The Best Commercials of All Time

People at the office poke fun at me because I do not have an ad blocker on all of my computers.

The main reason is I like to see what people are creating in the world of advertisements. Heck, maybe someday I will create the best commercials of all time but for now, I am a lowly internet marketer. That aside because of AI, YouTube and others can try to figure out what you like in a customized way even though regulators are stepping in (and even Apple) to protect your identity and try to prevent marketers from sharing your information and your tastes. 

While I agree that it is spooky to see an ad after you were just talking about the product, we can all agree that we don’t want Alexa or Mark Zuckerberg to listen to our conversations. But the irony is that Advertising has influenced society so much that we look forward to seeing ads during the Superbowl and get disappointed when they are underwhelming. 

Many of my Gen X brethren remember times when Ad punchlines were part of our lexicon and even looked forward to certain ads because someone we liked was in it. Plus, no matter what generation we are talking about, we are influenced by advertising to buy things. Take for instance my 12-year-old son in 2022 wanting us to buy him Prime drinks from Logan Paul. It’s quite similar to Red Bull but is marketed as different from a face he… well I don’t know if he trusts Logan Paul but if Logan Paul is recommending it to his generation, it’s a face they recognize as “knowing” things and maybe it’s what is best for them. (for lack of a better way to explain it.)

So in the age of digital convenience, where ad-blockers shield everyone else’s screens but mine from the relentless barrage of marketing messages, it's completely 100% ironic how we, as a society, anticipate and embrace certain commercials. This irony is best exemplified by the Super Bowl. An event notorious for its high-energy games, it's equally, if not more, famous for its commercials. 

Since all I handle is Marketing now at Real Brave and our ability to reach people with a message to buy something, I thought it would be interesting to jump into the world of the best commercials of all time.

Super Bowl: Where Commercials Score Touchdowns

The Super Bowl, to me, is such an overhyped stupid event. I love sports, big baseball fan… I am a disgruntled NY Football Giants fan. Not to go on a rant, but the Super Bowl? It’s so superficial and hyped that by the time I have consumed the cold hamburger sitting on a pile of Doritos and potato salad, I want to go home and sit on the toilet bowl and forget this attack on my stomach. The Super Bowl is as much an advertising showcase as it is a sporting event. Brands pour millions into crafting memorable spots, hoping to strike gold. And many have. 

Over the years, Super Bowl commercials like Apple's "1984", Budweiser's "Frogs", and Doritos' fan-made ads have earned their places in the hall of fame. The enormous viewership ensures that successful commercials don't just get views—they get etched into cultural memory for a hefty price tag.

Coca-Cola: "Hey Kid, Catch!" 

• This heartwarming ad features “Mean” Joe Greene, a football star, sharing a touching moment with a young fan, symbolizing the magic of sharing.

Volkswagen: "The Force" 

• Showcasing a young boy dressed as Darth Vader trying to use the Force around his home, this ad charmingly reveals the car's remote start feature as his "successful" use of power.

Betty White's Snickers Ad 

• Demonstrating how hunger can change a person, this humorous spot features Betty White playing football and being tackled, only to revert to her young self after eating a Snickers.

Pepsi: "New Can" 

• In a humorous twist, a young boy sucks himself into a Pepsi bottle trying to get every last drop, demonstrating the irresistible taste of the drink.

Always: "Like a Girl" 

• This empowering commercial questions societal perceptions by comparing what it means to do things "like a girl" between young kids and adults, emphasizing confidence and challenging stereotypes.

*I also need to mention the Bud Bowl commercials from the 80’s. I can’t tell you how much of a big deal this was to an 11-year-old. Beer cans on a football field emulating famous football players? Hilarious. Beer cans being marketed subvertly to an 11-year-old? Somewhat troubling but still, big props to the vision. Bud Light is still pretty gross to me though (as a beer drinker)

Raising a Glass to Beer Commercials 

From Budweiser's Clydesdales to the unforgettable "Whassup" from Bud Light, beer commercials have not just promoted a product—they've often set trends. These advertisements understand their audience, resonating through humor, camaraderie, and sometimes sheer absurdity. The genius of such campaigns lies in their ability to transform a simple product pitch into a pop-culture phenomenon.

Heineken: "Walk-In Fridge" 

• This comedic ad juxtaposes a woman's excitement for her new walk-in closet with a man's thrill for his walk-in beer fridge, highlighting different priorities.

Carlsberg: "Probably the best" 

•  This series of ads played on the tagline "probably the best beer in the world," with various humorous scenarios suggesting Carlsberg's superiority.

Dos Equis: "The Most Interesting Man in the World" 

• Even to this day, my friends and I love to send memes to each other with this guy in it. These iconic commercials portray a suave, adventurous man living life to the fullest, always ending with "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis."

Miller Lite: "Great Taste, Less Filling" 

• Imagine being me at 11 years old and screaming this in a cafeteria. So awesome. These ads pit two groups against each other, each touting one of the beer's selling points, showcasing its dual appeal. 11-year-old fun with Alcohol.

Stella Artois: "Reassuringly Expensive" 

• This campaign humorously portrays scenarios where cheaper alternatives lead to regret, implying that Stella Artois, while pricier, is worth it.

Comedy Gold: Commercials That Sparked Trends 

Who could forget the overly enthusiastic ShamWow pitchman? Or the iconic unintentionally funny distress call of "I've fallen, and I can't get up!" from Life Alert? How about the eyebrow-raising exercises promised by the Shake Weight? These commercials might not have had the massive budgets of Super Bowl spots, but their blend of humor, absurdity, and sheer memorability made them mainstays in popular culture. They serve as a testament to the fact that you don’t always need grandiosity to make a lasting impact—sometimes, a dash of humor does the trick.

Geico: "Hump Day" 

• This hilarious ad features a camel excitedly wandering around an office, asking workers what day it is, celebrating that it's hump day.

Old Spice: "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" 

• Big props here to Old Spice. Once an “old man’s cologne”, they rebranded. You know what? I use all of their products and soaps because of that rebrand. Using rapid transitions and humor, this ad emphasizes how Old Spice can transform an ordinary man into the ultimate charismatic figure.

Dollar Shave Club: "Our Blades Are F***ing Great" 

• I first saw this commercial online and spit out my coffee. The company's CEO takes viewers on a humorous, irreverent tour of their warehouse, emphasizing their cost-effective and high-quality razors.

Progressive: "Flo"  

• I still hate these commercials but they are iconic for sure. These ads introduce Flo, the perky and quirky insurance store employee, who breaks down insurance benefits with humor and charm.

Clash of Clans: "Revenge" 

• Featuring Liam Neeson humorously vowing revenge against a rival player in his particular set of skills tone, this ad brings movie-level drama to mobile gaming.

Masterpieces in 30 Seconds: Award-Winning Concepts 

Some commercials transcend marketing to become true works of art. Apple's "1984", directed by Ridley Scott, is often heralded as one of the best commercials of all time. Its powerful imagery and clear message were not only promotional but revolutionary. Over the years, spots like "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" by Old Spice and "Think Different" by Apple have been lauded not just for their effectiveness but for their creativity and originality. These are the commercials that don’t just sell products; they sell ideas.

Nike: "Just Do It"  

• Nike is actually an influence on how I am marketing my social brand but that is for another time. This motivational series shows various athletes, both professional and amateur, pushing through their limits, emphasizing the brand's call to action.

Cadbury: "Gorilla" 

• This unexpected ad simply showcases a gorilla passionately drumming to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight," emphasizing the joy in the unexpected.

Chipotle: "Back to the Start"  

• In this animated ad, a farmer rethinks his industrial-scale farming methods, promoting Chipotle's commitment to sustainable and humane farming.

Honda: "Cog" 

• An intricately choreographed Rube Goldberg machine made of Honda car parts demonstrates the brand's precision and innovation.

Levi’s: "America" 

• Through powerful visuals and poetry, this ad reflects on America's diverse and pioneering spirit, aligning with Levi's own legacy.

While many of us might claim disdain for commercials or better known as interruption marketing, there's no denying the power and impact of the best commercials of all time. They make us laugh, think, and sometimes, even change the way we see the world. And in an age where we can choose to skip ads, that's a feat worth saying Whassup!