The 8 Greatest Ads & Why They Worked:
1. Volvo
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: $9M
Results: 10% UK sales increase, 500% ROI.
Why it worked: Unexpected, fun, and incredibly memorable.
