Opportunity Zone

North of the 49th | Amway

Under the Influence

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Category: Amway, Canada, Products, advertisements, advertising, super bowl ads

Why do some ads resonate for years after they were first broadcast (and, in some cases, long after the product ceases to exist)? We're coming up to the Super Bowl — probably the only sporting event that is equally watched for the athletic aspect AND the advertising.

Well, that's unless you're in Canada and you're stuck watching Canadian previews and recycled ads… we have to use the almighty Internet to see what the fuss is about.

It was 25 years ago that Apple unleashed an incredible spot heralding the arrival of the Macintosh. Playing off the George Orwell 1984 theme, they broadcast an ad that transcended mere publicity. (This, despite the fact that the woman in the ad is dressed like a Hooters hostess… really, orange shorts, white top?)

So I toured Canuck Central and conducted an informal poll about which ads resonated with the employees here. And chances are you'll remember some of these ads. Some had a catch-phrase that became iconic for a time (think "Where's the Beef?"), others used the "Aw" factor of cute animals to create a poignant image that really had no correlation to the product (the Budweiser little Clydesdale ad; the Coca-Cola polar bears), others were clever and funny (the Knorr "Frozen Doesn't Have to be a Bad Word"), while some chose to be a rallying cry for a nation (the "I Am Canadian" ads — which, surprisingly, offer a pretty good primer on Canadians).

For one reason or another, these ads stick with us. Think about it… while most can sing the "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" song — or at least hum along. But how many of us can sing the other three stanzas of Oh Canada? How many people even know that poem has three other stanzas?

I've included links below for these ads — feel free to check them out. But I want to know what works for you? What makes you stand up and taken notice of a television ad? Do you even watch them or do you burn through them on your PVR/Tivo? If so, what makes you stop and rewind an ad to watch it?

And how do our ads stack up? Think about the Land of Will ads; or the "Hello My Name Is…" collection. Too Teshy? Just enough Teshiness? Do they focus on what you think we should highlight about the opportunity? Maybe you're familiar with our Skate Canada Artistry ad, or the Nutrilite Daily Ronaldinho commercial. What do you like/dislike about them?

What about our print ads? Remember the monkey? Did you like him? How about the Nutrilite farm/Rehnborg ads that ran in major publications? How do you use these ads in your business? Do you use these ads?

What are we doing right? What could we improve? Your thoughts are welcome. 

Finally, does your affinity for a certain ad say something about you as a consumer? A person? A certain someone, who shall remain nameless, instantly recalled the Oscar Meyer Wiener ad… Not to go all Freudian, but…

So here's the list. Feel free to add your own — and, as always, the comments are open!

All the best,

Jay