They Don’t Make Ads Like These Anymore

1. “Got Milk?” (1990s)

That iconic milk mustache and a question that became a cultural catchphrase. Simple, effective, and timeless. Now, ads use more flashy animations, interactive elements, or exaggerated taglines.

2. Coca-Cola’s Santa Claus (1930s)

The jolly, red-suited Santa we know today stems from Coca-Cola’s holiday campaigns, creating a lasting emotional tie to the season. Modern holiday ads, though visually stunning, often feel overly polished and less heartfelt.

3. “Think Small” by Volkswagen (1960s)

Clever, minimalist layout and witty copy. It respected the audience’s intelligence and rewarded them with humor. Today’s car ads? All flashy visuals and dramatic action scenes—they look cool but feel kind of same and miss that fun, clever vibe.

4. Marlboro Man (1950s)

The ad’s storytelling was visual, relying on a single image and a powerful association with adventure and the outdoors. These days, lifestyle ads go for bright colors and Instagram-perfect aesthetics. The iconic Marlboro Man’s simple, bold vibe would probably get lost in today’s flashy, crowded visuals.

5. Absolut Vodka’s Bottle Campaign (1980s-1990s)

Bottles turned into art—quirky, clever, and undeniably recognizable. Every ad was like a puzzle or a visual treat. Nowadays, ads focus more on grabbing attention quickly than creating something memorable.