Greatest Hits: MGP’s Favorite Brand Campaigns Of All Time
May 3, 2019
Some of the best brand campaigns have stood the test of time, despite changing technology, trends and pop culture references. These go down in history as some of MGP’s “greatest hits” campaigns. Hat’s off to these creative geniuses for creating compelling, silly and inspiring campaigns that have stuck with us throughout the years.
Jennifer Johnston
Nike: “Just Do It.” One of the most iconic brand campaigns has to be Nike’s “Just Do It Campaign.” Unless you are living under a rock, you’ve seen this phrase on T-shirts, commercials, consumer goods – it’s everywhere. I love this campaign because it motivates people to get out there and be more active and push past physical limitations, while on a subconscious level making one also think of that good ole Nike ‘Swoosh’ – the two are synonymous in the psyche of America at this point! From a brand campaign perspective, it’s innovative and ingenious because the campaign and phrase speak to all genders, ages, and across generational gaps. Can you think of another campaign that started in the late ’80s that’s still going strong today and has a whole range of consumer products to boot? It is brand marketing gold!
Allie Gavan
Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty tried to change societal notions about beauty and also sell a product, all at a time when digital media was facing a pivotal transformation (2004). The campaign showcased real women, flaws and all, standing proud and confident – the embodiment of female empowerment. Such a smart, feel good campaign that has stuck with me personally and has spurred Dove on to create numerous offshoot campaigns that continue to pack a punch.
Kayla Bortak
On February 6, 2018, one event tied the brand of two individual companies together. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket successfully began its maiden flight, simultaneously launching Elon Musk’s own cherry-red Tesla Roadster into orbit. The moment was huge for both SpaceX and the private spaceflight industry, and much of the tech-savvy population had been anticipating the launch since 2011.
Other than being the most powerful rocket in operation, this event was really, really cool for another reason. First flights for most spacecraft have a dummy load, but the cross-promotional aspect of this launch set it apart. Some might say it’s unnecessary to launch the CEO’s car into space – I’d say it’s a genius cross-promotional marketing opportunity. Sitting in the Roadster’s driver’s seat, to the tune of David Bowie, is the mannequin Starman; views of Starman and the gleaming vehicle were live-streamed for more than 16 million viewers. You can follow the car’s path around the Sun from today to almost the end of 2020, and check when the Roadster will be getting particularly close to Mars or the Earth, through the unofficial WhereIsRoadster.com. Watch the launch (and the boosters returning!) here.
Frances Lee
Always’ #Likeagirl2015 commercial – there is a stigma behind playing sports ‘like a girl’ and boys are better at playing sports and are more fit. By the end of the ad message, it is clear that girls are just as fit and capable as boys.
Mindy M. Hull
Volkswagen’s groundbreaking “The Force” ad from 2011 features a little boy dressed as Darth Vader attempting to use the force on everything in his house, from the dog and his lunch to the new Passat parked in the driveway. In addition to being cute, The Force broke Super Bowl campaign boundaries by premiering on YouTube four days before the game. The ad’s creators took a great risk and did something that had never been done before; it resulted in 17M views before kickoff alone, and 61M views in total on YouTube and is still the most shared Super Bowl ad of all time. That’s the Force at work!
Natalee Gibson
I’m a huge fan of the milk campaigns, both “Milk, It Does a Body Good” that came out of the 80s and the “Got Milk?” campaign from the 90s. Both campaigns featured what every brand strives for – a catchy, memorable phrase or tagline that evokes nostalgia or humor and is easily remembered. While the 80s campaign hammered home the nutritional value of milk, the 90s campaign was an emotional take – appealing to the sensation that milk makes everything better. Eventually, the opportunity to show up in a magazine ad with a milk mustache became a sign as a celebrity that you had truly made it. To this day I think they rank among the most brilliant ad campaigns, and that’s saying something because I hate milk!
Allie Gavan
Account Director
Greatest Hits: MGP’s Favorite Brand Campaigns Of All Time
May 3, 2019
Some of the best brand campaigns have stood the test of time, despite changing technology, trends and pop culture references. These go down in history as some of MGP’s “greatest hits” campaigns. Hat’s off to these creative geniuses for creating compelling, silly and inspiring campaigns that have stuck with us throughout the years.
Jennifer Johnston
Nike: “Just Do It.” One of the most iconic brand campaigns has to be Nike’s “Just Do It Campaign.” Unless you are living under a rock, you’ve seen this phrase on T-shirts, commercials, consumer goods – it’s everywhere. I love this campaign because it motivates people to get out there and be more active and push past physical limitations, while on a subconscious level making one also think of that good ole Nike ‘Swoosh’ – the two are synonymous in the psyche of America at this point! From a brand campaign perspective, it’s innovative and ingenious because the campaign and phrase speak to all genders, ages, and across generational gaps. Can you think of another campaign that started in the late ’80s that’s still going strong today and has a whole range of consumer products to boot? It is brand marketing gold!
Allie Gavan
Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty tried to change societal notions about beauty and also sell a product, all at a time when digital media was facing a pivotal transformation (2004). The campaign showcased real women, flaws and all, standing proud and confident – the embodiment of female empowerment. Such a smart, feel good campaign that has stuck with me personally and has spurred Dove on to create numerous offshoot campaigns that continue to pack a punch.
Kayla Bortak
On February 6, 2018, one event tied the brand of two individual companies together. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket successfully began its maiden flight, simultaneously launching Elon Musk’s own cherry-red Tesla Roadster into orbit. The moment was huge for both SpaceX and the private spaceflight industry, and much of the tech-savvy population had been anticipating the launch since 2011.
Other than being the most powerful rocket in operation, this event was really, really cool for another reason. First flights for most spacecraft have a dummy load, but the cross-promotional aspect of this launch set it apart. Some might say it’s unnecessary to launch the CEO’s car into space – I’d say it’s a genius cross-promotional marketing opportunity. Sitting in the Roadster’s driver’s seat, to the tune of David Bowie, is the mannequin Starman; views of Starman and the gleaming vehicle were live-streamed for more than 16 million viewers. You can follow the car’s path around the Sun from today to almost the end of 2020, and check when the Roadster will be getting particularly close to Mars or the Earth, through the unofficial WhereIsRoadster.com. Watch the launch (and the boosters returning!) here.
Frances Lee
Always’ #Likeagirl2015 commercial – there is a stigma behind playing sports ‘like a girl’ and boys are better at playing sports and are more fit. By the end of the ad message, it is clear that girls are just as fit and capable as boys.
Mindy M. Hull
Volkswagen’s groundbreaking “The Force” ad from 2011 features a little boy dressed as Darth Vader attempting to use the force on everything in his house, from the dog and his lunch to the new Passat parked in the driveway. In addition to being cute, The Force broke Super Bowl campaign boundaries by premiering on YouTube four days before the game. The ad’s creators took a great risk and did something that had never been done before; it resulted in 17M views before kickoff alone, and 61M views in total on YouTube and is still the most shared Super Bowl ad of all time. That’s the Force at work!
Natalee Gibson
I’m a huge fan of the milk campaigns, both “Milk, It Does a Body Good” that came out of the 80s and the “Got Milk?” campaign from the 90s. Both campaigns featured what every brand strives for – a catchy, memorable phrase or tagline that evokes nostalgia or humor and is easily remembered. While the 80s campaign hammered home the nutritional value of milk, the 90s campaign was an emotional take – appealing to the sensation that milk makes everything better. Eventually, the opportunity to show up in a magazine ad with a milk mustache became a sign as a celebrity that you had truly made it. To this day I think they rank among the most brilliant ad campaigns, and that’s saying something because I hate milk!
