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50 Fascinating 'Vintage Advertisements' That Might Not Go Down Well Today (New Pics)
Home & DesignNOV 17, 2023

50 Fascinating 'Vintage Advertisements' That Might Not Go Down Well Today (New Pics)

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The world of advertising is utterly fascinating. Sure, being bombarded by ads every single moment throughout your day can be annoying. But if they’re genuinely creative and informative, then you might just stop and look. Even if you don’t plan on buying the product or service, you can allow yourself to be entertained. 
The r/vintageads online community is a wonderful niche on the internet. There, you’ll find interesting examples of what advertisements used to look like decades and decades ago. Some of them seem goofy and even downright weird in the eyes of modern audiences. Though they seem simply baffling, they give us a glimpse into bygone eras and the values and behaviors of people living in the past. Scroll down to check out the best and strangest the vintage world has to offer.
Bored Panda was interested in finding out more about giving ads greater longevity, as well as what current trends in advertising look like, so we reached out to marketing psychology speaker Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the human nature blog. You'll find his insights as you read on.

#1 Honestly The Graffiti Is Better

Honestly The Graffiti Is Better
255points

#2 Dad, You've Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987

Dad, You've Got To Help Me! Responsible Drinking Message From Seagram Company Ltd, 1987
199points

#3 They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958

They All Got The Vaccine.. Except Dad, 1958
193points

We asked Johnson about the things that could give an advertisement greater longevity, to make it relevant for longer. He explained that there's no guarantee that an ad will be relevant in the future. However, if you want to increase its longevity, one way is to see whether it would be relevant in the past.

"If you want an ad to resonate 20 years in the future, it should be designed in such a way that audiences 20 years in the past can relate to it. To this end, creating a timeless ad involves a delicate balance between innovation and universality," the marketing psychology speaker explained.

"While creativity is crucial, it's essential to tap into enduring human emotions and values that transcend temporal trends. A successful ad resonates not only with the current zeitgeist but also strikes a chord with timeless themes that withstand the test of cultural evolution."

#4 Asbestos Ad, 1970s

Asbestos Ad, 1970s
177points

#5 Man Looking For A Wife In 1865

Man Looking For A Wife In 1865
160points

#6 Kikkoman Soy Sauce Promotional Matches (1950s?)

Kikkoman Soy Sauce Promotional Matches (1950s?)
145points

According to the marketing psychology speaker and host of the human nature blog, simplicity often proves to be a virtue. "A clear, memorable message can endure in the minds of viewers across generations. Ultimately, an ad's ability to endure lies in its capacity to evoke emotions, tell a compelling story, and embed itself in the collective consciousness, transcending the fleeting preferences of any given era."

Bored Panda inquired about current trends in advertising and how the industry might change in the near future, as well. Johnson was kind enough to shed some light on this. He noted the importance of authenticity, personalization, and influencer marketing.

#7 Don't Smoke, Live Long And Prosper, 1989

Don't Smoke, Live Long And Prosper, 1989
Report
144points

#8 Daihatsu Hijet Ad From 1996

Daihatsu Hijet Ad From 1996
135points

#9 Modern Home Floor Plan, Sears 1934 Catalog

Modern Home Floor Plan, Sears 1934 Catalog
126points

"People have been saying 'advertising is dead' for decades now. And while the industry shows no signs of dying off completely, it continues to go through some substantial changes," he told us.

"For one, authenticity is paramount, with consumers increasingly valuing brands that embrace genuine storytelling and transparency. Personalization is another key aspect, as targeted and tailored content becomes more prevalent to cater to individual preferences. The rise of influencer marketing continues to be significant, with brands leveraging the reach and credibility of social media influencers."

The expert then shared what the near future might look like in the ad industry. "Looking ahead, as trust is increasingly hard to come by in the consumer world, influencer content stands to take additional market share away from traditional ad spend."

#10 Remember Wendy’s Tables?

Remember Wendy’s Tables?
Report
125points

#11 Mental Health Help Service In 1991 X-Men Comic

Mental Health Help Service In 1991 X-Men Comic
119points

#12 I've Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools

I've Robbed The Rainbow To Make You Gay. Jester Wools
117points

Created way back in early 2012, the r/vintageads subreddit is going to be celebrating its 12th birthday in just a few short months. At the time of writing, the online community had just over 167k members.

The sub is still very active to this very day, as people continue to stumble upon new vintage advertisements to share with everyone else. It’s not just a group for those working in marketing, advertising, or design, however. Anyone who has a fascination with history and nostalgia for the past is bound to enjoy themselves here.

As we’ve covered on Bored Panda recently, people working in marketing need to put in the proper time and effort to get to know their target audience well. The devil is in the details. And the details really do matter.

When you know what your audience wants and needs, and how it thinks, you can shape your advertising campaign around that. You can anticipate the possible reactions.

#13 Meanwhile, In Florida Public School History Books

Meanwhile, In Florida Public School History Books
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112points

#14 If You Lived In The 70s Or 80s You Either Had One Of These Patterns Or Knew Someone Who Did

If You Lived In The 70s Or 80s You Either Had One Of These Patterns Or Knew Someone Who Did
108points

#15 In The 1970s, This Was A Clothing Store's Idea Of A "Chubby Girl."

In The 1970s, This Was A Clothing Store's Idea Of A "Chubby Girl."
104points

One huge mistake that you can make is only ever doing things how you want to do them, ignoring everyone else. At the end of the day, it’s your audience that buys your products and services, not you.

So there needs to be a balance between what the business aims to accomplish, the creative aspect of the ad, as well as the desires of the audience. 

“A poor marketer hasn’t read the data and gotten to know their audience. These people will build collateral that would appeal to themselves or their peer group rather than that of the target audience,” Jansen Mann, who runs the digital marketing agency ‘Simon’ and the 'Ridiculous Marketing Nonsense' online project told Bored Panda during an earlier interview.

#16 1960 Flintstones Advertising Sponsored By Winston

1960 Flintstones Advertising Sponsored By Winston
103points

#17 When I’m 64

When I’m 64
Report
102points

#18 Re-Groove Your Tyres

Re-Groove Your Tyres
101points

Fundamentally, telling a good advertisement from a bad one isn’t as easy as you might think. On the one hand, you could call an ad successful if it goes viral, generates buzz, and sparks discussions with its creative approach. On the other hand, you could also measure success by whether or not the ad fulfilled the company’s goals.

The business might have gone viral with its ads, but if they’re not converted into sales, then the result is a bit of a mixed bag. However, if the company’s goal had been to raise brand awareness, then congratulations—you’ve done exactly what you set out to do.

What really useful here is for the people creating the ad to have very clear goals in mind before they even set out to sketch anything. When you’re focused on a specific idea and goal, you’re more likely to create something of value.

#19 In 1967 Philco Introduced A 4 Inch Vinyl Disc They Called 'Hip Pocket Records.' They Had A 'Hit' Song On Each Side And Sold For 69 Cents

In 1967 Philco Introduced A 4 Inch Vinyl Disc They Called 'Hip Pocket Records.' They Had A 'Hit' Song On Each Side And Sold For 69 Cents
97points

#20 Sugar Information Inc., 1964

Sugar Information Inc., 1964
96points
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