Think Small

Earlier today, I was reminded of how insanely great the Volkswagen ads of the 1950s and 1960s were, which was named the best campaign of the century by Ad Age.

Good design and excellent copywriting will always sell your product or service. In the ad above, the lead paragraph alone is simply brilliant: “Women are soft and gentle, but they hit things.”

Using today’s standards, the ad may have been rejected for being sexist. But you have to admit: focusing an entire ad on just one selling point is a really good idea.

When I see simple ads in today’s media, I appreciate it — and you should, too.

Good Creative

If you were born before 1970, you probably remember the American Tourister TV commercial. Yes, the one with the gorilla.

Not only was it a good idea, but the copywriting was superb…

“Dear clumsy bellboys, brutal cab drivers, careless doormen, ruthless porters, savage baggage masters and all butter-fingered luggage handlers all over the world, have we got a suitcase for you.”

Roy Grace was the art director, who also gets credit for this VW spot…

No, they don’t make them like they used to. However, that doesn’t mean the advertising landscape is barren of good ideas and execution. Take, for instance, the “Mac vs. PC” ads. I love them…