Marketing Nerd

The 8 Greatest Ads of All Time & Why They Worked:

1. Volvo (Jean-Claude Van Damme)

Cost: $4M
Results: 48M views in 9 days, $170M in revenue.

Why it worked: Stunning visuals + clear product demonstration. 

2. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Ad

Apple’s 1984 ad, inspired by George Orwell, positioned Macintosh as the rebel against conformity.

Cost: $900K
Results: 46% sales boost in 100 days.

Why it worked: Bold storytelling + a clear, disruptive message. 

3. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign

Nike’s 1988 campaign turned “Just Do It” into a global mantra.

Cost: $10M
Results: Sales soared from $877M to $9.2B in 10 years.

Why it worked: Universally inspiring and deeply tied to their values. 

4. Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” Campaign

Coke replaced its logo with names to encourage sharing.

Cost: $50M (global rollout)
Results: 2% sales boost in the US.

Why it worked: Personalization + social sharing created a cultural phenomenon. 

5. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”

Old Spice rebranded with humor and Isaiah Mustafa’s charisma.

Cost: $11M
Results: 125% sales boost in a year.

Why it worked: Witty, engaging, and directly targeted their audience. 

6. Budweiser’s “Whassup?”

The simple “Whassup?” ad became a cultural phenomenon in 1999.

Cost: $1M
Results: 60% sales increase.

Why it worked: Relatable humor and unforgettable catchphrase. 

7. McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” Campaign

McDonald’s catchy 2003 slogan became a global anthem.

Cost: $1.37B
Results: 9% global sales growth. (multibillions)

Why it worked: Simple, emotional, and universally appealing. 

8. Cadbury’s “Gorilla” Ad

A gorilla drumming to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” stole the show.

Cost: $8M
Results: 10% UK sales increase, 500% ROI.

Why it worked: Unexpected, fun, and incredibly memorable. 

If you love marketing, subscribe ↓

https://1-2-3marketing.beehiiv.com/