100 Best Ads Of All Time
Part 5 of 10 (Ads 41–50)
This section of the collection leans into scale, spectacle and long-term brand building. These ads show how ambition, cultural moments and confidence in an idea can turn campaigns into talking points far beyond their media spend.
41. Steph Curry – Moon Shooting Billboard
This is truly impressive and took a team of astrologers to measure the trajectory of the moon with the height and position of the billboard.
Even more amazing, the idea came from the message of his book Shot Ready, about being prepared before the moment arrives. The creative team had to do exactly that.
What we can learn:
Work backwards from your campaign message. Get deep into the details. Even the making of the ad can become part of the story.
42. Toys R Us – Christmas Classic
A Christmas classic that, like the Coca-Cola ad, became synonymous with the season. The jingle and Geoffrey the Giraffe are instantly recognisable.
What we can learn:
Jingles, when done well, stick. Lean into seasonality and repetition to build memory.
43. Louis Vuitton – Fifth Avenue Store Wrap
Surely the biggest physical ad ever. Louis Vuitton turned their flagship store into their flagship product. The attention to detail is insane.
Blending high fashion, dining and culture across multiple floors, the store itself becomes the brand.
What we can learn:
If you have a standout product, think about how to turn it into an experience for your customers.
44. Gymshark – Shoplifting Billboard
A highly creative interactive billboard that went super viral. The conversation exploded because people could physically engage with it.
What we can learn:
Double meaning and interaction cut through the noise. If people can take part, they will share it.
45. Dollar Shave Club – Launch Ad
This ad is great. The tongue-in-cheek way they sell the product while exposing competitor weaknesses is genius.
What we can learn:
If you’re clever, you can highlight your USP and your competitor’s weakness in one hit.
46. The Economist – I Never Read The Economist
A legendary print series. Iconic red and white design and short copy that instantly positions who the product is for and who it isn’t.
This campaign ran for 14 years, which says everything.
What we can learn:
Don’t be afraid to say who your product is not for. It sharpens your positioning.
47. Pepsi – Vending Machine Ad
Another great competitor campaign. When Coke sold four times more cola than Pepsi, Pepsi leaned into it with humour rather than defensiveness.
What we can learn:
Use competitor news creatively. Humour reframes the narrative without sounding bitter.
48. Powerhouse Gym – Construction Billboard
This is so cool. Using live construction work as part of the ad message turns disruption into the idea itself.
What we can learn:
Be aware of your surroundings. Sometimes the environment is the creative.
49. John Lewis – The Hare and The Bear
Another tear-jerker from John Lewis. The vocals hit differently and the nostalgic animation pulls on every heartstring.
What we can learn:
Lean into nostalgia creatively and emotionally. Feeling beats selling.
50. Nike – Why Do It
Nike take one of the most famous taglines ever and flip it by asking why. Narrated by Tyler, The Creator, with perfect pacing and restraint.
What we can learn:
Show the why behind your product. Sometimes asking the right question is more powerful than telling people what to do.