The Ads That Made Us: Old school sun safety, Don't Hold Back with Jeep and Anything Goes with Cadbury

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.

For the last edition of The Ads That Made Us of 2024, Mediaweek's editorial team shared the ads that made them.

Emma Shepherd, Editor-in-Chief

Me No Fry

The Me No Fry campaign was a brilliant mix of creative advertising and an important health message, securing its place in Australian pop culture. It’s one of those public health campaigns that got everything right—fun, catchy, and impossible to forget.

I still remember it so clearly from my childhood. Every time the ad came on, I’d be singing the jingle all day. The playful animations and upbeat vibe had me hooked as a kid, but the message about sun safety stuck with me too. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the simplest campaigns can have the biggest impact—and leave a lasting impression for years to come.

Jasper Baumann, Journalist

We're going to need a bigger boat

I have fond memories of this ad airing on nearly every ad break in 2014. I also have fond memories of my family absolutely hating it.

I think it did it’s job though, one decade later and the famous quote from Jaws is now remembered in my family as the quote from ‘the annoying kid from that Jeep ad’. Hats off to agency CumminsRoss (now cummins&partners).

Alisha Buaya, Agency Editor

A flake for Jake, A dream for Jean

A substantial part of my musical diet as a kid included the classic musical genre and the homage to Anything Goes in this Cadbury Favourites ad from the 2000s delighted me in my childhood.

So many things about this ad still stick with my today. The clever lyrical flair that leans into the Australian festive season stereotypes. The lead character sells the idea that Cadbury Favourites brings people together. But what stands out for me is watching an ensemble cast illustrate those moments in a big stage.

There is nothing like a big and fun song and dance number to bring the point together - Anything goes, with Cadbury Favourites (cue jazz hands).

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To take part in future editions of The Ads That Made Us, please email: ab@mediaweek.com.au

Past editions of The Ads That Made Us.

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Top image: Emma Shepherd, Jasper Baumann and Alisha Buaya

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