We reviewed 7 BEST commercials of ALL TIME

Are you ready for a journey through the annals of advertising history? Today, we're diving into the vault of unforgettable commercials that stirred emotions, captivated audiences, and left a permanent mark on our cultural landscape. Welcome to the seven best commercials of all time!

1. Nike's "Find Your Greatness" Campaign

Our first stop is a testament to finding greatness in the most unexpected places. In 2012, Nike lost the Olympic sponsorship to Adidas and was forbidden to use any Olympians in their ads. But instead of throwing in the towel, they unleashed the awe-inspiring "Find Your Greatness" campaign. This campaign showcased ordinary people doing extraordinary things, proving that being an athlete isn't just about medals and fame; it's about encountering obstacles and overcoming them day by day. This was not about lowering expectations; it was about raising them for every last one of us. Nike used emotion as a way of connecting with its target audience, and the whole campaign was, as you can assume, a huge success. Nike gained 50,000 followers across social media, which probably led to some massive numbers in sales and brand loyalty.

2. Coca-Cola's "Happiness Factory" Series

In 2006, Coca-Cola released the "Happiness Factory" series, which defied the recession with rising sales by taking viewers inside the fantastical world of Coke's vending machine. Created by Wieden+Kennedy, the new ad showed animated characters creating a bottle of Coca-Cola in a magical land inside a vending machine. If you put aside that this ad looks like a short, very well-crafted 3D animated movie, it's a masterclass in making each viewer feel like the most important person in the world. The whimsical and imaginative ad helped Coca-Cola connect with its audience on an emotional level, making it a memorable and effective campaign.

3. Life Cereal's "Mikey Likes It"

Who could forget the timeless tale of Little Mikey and his cereal? "He likes it! Hey, Mikey!" Life cereal struck gold with this charming commercial, proving that sometimes even the simplest stories resonate the loudest. Running for over a decade and becoming one of the longest-running campaigns ever, the commercial aimed to please both kids and health-conscious parents. It featured real-life brothers Tom, Mike, and John. The older brothers wouldn't touch the supposedly healthy cereal until their youngest sibling, Mikey, tried it first. And guess what? He liked it! Even today, "He likes it! Hey, Mikey!" still rings a bell for many Americans, earning its place in advertising history. Ironically, Little Mikey, portrayed by John Gilchrist, is now a director of media sales at Madison Square Garden, working in—you guessed it—media advertising.

4. Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like"

Old Spice: we all know this one. In the early 2000s, Old Spice held a significant share in the men's hygiene product market in the US, yet it was perceived as outdated and lacking in style. Old Spice decided to shake things up a bit by partnering with Wieden+Kennedy for the unforgettable "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign, starring the charming Isaiah Mustafa. In the ad, Mustafa speaks directly to the audience, suggesting that if their partner smelled like him, they'd unlock a world of extraordinary possibilities. "Hello, ladies. Look at your man, now back to me. Now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me. But if he stopped using lady-scented body wash and switched to Old Spice, he could smell like he's me." The ad struck a chord, going viral online and winning the prestigious Grand Prix. This commercial didn't just sell deodorant; it sold a lifestyle filled with confidence, charm, and a hint of absurdity.

5. The Guardian's "Skinhead" Commercial

In a world flooded with biased narratives, The Guardian dared to offer a different perspective—one that sought truth above everything else. The Guardian's award-winning "Skinhead" commercial was screened in 1986 when the economy was unstable and unemployment hit a postwar high. There had never been a time when trust in the media and press freedom were more crucial. Inspired by the notion that truth is often multifaceted, the concept that would go down in history was born. Exploiting the stereotype about skinhead culture, the commercial showed that an event seen from different points of view gives totally different impressions, and only by seeing the full picture can you fully understand what's going on. In just 30 seconds, The Guardian's message was clear: in a world of chaos, trust us to show you all of the perspectives.

6. Volvo's "The Epic Split"

What's the best way to demonstrate the precision and ease of driving new Volvo trucks? By filming a man doing a split between two trucks on their rearview mirrors while they're going in reverse, of course! And not just any man, but Jean-Claude Van Damme. Van Damme's gymnastic feat was featured in a single take, with both trucks cruising in reverse. Yes, he had some sneaky safety gear on, but still, it's quite impressive. The YouTube video went viral, racking up over 100 million views. But the success didn't stop there. It's estimated that Volvo spent $3-4 million on the campaign but generated a whopping $170 million in revenue. Now that's what you call a stunt worth every penny!

7. Dos Equis' "The Most Interesting Man in the World"

And last, but certainly not least, we raise a toast to the man, the myth, the legend: "The Most Interesting Man in the World." If you're a fan of meme culture, you've probably seen this a million times. While other beer ads were all about wild parties and bros, Dos Equis took a different route. They introduced us to a suave, worldly gentleman straight out of a Hemingway novel. But here's the twist: they didn't sacrifice the humor. Their ads were packed with clever one-liners that had us chuckling in our pints. "He is the life of parties he has never attended. If he were to punch you in the face, you would have to fight off the strong urge to thank him. Sharks have a week dedicated to him." Not to mention, sales of Dos Equis increased by 22%, while sales of other imported beers fell by 4% in the US. "Stay thirsty, my friends."

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the annals of advertising history. These commercials not only sold products but also told stories, connected with audiences, and became cultural touchstones. Let us know in the comments what we should cover next. And remember, follow Plainly on YouTube for more great content!