The Ads That Made Us: Hiluxes, Happy Vegemites, and not-so-happy Jan

Whether it’s a childhood jingle that you can still sing word for word, or a campaign that influences the way you work today, everyone has an ad that has really stuck with them.

Mediaweek has been asking the industry to take a trip down memory lane, to find out all about the ads that made us. 

Claire Fenner – CEO, Atomic 212°

Yellow Pages – Not Happy Jan

"Seared into my memory, this iconic line was repeated countless times in my household, for many years. I can’t say that about any other ad. My mum, my brother and I all used to repeat the line to make light of moments of frustration, like many Australians. I can’t think of another ad that has infiltrated Australian culture so quickly and so thoroughly. If you repeated those three simple words to most Australians over 30, their memory would take them straight back to that commercial."

Justin Groves – Creative Director, Spinach 

Toyota Hilux – Bugger

"I was told very early on, as most young agency creatives are, that the best ads are the simple ones. The original Toyota Hilux Bugger commercial is a simple idea, perfectly executed, that I will remember forever."

Nicole Boyd – Head of Client Service, The Media Store 

Happy Little Vegemite

"How could you not want to be a Happy Little Vegemite and grow up strong.  What an ad that has stood the test of time.  I can recite every word of the jingle to this day.  Can’t say I loved it that much as a child however it grew on me over time, and I love debating - spread thick or thin and in or out of the fridge, and all the different uses it has.  For me in the pantry and spread thin with lots of butter!"

See Also: The Ads That Made Us: Yellow Pages, yellow fruit, and unique choices

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Top Image: Claire Fenner, Justin Groves, Nicole Boyd