The recent Volkswagen commercial got me thinking about TV adverts that have made me stop what I’m doing and watch – and more importantly remember them.
Here is my top 5:
1. Sony Bravia (the bouncy balls)
Featuring 250,000 brightly-coloured rubber balls (not computer generated) and made by Nicolai Fuglsig
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Why it stuck in my head: Visually the advert was magical and the soundtrack (Jose Gonzales – Heatbeats) just topped it off. Whenever I hear that track I think of rubber balls and the fact that they actually threw 250,000 of them down a hill.
2. The Cadbury’s Gorilla
This advert was the centre piece for a £6 million campaign launched by Cadbury Schweppes. It was created and directed by Juan Cabral and starred actor Garon Michael.
Why it stuck in my head:It was just such an unusual concept i.e. a gorilla, sitting at a drum kit and having a moment to a Phil Collins track. Somehow you manage get sucked into the moment too which is… good advertising I guess?
3. Cog – The Honda advert
Six hundred and six takes it took, and if they had been forced to do a 607th it is probable, if not downright certain, that one of the film crew would have snapped and gone mad.
Read the full Telegraph article here
Why it stuck in my head:It’s the ‘how did they do that’ factor I guess. Was it really done without any CGI?
4. You’ve been Tango’d
How time flys eh! This video dates back to 1992 and caused quite a stir. School kids were slapping each other on the ears across the country and some kids got hurt.
The advert was eventually pulled and they remade it with the orange man planting a kiss on his victim.
Made by Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury & Partners
Why it stuck in my head:I was at school when this advert came out so I probably had my fair share of ear slaps. You never forget the shame.
5. Smash Mash
I remember this advert from childhood and it dates back to the 1970′s.
The advert by Boase Massimi Pollitt featured Martians watching humans making mashed potato in the conventional way and laughing. Another Cadbury classic.
Why it stuck in my head:This advert is probably one of my earliest memories. I remember looking at the Martians and thinking they were made of spoons.
Extra: The Hovis bike advert
This advert needed a mention. I remember this advert because of the music (Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9) and it pops into my head every time someone talks about how things used to be in ‘their day’. The advert was directed by Ridley Scott (that’s right, Ridley Scott) back in the 1970′s and was recently remade as part of a Hovis relaunch.