100 Best Ads Of All Time
Part 6 of 10 (Ads 51–60)
This part of the collection leans heavily into culture, emotion and humour. Many of these ads work because they feel human, personal or simply fun, showing that attention and feeling often matter more than hard selling.
51. Starbucks – Names on Cups
We all know this is a brilliant marketing tactic and it still generates tons of posts every day, but the original launch was genius. Starbucks took a problem, how impersonal the world can feel, and made it about the individual.
One of the best lessons from How To Win Friends and Influence People is that a person’s name is one of the main things they like to hear.
What we can learn:
Get personal with your customers.
52. Duracell – I Love You Baby Girl
Get ready, this one is a tear jerker. An emotionally charged story that positions Duracell as the trusted choice for people when it really matters.
What we can learn:
Lean into emotional storytelling. Many buying decisions are based on emotion, just make sure it feels authentic.
53. Gucci and Tom Ford
Always close to the edge. The G shaped pubes caused major headlines and sparked huge conversation. Love it or hate it, people talked about it.
What we can learn:
Sex sells if it works for your brand. Don’t be afraid to make waves. Vanilla advertising fades into the background.
54. Supermarket – Lonely Grandad
A Christmas tear-jerker that’s been nominated for multiple awards and parodied many times. The grandad’s only way to bring his family together is by faking his own death.
What we can learn:
Tell stories that make people think as well as feel. Dark humour can work when it’s tied clearly to the message.
55. Last Rolo
Amazing. They don’t make ads like this anymore. The tagline feels like it’s outlasted the sweet itself.
What we can learn:
Brands used to be willing to lean into humour and accept backlash. Being close to the edge often makes ads memorable.
56. Peppa Pig – Mummy Pig Is Pregnant
A little different to normal but genius marketing by the Peppa Pig team to launch a new series by taking the cartoon into real life.
What we can learn:
Look for ways to mix worlds. Real life and fiction together can create huge attention.
57. Volkswagen – Think Small
One of the ads credited with changing advertising forever. The use of white space and honesty was completely against the norm at the time.
What we can learn:
There is power in simplicity. White space, restraint and honesty can be more disruptive than noise.
58. Xbox – Life Is Short
This ad is epic. I remember first seeing it and loving how they delivered the message in such a fun and unexpected way.
What we can learn:
Tell your campaign message in fun ways. Entertainment helps ideas stick.
59. Levi’s – Laundrette
A classic ad with a great soundtrack. Levi’s position the guy as a sex symbol, helped by the clothes he wears.
What we can learn:
Figure out your brand position and tell the story through the character, not the product.
60. Doritos – Time Machine
Pure fun. A simple idea built entirely around humour, which is why so many people love it.
What we can learn:
Lean into humour when it fits your brand.