Top Advertisements of the 21st Century's Start, Endorsed by Industry Professionals
The dawn of the new millennium saw a revolution in advertising as the internet and social media reshaped the way we engaged with brands. Yet, print advertising lingered on, standing its ground amidst the digital wave. This era was marked by striking visuals, star power, and bold, thought-provoking themes. Let's delve into some of the most iconic print ads from the 2000s.
2000s: The Golden Age of Print Ads
1. Lego: 'Shadows'winning hearts with its minimalist design and focus on imagination.
2. American Civil Liberties Union: 'Manson'employed a copy-heavy, provocative approach tohighlight racial bias in police stop-and-search rates.
3. BC Lung Cancer Association: 'Info'utilized small-print style text to create a clever, impactful one-liner ad.
4. Coke: 'The Coke Side of Life'connected with people across cultures via playful illustrations, emphasizing the idea of happiness in a bottle.
5. Apple: 'Silhouette'made headlines with its energetic, fun visuals and freedom-embracing message, selling an experience rather than just a device.
6. Dos Equis: 'Most Interesting Man in the World'strikingly popular, prompting fans to create memes and driving the campaign's success.
7. Economist: 'Lightbulb'utilized motion sensor technology to create an interactive billboard, making it shareable and memorable.
8. Nintendo: 'Get into it'showcased an immersive gaming experience with its charming and endearing game-focused ads.
9. Diesel: 'Nature: Love It While It Lasts'featured a chaotic, surreal scene that embraced humor and maximalism, standing out among formulaic ads in today's market.
10. Dove: 'Unstick Your Style'celebrated women's individual beauty by using familiar cartoon characters, encouraging experimentation with hair styles and Dove products.
11. Nokia: 'An Eye For...'benefited from its focus on the eye and phone camera, trading on the camera's innovation at the time.
12. Lifebuoy soap: 'You eat what you touch'utilized thought-provoking messaging to encourage hand-washing hygiene, making it memorable due to its non-traditional approach to advertising.
In the 2000s, print ads stood out by leveraging celebrity power, pushing boundaries with provocative imagery, resonating with consumers through lifestyle and aspiration, fostering a sense of belonging among enthusiasts, and creating visually striking, catchy campaigns that left lasting impressions.
13. Adidas: 'Impossible is Nothing' drew inspiration from the brand's sports heritage, invoking determination and achievement in its advertising campaigns.
14. Heineken: 'Submerged' captivated audiences with its innovative 3d design, immersing viewers in a surreal underwater scenario.
15. Levi's: 'Go Forth' offered a fresh perspective on denim's role in lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty trends, embodying the spirit of adventure and freedom.
16. McDonald's: 'I'm Lovin' It' brilliantly executed branding through consistent use of color and music, creating a memorable jingle that resonated culturally.
17. Mountain Dew: 'Puppymonkeybaby' erected itself as a pop-culture phenomenon, solidifying its place in entertainment history through its bizarre and humorous ad.
18. T-Mobile: 'Life's for Sharing' captured the essence of social-media culture by emphasizing connections and communication, making it a hit on television and billboards.
19. Volkswagen: 'Lemon' humorously exploited the comedy of stereotypes, securing a lasting space in viewers' minds for the brand.
20. Gucci: 'MFiC (Made for Me)' embraced the allure of luxury and personalized design, catering to the rising appetite for individuality in fashion and lifestyle.
21. Nike: 'Just Do It' continued its legacy in sports and pop-culture by signing iconic athletes and utilizing inspirational imagery, further strengthening its powerful brand identity.
22. Ikea: 'Flyttätstillsamhof' utilized a charming and mixed-martial-arts inspired design to display the ease and fun of furniture assembly, making it a ad courageous and useful during home-and-garden improvement projects.
