retro Archives - THE BIG AD https://www.thebigad.com/tag/retro/ Best Ads to Help Generate Big Ideas Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:35:10 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.thebigad.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/262FaviconPencil-150x150.jpg retro Archives - THE BIG AD https://www.thebigad.com/tag/retro/ 32 32 If his arms were just 3 1/2 inches longer… | Better Vision Institute https://www.thebigad.com/2025/07/12/if-his-arms-were-just-3-1-2-inches-longer-better-vision-institute/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 21:35:10 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5524 Great headline–and it really supports the image and the insightful (no pun intended)introduction that immediately addresses the #1 reason people don’t get regular eye exams. And wonderfully folksy, conversational copy: “All that time we might have been seeing lots better.”

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]]> 8 Cheap Ways to Shut the Kids Up When You’re Driving | Mobil 1960s https://www.thebigad.com/2025/07/12/ways-to-keep-kids-quiet-when-youre-driving-mobil-1960s/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 15:49:53 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5519 Like all 1960 advertisements from DDB advertising agency (VW, Avis, etc.) this attention grabbing illustration matched with the all-lowercase, blunt headline creates powerful intrigue. (They chose the opposite of a safe, expected, and unremarkable headline like ‘8 Inexpensive to keep the kids quiet…’) And the conversational body copy is a joy to read: 8 cheap [...]

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]]> Keeping up with the Kremplers – VW commercial https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/15/keeping-up-with-the-kremplers-vw-commercial/ Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:04:09 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5102 It’s interesting how the narration in this classic commercial is written almost like a problem on a math test… Mr. Jones and Mr. Krempler were neighbors.
They each had $3,000.
With his money, Mr. Jones bought himself a $3,000 car.
With his money Mr. Krempler bought himself a new refrigerator, a new [...]

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]]> The most economical sportscar, just not the most powerful – VW Karmann Ghia https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/the-most-economical-sportscar-just-not-the-most-powerful-vw-karmann-ghia/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:23:22 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5079 The post The most economical sportscar, just not the most powerful – VW Karmann Ghia appeared first on THE BIG AD.

]]> You can’t count on anything these days – Fed Ex https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/you-cant-count-on-anything-these-days-fed-ex/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:21:52 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5076 The post You can’t count on anything these days – Fed Ex appeared first on THE BIG AD.

]]> The Junkyard commercial | Fram Oil Filters https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/the-junkyard-commercial-fram-oil-filters/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:16:24 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5073 The post The Junkyard commercial | Fram Oil Filters appeared first on THE BIG AD.

]]> The Funeral commercial – VW https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/the-funeral-commercial-vw/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:12:39 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5070 Here is the copy: I’m naturally stably being of sound mind and body to hereby bequeath the following: To my wife, Rose,
who spent money like there was no tomorrow, I leave 100 dollars
and a calendar. To my sons, Rodney and Victor,
who spent every dime I ever gave them on [...]

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]]> Go on living – Independent Life Insurance https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/go-on-living-independent-life-insurance/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:10:52 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5067 The post Go on living – Independent Life Insurance appeared first on THE BIG AD.

]]> Driving School commercial | AMC Rebel https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/driving-school-commercial-amc-rebel/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 20:03:24 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5064 The post Driving School commercial | AMC Rebel appeared first on THE BIG AD.

]]> Newlywed groom’s first home cooked meal | Alka Seltzer commercial https://www.thebigad.com/2023/09/13/newlywed-grooms-first-home-cooked-meal-alka-seltzer-commercial/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:11:32 +0000 https://www.thebigad.com/?p=5050 One of the best ads of all time (along with I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!, Mamma Mia, that’s a spicy meatball and Try it. You’ll like it!). Here is a bit of the history behind this commercial: https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/06/business/marvin-honig-an-ad-talent-is-dead-at-66.html And here is the copy:
Our first home-cooked meal. I’m glad you liked [...]

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