Tag Archives: advertising history

Settle the fuck down, Irv.

The origin of 3M’s Post-it Notes is the stuff of legend, and if you went to business school, you probably had to read the case study even though anything like it probably won’t ever happen again.

Now imagine being the ad agency creative team tasked with not only getting the public wanting the product, but also having to explain what it was and how it worked because nothing quite like it had ever existed before. Or don’t imagine it, because here’s one of the early ads.

1981 magazine ad for 3M’s Post-it Notes (Post-Its) with an excellent example of strategic and select use of color.

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The Meat For Every Occasion… except for perhaps Bar Mitzvahs.

Uncle George likes his meat solid.

Hormel’s SPAM is infamously “spiced ham”.
Armour’s Treet is a “spiced luncheon loaf”.
Wilson & Co.’s MOR was described as “no bone”, “no gristle” and “solid”. Can’t imagine why they’re not still around. Continue reading

I feel pretty. Oh so pretty.

1974 magazine ad for Yardley

I wonder what sort of magnificently manly scent this stuff had…
Eau de dumpster full of sweaty jock straps?
Crusty sock and whisky barf?
Burning chest hair?
Lumberjack taint scrapings? Continue reading

Now you too can perspire with the slightest exertion!

Ad of Yore: Print advertisement from a 1973 Charlton comic book

Ad of Yore: Print advertisement from a 1973 Charlton comic book

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Ideal for decorating all your things with meaning.

Wow!

Ad of Yore: Print advertisement from a 1973 Charlton comic book
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