?
Although these adverts are all from a few years ago and the advertising sphere has advanced a lot since then, we can still learn from their success and include some of their strategy in advertising campaigns today.
Some of these adverts stood out because they involved something unique. Being bold and doing something different from what is expected can help a brand capture attention.
Humour can make an advert more engaging and memorable, but it needs to be carefully balanced with the brand’s values and audience’s expectations.
Music and jingles that get stuck in people’s heads can be incredibly effective for brand recall. Plus, repeating key lines or phrases helps embed them in the audience’s memory.
Even a simple story can make a lasting impression if told in an engaging way. But be sure to keep the message simple and direct so that it resonates with your audience and sticks in their minds.
And yes, most of these adverts involve chocolate – that could well be another reason why they are memorable!
If you are looking to create campaigns that not only stand out, but are also memorable for years to come, we can make sure they reach the right audience. Send us an email: hello@prominent-media.co.uk.