The Ads That Made Us: Big ads, Black and white ads, and Initially banned ads

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. 

Sam Buchanan – CEO, Independent Media Agencies of Australia

Carlton Draught ‘Big Ad’

"The 2005 Carlton Draught ‘Big Ad’ campaign was a first of its kind - an impressively and ridiculously over the top production, using a take of the famous ‘O Fortuna’ song. It’s a clever parody of all those ads with massive budgets – not taking itself too seriously and with the brilliant last lyric 'This ad better sell some bloody beer!'"

Barry O’Brien – Chairman, Atomic 212°

Toyota Hi Lux “Bugger” ad 

"Initially banned in NZ and then approved, the ad ran in many countries (including here) and created an incredible amount of water cooler conversations, all of which started with “Have you seen that TV ad with the cattle dog and the bloke saying ‘Bugger’?” It was warm, funny, very memorable and really sold the toughness and durability of Toyota Hi Lux. Almost a quarter of a century later, people still remember it."

Catherine Edghill – general manager, Hatched Sydney

Guinness Surfer ad 

"Bearing in mind I was eight in 1999 and have the memory of a goldfish, nobody is more astonished than me that this ad stuck in my brain.

"It’s an ad I watched with my Dad, again and again and again. The horses, the music, the black and white. In its simplest form, it was pure, unadulterated entertainment.

"On looking it up again for this column, turns out it’s very well acclaimed, as it should be.

"I now see it through new eyes, the link to the brand is exceptional, imagine it in cinema. Oooft."

See Also: The Ads That Made Us: Aussie icons, ink in chalk, and incredibly clever men

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Top Image: Sam Buchanan, Barry O’Brien, Catherine Edghill