15 Advertisements So Clever, They Deserve A Permanent Spot On The Internet

A marketing team’s job seems like it must get harder and harder as the years go by. Most people are being constantly bombarded with ads, posters, banners, videos, and slogans, to such a degree that “ad blindness” is becoming a measurable phenomenon. So when an ad actually makes you stop and look, it’s a sign that someone knew what they were doing. 

The “Brilliant Advertisements” Instagram page shares marketing campaigns that stand head-and-shoulders above the rest. So guard your wallet, get comfortable as you scroll through, and be sure to upvote your favorites. 

More info: Instagram

15 PHOTOS

#1 UNICEF "One Shot Is Enough" Campaign On Cyber Bullying That Won A Set Of Gold Press And Outdoor Lions At Cannes In 2015

#2 "Man Of Steel" Superman Elevator Ad

Not every brilliant marketing campaign is an ad. Some brands have realized that just attaching their name to something people are paying attention to can bring recognition and associations. For example, Dove’s “real beauty” campaign wasn’t exactly promoting the company's products, rather, it was simply research on women’s self-perceptions of beauty. 

One of its most famous takeaways was the startling discovery that “only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful.” Given that you probably see more than a dozen beautiful women while strolling around any city center for less than an hour, the study highlighted the havoc unrealistic beauty standards had caused for female mental health. 

#3 Don't Buy Exotic Animal Souvenirs

#4 If You Want Stronger Marriage, Work On It Together

#5 Anti-Smoking

So people and media outlets were discussing and sharing a study that tactically included Dove’s branding and logo and link to their official website. This way, Dove escaped the trap of “ad blindness” by using (important) research as a sort of Trojan horse. In a sense, this sort of marketing is perhaps a best-case scenario, as a company spends its resources to make something useful for all of us. 

#6 Daihatsu

#7 Unicef - Every Child Needs A Family

#8 New Tattoo Artists Wanted For Berrge Tattoo Studio. To Apply, You Have To Fill In The QR code Carefully!

There is a sort of arms race going on, as marketers are becoming increasingly aware that more and more of us have learned to tune out most advertisements. Posters and billboards hardly raise an eye and most of us simply do something else when an unskippable video ad plays. Interestingly, even before 2000, researchers had noticed that many people already had “banner blindness.” 

#9 Band-Aid: Flexible Fabric

#10 Erdal Shoe Polish

#11 Creative Marketing

Further studies into the topic have found that a staggering 93% of ads go unviewed even when directly in front of the user. Add in the prevalence of ad blockers and similar technology and one begins to wonder if anyone has actually ever viewed an internet ad. This, unfortunately, is probably the reason so many banner ads are aggressive, loud, and deceitful, as they need every trick in the book to get you to look for more than a second. 

#12 These Guys Came Up With The Lollipop In 1958. While Others Promote Their Sugar-Free Products Stressing The Health, Chupa Chups Does It Differently

#13 Think Of Both Sides

#14 Toothpaste Billboard

Interestingly, this number will likely be even lower on sites that you frequent. Once you are familiar with a digital “environment,” your eyes simply know where to look and what to ignore. In other words, your brain collaborates with your eyes to make a deeply effective form of ad blocker. Somewhat nice to know that multimillion-dollar campaigns can be disrupted by your brain on autopilot. 

#15 Don't Selfie And Drive