Flashback Friday: Campaigns We Miss

Flashback Friday: Campaigns We Miss

This story was originally published by

The following are some of our favourite marketing campaigns in recent years and why we miss them.




If marketing were easy, every business would be successful. But it takes a lot of creativity, commitment, and an unprecedented knowledge of your customer base to truly get it right.

Over the years, we have been impressed by many successful marketing campaigns, some of which we wish would make a comeback.

Old Spice Smells Like a Man

2010 changed the way we viewed Old Spice forever when advertising agency Wieden + Kennedy enlisted handsome Isaiah Mustafa to portray “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.”The commercial itself, which debuted during the Super Bowl, was a huge success, but Old Spice took their television success and moved it online with amazing results.

For two days, fans and consumers were able to ask questions of the Old Spice Man through social media, and receive personalized responses to their questions. Over 180 video responses were produced during those two days, the responses of which generated a social sharing frenzy that garnered millions of additional views for the Brand.

Because of their solid, creative, persona development and personal connection with consumers, Old Spice continues to gain substantial views year after year, of their commercials and their personalized responses. We miss the way this brand identified with its consumer by connecting directly with them over social media. And of course, who wouldn’t miss seeing Mustafa’s rock hard abs every evening?

4) Rock Like an Apple

Apple has long been applauded for its genius when it comes to marketing campaigns because of the impact and virality of their ads. Over the years Apple has taught us that you don’t need to be feature heavy, or even showcase your product at all in order to be successful.

In 2003 Apple turned out a campaign for their iPods that featured silhouettes of people dancing against bright solid backgrounds while holding iPods and listening through the iconic white earbuds. These ads were remarkable in that they never really showcased the product, but instead played off the cultural expression of music while keeping the images so simple they would make anyone take notice.

We miss the fun, lighthearted, simplicity of this campaign in an over-cluttered world of too much advertising. We also miss the clean, easy on the eyes billboards with bright happy colors and one silhouette human image that conveys more than 500 words ever could.

6) Riding in Ferris’ Wheels

In a brilliant bit of nostalgic marketing, Honda created a two and a half minute commercial starring Matthew Broderick in early 2012 that paralleled the iconic movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Honda released teasers prior to the full ad run to generate buzz and the spots went viral.

The campaign rode on the coat tails of the beloved movie, generating instant support and intrigue from fans across the globe, causing some to even speculate on whether or not the teasers were going to introduce a sequel to the movie. Not only do we miss the movie, but we miss this campaign for making us miss the movie and taking us back 25 years to something all too familiar.

For the full list, click here. 




Latest News

Opinion: The Tall Poppy’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma
  • Opinion

Opinion: The Tall Poppy’s Kate Smither On The DBA Dilemma

The science is not in question – smarter people than I, with far more data, have codified it. The logic is not up for grabs…it makes sense that creating mental shortcuts to your brand keeps you at the top of your mind. Lead image: Kate Smither – Owner, The Tall Poppy I wouldn’t even take […]

Opinion

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
African woman using a cellphone in an office alone
  • Marketing

Ortto & Tall Bob Partner To Deliver Better SMS & MMS For Australian & NZ Businesses

Two Australian-born technology providers have joined forces to bring more power and choice to marketers in Australia and New Zealand with mobile messaging that is more local, cost-effective, and integrated. It’s a partnership that sees two Australian software companies come together to deliver a world-class mobile-first solution for marketers building data-driven, personalised, omnichannel campaigns. While […]

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.
  • Media

Slew Of New Hires At Snap Inc.

Snap Inc. has announced a number of new recruits. B&T unaware if it positively impacted SEEK's share price.

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh
  • Technology

Reddit Gets Playful Brand Refresh

This will be of interest to any Reddit fans, graphic designers or lovers of an orange so bright it burns the retinas.

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market
  • Advertising

Zitcha & Broadsign Partner To Drive Global In-Store Retail Media Market

Zitcha and Broadsign have teamed up to integrate the Broadsign out-of-home (OOH) advertising platform with Zitcha’s retail media platform. The collaboration empowers retailers to maximise and monetise in-store digital display networks and enables advertising partners to easily view and book available in-store inventory and review campaign performance alongside the retailer’s other media channels. With the […]

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label
  • Marketing

Double Rainbouu & 7-Eleven Launch Exclusive Summer Fashion Label

Today, 7-Eleven has announced a one-of-a-kind collaboration with the popular Sydney-based anti-resort wear label Double Rainbouu. Dropping tomorrow, December 1, just in time for summer, this limited-edition capsule will infuse the fashion brand’s rebellious spirit with a distinctly iconic 7-Eleven flavour. The unisex collection features five must-have styles comprising two signature Hawaiian shirts, a peaked cap, a bucket hat […]

realestate.com.au Extends Major Partnership With Sydney Swans
  • Marketing

realestate.com.au Extends Major Partnership With Sydney Swans

Australian property site realestate.com.au has announced the extension of its partnership with the Sydney Swans for two further seasons. Lead image: Tom Harley, Owen Wilson and Tom McCartin realestate.com.au has partnered with the Swans since 2016 and has called the back of the club’s iconic guernsey home since becoming a major partner in 2020. This […]

Avenue C Nabs Paula Lopes From KINESSO
  • Marketing

Avenue C Nabs Paula Lopes From KINESSO

Leading independent media agency, Avenue C, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Paula Lopes as Digital Director. Paula, a seasoned professional with over 17 years experience in the media industry, joins Avenue C from her role as Chief Operations Manager of KINESSO (merger of Reprise, Matterkind, and Kinesso specialities).

oOh!Media Fuses People & Performance At National Annual Revenue & Growth Conference
  • Advertising

oOh!Media Fuses People & Performance At National Annual Revenue & Growth Conference

oOh!media brought together more than 260 of its sales, operations, commercial, marketing, finance and leadership teams last week for its national annual revenue and growth conference. Held over two days at the picturesque Rydges Resort in Hunter Valley, the event ‘Fusing people and performance’ focussed on how to build a high-performance mindset and how it […]

Free TV Welcomes Government’s Prominence & Anti-Siphoning Framework
  • Media

Free TV Welcomes Government’s Prominence & Anti-Siphoning Framework

Free TV has welcomed the federal government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all Australians can access their local free television services on connected TVs through the introduction of legislation to implement a prominence framework in coming days. Free TV CEO Bridget Fair (lead image) said: “Right now, Australian viewers are being steered in the direction […]