Halloween Ads of Yesteryear

With All Hallow's Eve imminent, here's a small selection of vintage Halloween-themed print ads that I've come across.

Hunt's Catsup, "Happy Halloween", 1967.

Hunt's Catsup puts a tomato twist on the traditional Halloween pumpkin.

Budweiser, 1953.

Budweiser, 1960.

A couple of kitsch beer ads for Budweiser in theme.

Michelob, "If Michelob were a ghost...", 1970.

Michelob beer makes an attempt to be spooky.

Griffin Microsheen, "Neatest Trick Or Treat", 1956.

Witches are a common theme. In this 50's ad, it's difficult to tell what is being advertised (without the blatant product shot) and what is going on. At least Griffin Microsheen show almost an entire shiny shoe - worn by a scary creepy pumpkinhead, accompanied by his burlesque witch in scantily-clad black.

P&G, Hidden Magic Hairspray, Mademoiselle, September, 1965.

Ronrico, Rumkin, 1983.

More witches. P&G's Hidden Magic Hairspray and Ronrico Rum (and their "Rumkin") have eerily similar black witches selling their wares.

Milky Way Candy Bars, "Here Kiddie Kiddie Kiddie!", 1954.

Sun-Maid Raisins, "Trick Or Treat", 1964.

It wouldn't be Halloween without any "trick or treat" ads. These are from Milky Way Candy Bars and Sun-Maid Raisins. I think if you gave out raisins as a treat these days you may run the risk of being egged...??



These next few involve some interesting costume and dress-up.

Smirnoff Martini, Newsweek, 1968.

Smirnoff Vodka, "Frankenstein", 1967.

Two-Page Spread for General Telephone & Electronics (GTE) & Sylvania Incandescent-Fluorescent Bulbs, "Frankenstein", 1970.

GTE shed new light on bad flourescent lighting.

Litronix Calculators, 1975.

Is Dracula doing his best impersonation of Sesame Street's The Count? I don't get this one. Who "sticks their neck out" with a calculator? And why does a Litronix one solve this problem? The convoluted body copy goes some way to help explain it. But I still think it sucks.

Genuine Soil From Dracula's Castle, late 1970's.

Ads like this one featured quite prominently in comics back in the late 70's & early 80's. I don't know how many kids were duped into buying the "Genuine Soil from Dracula's Castle" - complete with "Certificate of Authenticity". And of course, it came in a little coffin-shaped pendant. All for just $9.95!

Panasonic Quintrix II, 1977.

I bet the reception on that box TV along with the screen clarity and color reproduction is frightful.

Elvira for LBMS, 1991.

And I couldn't have a Halloween post without the Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira.

Here, she's plugging some 1991 era software which "cuts through" all the paperwork - hence the chainsaw visual pun. If only she'd used that metaphorical saw to cut through all that body copy text. And not a single trademark Elvira witty double entendre quip!.

I Can Haz Vintage Catvertising

Cats in print.

They've been doing it for years in advertising - "catvertising" or "meowketing".

Long before keyboard kitties and LOLcats dominated the digital sphere. Cats (as well as dogs and other little furries) resonate with the domestic audience and pet lovers around the world.

Here's a look back at a select few vintage print ads featuring our feline friends.


Black Cats

Poster for "Cabaret du Chat Noir" Re-opening, Paris, 1896.

The translation of "Chat Noir" from French is "Black Cat" (no surprises there). The above poster advertises the re-opening of the "Cabaret du Chat Noir" in Paris, October, 1896.

Le Chat Noir, 1922.

This is a cover for a French 25 cent weekly journal. which I assume has something to do with knitting. The scrawl of writing below the title reads what looks to be "J'evide les nerf en pelote?" which roughly translates to "My nerves are like a ball of yarn (being toyed with by a cat)".

Lanvin Perfume, "My Sin", 1950's.

This advertising poster was part of a campaign for Lanvin perfume in the 1950's. Here we see the black cat as a symbol of elegance, style and perhaps mystery.

Boucheron, "Black Cat", 1986.

 The black cat in Boucheron's 1980's campaign offers a sense of luxury and desire.

Movado Museum L'Imperiale, Black Cat Example, 1980.

More than a few jewellery brand names used a black cat to help position their brand. Here, Movado uses the picture of a real black cat with silhouetted green eyes.

White Cats

White cats with their bright, fluffy and pristine fur are another frequent feline feature of ads over the years.

Fleetwood Cigarettes, 1943.

They are often portrayed as symbols of purity and innocence and cleanliness - and as can be seen above, even for a brand of smoky cigarettes.

National Society Of Radiators, "Ideal Classic", Italy (Undated)

Gaines Viso, Viso Gürtel, Poster by Von Allmen, 1950.

  Cats (of any color) can also depict royalty, high stature or simply vanity.


Kittens

The power of cuteness in print.

Packer's Tar Soap, 1906.

The Orgasmatron from The Pink Pussy Cat Boutique, "Xmas", 1975.

I believe the little kitten above on the "Orgasmatron" is purely metaphorical.


Other Kitties

Chevrolet Corvette, "Love Seat", The New Yorker, 19th May, 1956.

I wonder if Chevy picked this cat for the photo purely because its coat matched the leather seats??


Tabby Cats

By the 1980's, tabbies featured quite prominently in ads as the cat for the everyman. Many of these ads weren't particularly special unless you had a tabby of your own you could relate to. They are usually used for cat-related brands and products to display a range of kitty emotions.

Purina, "Happy Cat" Cat Food, 1984.

Happy tabby is happy.

"Kitty Litter Brand" Kitty Litter, 1984.

Sad tabby is sad.

Meow Mix, 1987.

Hungry tabby is hungry.

And Finally...

One of the ads from the original "Mad Men" era that helped to spawn the creative advertising revolution of the 1960's. This ad, featuring a decked out cat, was developed by Bill Bernbach, ad creative guru, from Doyle Dane Bernbach along with Bob Gage (Art Direction) and Judy Protas (Body Copy). Together, they came up with an interesting idea to promote Ohrbach's Department Store to fashion-conscious New Yorkers.

Ohrbach's Department Store, "I found out about Joan", Doyle Dane Bernbach, NYC, 1958.

Headline & Body Copy:

I found out about Joan

The way she talks, you'd think she was in Who's Who. Well! I found out What's what with her. Her husband owns a bank? Sweetie, not even a bank account. Why that palace of theirs has wall-to-wall mortgages! And that car? Darling, that's horsepower, not earning power. They won it in fifty-cent raffle! Can you imagine? And those clothes! Of course she does dress divinely, But really... a mink stole, and Paris suits, and all those dresses... on his income? Well darling, I found out about that too. I just happened to be going her way and I saw Joan come out of Ohrbach's!

My Top 5 Swingin' Vintage Jumpsuit Ads

It just wouldn't have been the Seventies without the easy slip-on slip-off all-in-one piece of clothing known as the jumpsuit. Synonymous with the era, it featured quite prominently in its time and was a sizzlin' hot fashion item.

Here are 5 of the best vintage print jumpsuit ads I could find in my on-going and endless search for classic ads. So grow out your chest hair, zip yourself up, stand proud and let's make these "comfortable fit" numbers happen!

5. Ah Men, "Jumpsuits For Ah Men", 1970's.

Here we have our hirsute model and his female companion sporting a hooded variation of the jumpsuit family in the popular terry toweling fabric. Great for absorbing any moisture or sweat build-up. The girl accessory shown is not included.

"Designed for people like you who make things happen." 

4. Pacesetter Knit Jumpsuits, 1972.

Clearly pitched towards the "Donny & Marie" crowd, this ad was featured in a vintage catalogue. A smokin' get-up for going out, featuring swinging flare bottoms, contrast color "side panel" striping down the sides and "slash pocket trims". Multicolor his 'n her shirts an optional extra.

"The newest, fast-moving, high fashion trends of today in men's wear."

3. The Fifth Season, "Terry Turn-Ons", 1978.

The stretch terry toweling has returned, with a high waistband and wide lapels brought to you by The Fifth Season. Our Wayne Newton wannabe has a disco date and he's not afraid to do her hustle.

"... a fit that makes the most of your body."

2. The Fifth Season, "The Before Or After Anything Suit", 1970's.

The Fifth Season return with the "Before Or After Anything" suit. Any commentary on this wouldn't do justice to the stellar body copy in the ad:

"The Before Or After Anything Suit.

Their heads are together. He cares for the good things of life. He's an achiever. He's confident. He likes his clothes smooth, sexy, comfortable - masculine.

The "Do Anything" jumpsuit goes to party, bistro, patio or pad.

She makes the right decisions about her man, about her looks, about her clothes.

The "Do Anything" jump suit of  SuperSuedePlus(TM) fits like a glove ... tough looking, but soft as a kitten. Designed by Jump Suits Ltd for people like you."

1. The Fifth Season, "One Easy Piece", 1970's.

This has to be one of my favorite vintage ads in my entire collection. The Fifth Season feature another jumpsuit number. And our Francis Ford Coppola look-alike has returned. He's ditched his lover from the previous ad, donned a polyester tight fit - known as "The Big Zip" and he looks hungry for some love action!

Who ever wrote these Fifth Season ads needs some kind of award for the blistering words - all zipped up into one suit of body copy. As I did for the previous ad, here's the full body text:

"One Easy Piece.

Because one is enough, when it's you. Show where you're headed in the ultimate fashion climax.

Fits so tight it shows all you've got... you're a walking turn-on. And treats your body as well as she does.

Easy on, easy off, quick as a flick of her tongue. Sexy cool crinkle cloth for those hot nights to come. Designed with your desires in mind... she'll eat you alive in it.

The Big Zip in 50% polyester / 50% cotton. Long-sleeved in rust, blue or black. Short-sleeved in natural, blue or camel.

Are you man enough to fill it?"

A Titanic Addiversary

With the 100 year anniversary of the world's most famous sinking tragedy fast approaching, I thought I'd dig up a few ads from eras bygone and recent related to the Titanic.

White Star Line, Titanic Poster, 1912

This is one of several original posters from 1912 leading up to the fateful date, promoting the first (and final) voyage of "the largest liner in the world".

R.M.S. Titanic, "Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap", 1912.

And the merchandising. Published only once, a black & white version of this ad (with a slightly different layout) appeared in the April 6, 1912 edition of the London Illustrated News. The Toilet Soap was provided to First Class passengers and also available for purchase by the London public.

Titanic Return Voyage, 1912.

White Star Line also advertised in New York for the return trip from Pier 59 back to Europe. Obviously it never eventuated.



It seems advertisers steered clear of referencing the Titanic in any way until the popularity of the award-winning blockbuster movie in 1997 revived its popularity (I haven't been able to find any Titanic-themed ads before 2000).

Here are several print ads I found that pick up on the Titanic theme in different ways.

TAM Airlines Onboard Entertainment, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Y&R Brazil, 2008.

Capitalizing on the success of the Titanic blockbuster movie, Y&R Brazil offers a different perspective of the event for TAM Airlines Onboard Entertainment.

Orange, "Iceberg"
Ad Agency: Ignitionk, Madrid, Spain, April, 2009.

Ignitionk went for a text & space approach to help illustrate Orange's audiodescription system for the blind.

Washin Opticians, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Grey Tokyo, 2011.

One of two Titanic themed ads that sells the benefits of optical eyewear, Grey Tokyo illustrate the outcome had the ocean liner's captain and crew been wearing glasses by Washin Opticians.

Optics Schilling, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Unitas-RNL, Santiago, Chile, 2009.

In this second eyewear ad (which actually came first chronologically), Unitas-RNL shows the end result thanks to Optics Schilling glasses.


Another "theme" I noticed in recent Titanic-based ads was that several focussed on the ship's size.

Megastar Cineplex, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Ogily & Mather, Vietnam 2007.

Vodafone Mobile Video Store, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Scholz & Friends NRW, Dusseldorf, Germany, January, 2010.

Both of these ads "bend" the visual by presenting the Titanic as being small or miniature. In both examples, the iceberg is reduced to an ice cube. And both ads are selling the idea of watching the big blockbuster movie on a small screen (the first as a negative and the second as a positive).


Another reoccuring theme I found in recent advertising which references the Titanic refers to the famous "I'm Flying" romantic sequence from the movie.

Utopolis Group Of Cinemas, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Duval Guillaume, Antwerp Belgium 2007.

Toys R Us, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Volcano Advertising, Johannesburg SA, 2007.

Sanyo XactiCA8, "Titanic"
Ad Agency: Whybin TBWA Tequila, Sydney, Australia, 2008.

Suraj Electronics, "Pixels"
Ad Agency: JWT, New Dehli, India, 2010.

Credit should probably go to the first two of these as they came out in the same year. And at least the Australian one takes it underwater. In my opinion, the last one from India is the weakest of these.


I did find several other recent ads that reference the Titanic but the rationale or strategy tie-in with the product or benefit was either weak, sunk altogether or perhaps lost in translation.

• Kaecher Immersion Pumps, "Titanic", FJR Werbeagentur, Munich, Germany, December, 2008.
• IFFCCO-Tokio Insurance, "Titanic", Publicis Gurgaon, India, 2010.
• Listerine, "Titanic", JWT, Mumbai, India, 2012.

PETA smacks a bitch up for veganism!

First, here's the TV ad that everyone's getting beat up about.




The commercial is another floor-buster in poor taste for militant ethical rights group, PETA (or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

I didn't catch this on TV and I'm not sure what media buy PETA has for this, but it may go viral for all the wrong reasons. When I clicked on a link to PETA's YouTube channel and watched this PSA parody for the first time, the PETA name immediately raised my BS meter - and with good reason.

The voice over is narrated by former SNL comedian, Kevin Nealon, and reads:

"This is Jessica.
She suffers from B.W.V.A.K.T-BOOM...  

'Boyfriend Went Vegan And Knocked The Bottom Out Of Me.'

A painful condition that occurs when boyfriends go vegan and can suddenly bring it like a tantric porn star.

For Jessica, it's too late.

(Boyfriend) 'Oh you're back... you feeling better?'

Please go to bwvaktboom.com and learn to go vegan... safely."

In this ad, titled "Boyfriend Went Vegan", the scantily clad girlfriend in a jacket, Jessica, is all battered and bruised complete with a fake neck brace. The premise is that she is in this state from repeated roughhousing and non-stop sex as a result of suffering from a fictitious condition - "B.W.V.A.K.T.-BOOM" or Boyfriend Went Vegan And Knocked The Bottom Out Of Me.

But I really think it's PETA that have "knocked the bottom" out of taste and decency for their cause. In a lame attempt at controversy and humor, the boyfriend is the cause of all this mayhem. "Jessica" gives off a faint smile at the end, as if to say it's all worth it.

And viewers are then urged to visit the website URL to find out more information on going vegan. And here there's such pearls of wisdom to protect a woman from this syndrome, including tips such as: 

* Wearing a helmet (“strap it down, hop in bed and hold on tight”).
* Wearing goggles to “protect your corneas from his turbocharged loads”.
* Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles so you can handle his ‘superpower’.


At the end of my initial viewing, I have to say I was a little puzzled. I had never heard that going vegan turns you into a horny sex fiend (or violent misogynist) who can then manipulate your partners (or victims) into going out to grab some more fruit and veggies and then coming back for more.

And so the whole set-up becomes a stretch... a WALLOPING stretch - which isn't unusual for PETA, who continually manage to drop the bar of ethical standards for the sake of headlines. PETA have already come out to defend the ad stating that its "tongue-in-cheek", "humorous" (by whose standards?) and because the girl gives a "mischievous" smile at the end, she must like it. And so this must mean that its OK (especially if its in this fictitious far-fetched hypothetical scenario).

I believe I've heard rapists use a similar line of defence.

The ad agency responsible for this battered piece of waffle, Matter (who don't appear to have any online presence), most likely managed to convince PETA's marketing department that the controversy and headlines this will generate will outweigh the criticism. The convoluted sell will do little to persuade people to try veganism. Some will say that its generated a lot of word-of-mouth and "buzz". Sure. Maybe a few gullible people might take on the belief that not eating chicken and eggs gives your hormones a boost. Are there any scientific studies backing this up?

This is where the whole thing becomes offensive. PETA would rather have guys munching celery sticks and granola than steaks or cheese so that they can then slap girls around in the bedroom. To them, that is a forgivable trade-off.

This has nothing to do with veganism or vegetarianism but everything to do with PETA's shitty name as an "altruistic" organization which I feel has shamelessly peddled violence against women in a humorless vignette. The fact that PETA's President is a woman makes the irony all the more hard-hitting.

The impression many people get is that PETA will defend the rights of animals at the expense of the rights of women.

The impression I get (and have for quite some time now) is that PETA is a PITA.

Kim-vertising

Hot on the heels of other fallen dictators and terrorist leaders who have recently died, we have the passing of North Korea's "Dear Leader" seeing out the year (although there is still about a week and half left this year for Ahmadinejad, Mugabe or Castro if they want to join the list).

Following my previous blog posts on Bin Laden's Legacy in Advertising and Gaddafi in Advertising, it's only fair to look at "faminist" Kim Jong-il's image as used in advertising (primarily print and posters here).

International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)
Ad Agency: Scholz & Friends, Berlin, Germany, 2009.

Celebrating 60 years of the ISHR promoting human rights, the anniversary cakes were "shared" with various leaders of dictatorships around the world, including Kim.

ISHR
Ad Agency: Ogilvy, Frankfurt, Germany. 2010

The ISHR more recently also had a campaign showing world dictators scared of the modern mouse. This particular ad is poorly photoshopped but still conveys the intended message.

S-K Bedding & Mattresses
"Who says there's no rest for the wicked?"
Ad Agency: Publicis, South Africa, 2004.

SK Bedding and Publicis used North Korea Freedom Day, April 28, 2004, to help promote their product.

Nulaid Eggs
"History's produced a lot of bad eggs.
Thankfully, ours are always good."
Ad Agency: The Jupiter Drawing Room, South Africa, 2007.

Also from South Africa, Nulaid Eggs uses Jong-il's likeness in egg form to illustrate a bad egg.

Amnesty International
Ad Agency: Contrapunto BBDO, Madrid, Spain, 2008.

Amnesty International
"See no evil?"
Ad Agency: LINs, Malaysia, 2008.

Amnesty International
"Your signature has the power"
Ad Agency: TBWA, Paris, France, 2008.

2008 saw a volley of ad rockets fired by Amnesty International against North Korea's supreme leader as well as others.

Contrapunto BBDO used the fly on the nose (using Amnesty's logo) as a symbol and visual metaphor for human rights abuses which is as plain as the nose on their face, right in front of these leaders' eyes and yet never quite visible to them.

The campaign from LINs in Malaysia is not quite as clear. It uses the recent optical illusion meme of staring at a point (in this case a red crosshair mark) for several minutes and then looking at a white surface to reveal a face illusion. These directions aren't given in the ad and therefore assumed that people know what to do when viewing it. Also there is a tenuous link between this and the ad's message ("See no evil?") which may have been somewhat lost in translation (?).

The final ad here, by TBWA Paris, is the most clear and powerful (and also featured in my Gaddafi blog post).

Reporters Without Borders
"Only a free press can hurt them.
Support our fight."
Ad Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi, Paris, France, 2010

Reporters Without Borders and Saatchi & Saatchi Paris put together a campaign last year which reverts to the visual metaphor of a crushed press image of global dictators.

Benetton, "UNHATE" campaign
Ad Agency: Fabrica, Italy, 2011.

Benetton's recent "UNHATE" campaign, was able to manufacture a final kiss (kiss of death?) between Kim and South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak. This was an interesting campaign featuring several adversarial world leaders in intimate positions.

Amnesty International Portugal, "Tyrannybook" app
Ad Agency: Leo Burnett, Iberia, 2010.

Kim Jong-il profile, Tyrannybook.

Tyrannybook, a digital app designed and implemented by Leo Burnett Iberia in for Amnesty International Portugal in 2010, This was a social network (which has since been discontinued) dedicated to the surveillance of some of the most tyrannical world leaders that violate human rights.

Modelled on the look and aesthetics of Facebook, both users and the organization can update leaders' profiles on their most recent abuses. Users could also link up as allies and participate in group discussions, exchange points of view and discuss current events.

While this app has now expired, it may have been a foretelling of the role Facebook would play in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising through the Middle East.


With Kim Jong-il kicking the bucket, advertisers now have one less dictator to use in their messages. 2011 has been a terrible year for oppressive global leaders.