In this article, you will find 500 of the most creative advertisement ideas that were used in the past years to promote various brands.
Advertising is all around us day by day, be it in print, online, on billboards, or on TV.
According to some recent research, we’re running across 362 ads per day (brand exposures excluded), but we are not aware of it because only 3% of the ads manage to leave an impression. That makes about 12 advertisement ideas that keep us engaged. Ads on social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn need to work extra hard to grab attention and stop people from scrolling away.
Ads on social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn need to work extra hard to grab attention and stop people from scrolling away.
Swimming out of this advertising clutter is not as difficult for us as it is for advertisers, who struggle to come up with creative ads for the target audience.
In order to make their ad attractive, creative advertising needs a solid concept and a unique design, so that people will actually pay attention to their layouts and how they present them. In fact, what matters the most for us as viewers, is to remember that a creative ad existed.
To be completely honest, we all approach creative advertising ideas with a certain dose of prejudice, which is the reason why we sometimes underestimate the effort of B2B marketing agency professionals to connect with us in an entertaining way.
The other reason for such an approach is that we’re overwhelmed by advertising ideas that have raised the threshold of expectations, and, as a result, an advertisement needs to be really good to impress us.
There are many clever, text-free advertisement ideas that have a joking tone and make us laugh, others that pose a question to make us think, but the most successful ones are those that cause an instant emotional reaction.
Companies are using this smart strategy of respecting our sense of humor/intellect, instead of coming up with cheap advertisement ideas with flashy images and low-cut necklines to catch attention.
In fact, many brands have started collaborating with popular YouTube Influencers to reach their target audience effectively. YouTube Influencers have a strong presence on the platform and can engage their followers through authentic content.
Most of the time, these uninspiring ads are not even ‘speaking’ about the company and what they do, but they make an actual point on how their product is going to improve our lives.
This draws our attention to products we wouldn’t think of otherwise.
Nobody wants to hear how long a company exists before he’s actually liked their products, and so it is more interesting, then, to focus on the sophistication of those products instead, and why they are necessary to him. An attractive advertisement, therefore, catches the viewer’s attention.
Both conventional and online commercial ad design have to attract us in a few seconds, if not; it has failed to complete its mission.
The ‘cool advertisements’ factor is long overcome by big corporations, and they’ve understood that they have to ‘touch our souls’ in order to make us look at something twice.
Creative advertisement ideas
Creativity means the world to advertising, and this can be confirmed by almost any professional out there.
According to Stephan Vogel, Ogilvy & Mather Germany’s chief creative officer, creativity is the key to successful advertisement ideas, because it helps commercials last longer, and companies spend less on them.
But what does creative advertising actually stand for?
Is it an interesting attribute prescribed to a product, or a fancy catalog exposing its benefits?
There are many experiments claiming that creativity sends a stronger message and creates a positive impression of the product. Research confirms that innovative adds boast sales and improve purchases overall.
However, there is not enough empirical evidence to confirm that creative messages increase sales, but not because there is no straightforward connection, but rather because companies don’t have a systematic approach for calculating the effectiveness of their ads.
We do know, however, that when it comes to the advertisement of any product, from creative publicity ads to clothing advertisements or even college advertisement ideas, an advertisement which transcends the product will have a wider impact. This is why branding has proven itself so successful. Creative ad design ideas work.
Finally, what does creative mean when it comes to advertisement ideas?
While looking for measurable dimensions and factors that influence creativity, we focused on social/educational psychology and defined creative as divergent thinking, directed towards the discovery of uncommon and non-obvious problem solutions. This means that creative advertisements are unique. When searching for advertising campaign ideas, it, therefore, helps to search for a range of innovative perspectives, building upon ideas so that innovation may thrive.
The founder of this definition, Ellis Paul Torrance (an American psychologist who developed the TTCT creative thinking test), introduced a battery of measures that can estimate the capacity of individuals to think creatively and to make a contribution to their environment.
His test works on the basis of four dimensions (originality, fluency, elaboration, and abstractness).
This is how the test works: firstly, it poses a question and evaluates the capacity of the tested individual to develop relevant ideas to answer it (fluency).
The second step is to compare the answers to previous ones and see how many of them are actually unique (originality).
Finally, the test pays attention to the amount of detail provided in the answers (elaboration) and whether they actually refer to something concrete or go beyond the boundaries (abstractness).
The test also pays attention to so-called ‘premature closure measures’, taking into account the factors an individual uses to answer the questions and to process the information.
This process was first used in the 2000s, by an Indiana University researcher Robert Smith, who was dealing with creative communication at the time and established a straightforward connection between creative brands and execution elements, and the success of advertised content.
He developed five dimensions of creativity instead, and we’ve based our today’s survey on them:
Originality in advertisement ideas
When an ad is original, that means that it contains rare/unexpected elements, and moves away from advertising as we know it. A creative ad concept brings something new and intriguing in order to capture attention.
Advertisement ideas have to be unique, meaning that the creator is free to diverge from common visual experiences and verbal solutions. Creative ads, therefore, push the boundaries.
For example, a prototype detergent commercial highlights customer satisfaction with his clothes being white after washing, while perfumes draw attention with good-looking models and amazing traffic-free landscapes. However, as an advertiser, you can push the boundaries when it comes to ad ideas. From creative newspaper ads to television advertising examples, you can offer creative advertise ideas.
We can draw inspiration from the successful and unique commercial that is Coca-Cola’s ‘Happiness Factory’ which provides an excellent example of creative commercials.
Flexibility in cool advertisements
When an ad is more flexible than usual, it reaches a larger range of audiences with a larger range of ideas.
Take Kraft Foods, for instance, and their 2011 Jacobs Krönung commercial, which showed men struggling to complete household activities while women were enjoying their coffee. Challenging social norms provide innovative advertising ideas which appeal to a diverse audience.
Synthesis
Synthesis refers to building a connection between supposedly unrelated ideas and objects.
Wrigley’s chewing gum advert provides a good example: They used to have a commercial with cattle-corralled rabbits eating berries, bananas and melon, while their buckteeth were growing as with the Juicy Fruit chewing gums. Rabbits and chewing gums have little in common, but the divergent story was very successful. This proves that interesting ads grab attention.
The artistic value in interesting advertisements
In order for creative campaign ideas to be artistically valuable, they have to contain many appealing elements (visual, verbal, and sound).
The production has to be the highest quality possible, using clever dialogues, smart color schemes, and memorable music, which would make a consumer perceive it as a piece of art rather than a common sales pitch.
More creative advertisement ideas
Creative advertising ideas are a sure catch if they are attractive or funny. Humor appeals to all audiences. From advertisement ideas for kids to summer ads sharing holiday ideas.
If advertisements have these qualities they’ve accomplished the basis of interesting ads. If they’re also well thought they’ll surely get the customers’ attention. Some print advertisements will make you smile and you will like others just because of their bright ideas. Enjoy!
Hawaiian Tropic: Extreme waterproof
Sargam: For better digestion
Durex Performa: Delays your climax so you can last longer
Travel Studio
Hot Wheels: Kids! Do try this at home
New Straits Times
Sundek: Unplug yourself
Insurance ETB
Sensodyne Protects
Baygon: Fight your worst fear. Use Baygon
Axe: Emergency Exit Sign
Banco Financiero
Bob Martin: Imagine what it could do for your dog
Viking: Nothing cuts grass better
Breathe Right: Get rid of the Snore
See Further
Dulcolax Laxative: It works
Reveal Your Dark Side
Parodontax: Rescue gums
Decathlon
NaturaSi Organic Shops
ENO: Make heavy meal light
Maglite
Stihl: Think bigger
Stroy Master Soundproof Windows
Autan: Gotta love the outdoors, the view, the people
Soviet Jeans
Miracles happen only on Sky Sport
Mozambique Music Awards
Rubbermaid
Stella Artois: Perfection has its price
Don’t Drink & Drive
Bose
Yin-Yang Martial Arts School
Suplicy Cafe: Awaken the post lunch PhD that lives inside you
Arkade. A survival guide
Sony: Theatre atmosphere
Meio e Mensagem
Olympus: Image stabilization
Ultje Crispers
Zoo Safari
Earpick Groom: Only you can’t see how the creature is growing
Mazda 6. The road is the best gift you can give it
SnapTax.ca: Paper is evil
Dacia: Service 24/7
Juicy Fruit
Staff Jeans
Harvey Nichols: Fashion statement
Children for a Better World: Fashion for Food
Fresh Step
Available for careless drivers, at all intersections
Cobra Car Alarms
Fedex
CNN: Stories with the full background
Bioblas: No escape for hair
Old Spice: Fiji
McDonald’s: The Real Milkshake. Now With Double Flavor
Sensodyne Protects
Stihl: Think bigger
No reason is a good reason to harm the nature
OHL Highway Concessions: Making Road
Volkswagen Tiguan. Off-road has never been so exciting
It’s time to change for fiber optics
Reporters Without Borders
Shortcut to the story
Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist. Keeps you awake
Without tomato sauce there’s no pasta
Google Maps Street View: Know before you go
FedEx: Within walking distance
Jooooy Finally Has Meaning
RATP
Bröker Security Systems: Security Systems Perfectly Integrated
Envision Financial: The right plan can bring your goals to life
Calgary Food Bank: Yes we also accept fresh food donations
A tree never dies alone
Jeep: Take It Outside
Fiat: Drinking and driving can be tricky
Allied Pickfords: Deliver the impossible
The bad guys are still on the top floors
Axion Oxi: One less headache
Traffic accidents start long before they happen. If you drink, don’t drive
DDB
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Juicy Fruit
Toronto Crime Stoppers: Your tips help expose criminals
Do you still want to see creative advertising ideas?
There are plenty more in this article.
Read on.
DraftFCB
Pledge: Furniture polish
Miracel Whip: only 4.9% fat
KIT Gold Series: Perfectly shiny
Cruzeiro do Sul University: Distance learning
Canon PowerShot S90: With optical image stabilizer
Bob Martin: Imagine what it could do for your dog
Euro RSCG
Control Extra Lube
Peugeot: Standard Parking Assistance Control
Ogilvy & Mather
Allied Pickfords: Deliver the impossible
Hot Wheels: Speeding ticket
h4>JWT
Corona Extra: Drink responsibly
SHS: Fight sleep
Publicis
Rowenta Vacuum Cleaner
Omax: Wide Angle Lenses
Lowe
Stella Artois: Perfection has its price 2
Saatchi & Saatchi
Carlsberg Weather
Carlsberg: Camouflage
Ariel: Don’t be afraid
SPCA: It’s time to neuter your dog
I see dead people
Anticipate the road
Land Rover Defender
Free calls between midnight and 5am
DHL: No matter what, we know how to protect
Mitsubishi L200 Triton: No photoshop
Disconnect, enjoy Rio
Don’t wait for a job to fall on you. Find your vacancy at job.ru
USA with a higher IQ
SBS: The Seven Billionth story
Jobgroup. Agency for permanent or temporary work
Free your joints. Life Nutrition
Be One With The Wild
Aljazeera Network: Gaddafi is Dead
Elite Paintball
Grand Casino: Queen of spades
Grand Casino: Full house
French Mushrooms
Solgar multivitamins: Encourages multitasking
Be conscious. Disconnect.
Catch your breath. Terra Travel
Siemens: Keep Your Kitchen Fresh
A learning experience beyond the ordinary
Shopping Total
Begendik Supermarket
Words create worlds
Now give your fries the perfect tan
Sunlight dishwashing liquid
Sony noise cancelling headphones
We send to heaven all the mice of your home
That’s why we don’t have front wheel drives
BKS 2620 vacuum cleaner. Very quiet. BEKO
Romantic FM. Throughout the country
Help mother nature to fight back
Pepsi
With Vitamin D to make kids strong
Stronger Roots with TopRain Fertilizer
Next time you will use DHL
Chupa Chups
Vegetarian cuisine Café Kopel
Cernobyl. Causes and consequences
Fitness Company
Stop motion sickness with Bonamine
Tortoise. Mosquito repellent
Mir
Indicate the places you’ve visited. You lose 1/3 of your life sleeping. Time to wake up
Arbor Day. Respect
The alarm clock ruins everything. Folgers. Tolerate mornings.
If you can’t have it, build it
The 12th Annual Women’s Golf Classic: Priceless
Ram Trucks
Clark&Kent
Getty Images Editorial. Images In Real-Time from the Olympics
If it’s not Goodyear, good luck
LG Car Audio
Awkward
The definitive Diamond Jubilee coverage
Easy to assemble furniture
The boneless chicken by Perdigão
Ruff Haus Pets
Stains have evolved
Money makes you look younger
We’re for the real thing
Piano Media
Etisalat: Global Voice Roaming
Save your patterns
Airsana dehumidifiers by Henkel
Whatever life breaks up
Every headache has the same solution
Escape to nature
Live to cheer
OMO dirt is good
For those things you were too busy at school to learn
Stop trying
CO-OP Financial Services
Kills germs and whitens teeth
Speed up your mind
If you drive on drugs, you’re out of your mind
Anti acne cleansing cream
Waterloo Gin
Coming early?
The best photos for the best ideas
Nothing replaces a trip
Boss Insecticide
Animals can only scream. You can prevent
Hotwheels Vintage Collection
The largest trade partner of the European Union is now another country. The world is a hard place to understand
Lenor fabric softener
Make your English clear
Bake big moments
Don’t coffee-block your smile
IMAX is believing
The Big Ideas Brush Pack
Small Cakes. Big Occasions
Soft mattresses for sound sleep
The social media for the married ones
86 percent of sex workers are mothers
You don’t need it but you’ll buy it
Adopt a pet. The stories will follow
These are our models
Fiat 500
Suspense in more detail. 13th Street now in HD
For extra tough stains
Smoking is dangerous
Nothing happens without a soundtrack
Show your hidden beauty
70% of abused children turn into abusive adults
For a kid a toy is never just a toy
MASP Art School. Open enrollment
Videos get old really quick
Noraver: From a zombie to a tenor
Banana flavored milk
Skoda Superb with automatic DSG gearbox
Images that tell everything
Every side of the sound
What will we worship next?
Come with a story and leave with another
Advanced Whitening
A legend can never be brought down
Care for your most precious treasure: your skin
MNB. Many want in, Few can get in
Car Cleaning
Behind beggars there are people making fortunes
BMW with Backup Sensors
Mobility for Everyone
Toku-Chan Korean BBQ House
Make Christmas more cinematic
Hello, Mozart
Hankook Tire
Give your fingers a better use. Examine yourself for testicular cancer
As the varieties of corn disappear, the peasants disappear too
Personal lubricant Aleolub. Make it possible
Creative Imagery
We play any sound
Your father-in-law’s approval is not easy. But it doesn’t need to be expensive
Living Christmas Trees
No logistic challenge is big enough
Fine Cut Knives
When your eyes are on the phone, they are not on the road
Make your CV stronger
Things are about to get interesting
Budweiser Budvar non-alcoholic
Visit the Tour D’Amour at Valentine’s Day
Winter coffee Forest Fairytale
Treat Yourself Better
Jam Packed with Japanese Engineering
What they see is what you are
New wife, new rules
Sales up to 40%. You can get more
Bad luck never misses
Tossing and Turning all night?
Only protects you from the sun
Photo retouching – CGI
Adam Teva V’Din
The sea can’t take no more
You’re the key
India’s most trusted Nilkamal Plastic Chairs
Our Business is motorcycles
Cockroaches pretend to be dead. Kill their careers
And you, why do you read?
METH
Just like you’ve been there
LG: Time Machine
Beijing Sports Radio
Leave your problems behind
Unleash the chaos
Not that you would, but you could
Karate for kids
The world loses 1.598 astronauts everyday
125 years at the movies
Get to us before he gets to you
Happy Valentine’s Week
Here’s to the After Hours Athlete
Audi: Passion leaves its mark again
Nobody’s immune to breast cancer
You are what you read
Exciting conversations don’t come out of your schoolbook
We have a hurricane on the ice, and a tidal wave right behind it
Are you sure your career choice is the best fit?
More advertisement ideas in this article.
Keep scrolling.
Smile! You’re in camera!
Volkswagen Side Assist
Arrive in better shape
Detecting pedestrians before you do
Vogele Shoes
Pfizer Viagra: Unleash the beast
Aspirin
Braun: Precision trimmer
Because your hair is your most beautiful accessory
Multiple Sclerosis sabotages your central nervous system
Bank Forum: Hysteria. German style
Text messaging while driving is equal to a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent
Desertification destroys 6.000 species every year
Back seat belts: they’re there for a reason
We create. Your kid imagines
Whatever the road brings it keeps on going
Even on your most stressful day
Take a five minute holiday
Valspar Paints
Ray-ban
Tropical Sno
Lasikvision Corrective Surgery
MLK Dream Weekend
US Preventive Medicine / The Prevention Plan
Moen
Turtle Wax
Shiner Beer
Take control of your finances
Discovery Channel: Dirty Jobs
novopelle
Learn the world’s original contact sport.
Extend hope
Real hats for real men
Drink tap
AT&T Wireless International Roaming
Margarita Mayhem
Ugly Mug Coffee
CO-OP Financial Services
Glyde
Sports Comeback Movie Recipe
Bottled water: 98% melted icecap. 2% polar bear tears
Zippo
A world divided. A journey uncharted. aiononline.com
Where will amazing happen this year?
Fast and fuel efficient. Introducing the Forte. The first of its kind
Miller Lite
Max Magazine
Manix lubricant
Whatever life breaks up
Evian
Missed your CSI episode?
Don’t let osteoporosis destroy your bones.
Café BonoGrão
From Manchester to the world
The Real Milkshake.
You have no idea where 99,9% of bacteria comes from
Bravery isn’t learnt in front of the telly
Spots the danger before you do.
Bench Fix Hairstyling Products
With built-in projector. Create and share instantly.
Brain injuries pull families apart
Audio Books
Switch off illegal downloads
Next time, try it with a fresh breath
Welcome to a front row
Milk
Let it Out
Go for Sporting Gold. A winning blend of British Hops
Free to move
The German Crafts
An Alcoholics never drink alone
Hopefully these days make up for all others.
Cancer can also be hidden and you just don’t know
The Sea level is increasing. We are all in danger
Fox Movies
Paper Mate Liquid Paper
Poly-Brite
Choose Later – Up to 130 consecutive shots
Rejected script?
Closer to the classical
Lego: Imagine
Smells like you’re being an idiot
Brazilian Red Cross
When you drink there are some boundaries you don´t want to cross
New panoramic 360°
Who’s driving you home tonight
Get 15% more concrete from every bag
Get 15% more concrete from every bag 2
Don’t throw out your books. Donate them
Don’t throw out your books. Donate them 2
Captures everything
Whoomm! MaxxLux highlighter
This year, OREO turns 100 years young
No more fat excuses
Blow it out of proportion
An early pregnancy is no fairy tale
Handmade Masterpiece. Italian long lasting quality belts
So spicy, you’ll run out of tears
What seems like a great idea today, sticks with you for 50 years
The youth academy chooses them
The fine art of being a man
SPIT, extra strong fixings
Air Show in Salvador
Dogs have issues too
Utah Department of Highway Safety
ComFree Real Estate Service
Eliminates 99,9% of bacterias
Cabernet sauvignon goes well with red meat. Marcus james goes well with you.
World Water Day
Take care of your heart. One day you might need it.
Do not be apart from who you love. Always wear your seatbelt
Senac Rio Photoshop Workshop
Make your English clear
Not even that missing ear gets more attention than mouth without care
Senac Rio Photoshop Workshop
Get rid of grease
Paper Mate Liquid Paper
A small faulty screw once crashed an airliner taking 219 lives. Your body is machine 10X more complex. Smoking can damage any single part of it.
We’re almost near the end of this advertisement ideas article.
Choose Your Story
Sometimes it’s not easy to stop. Efficient grip tyres
Pleasure in your hands. Playboy Magazine
Goodyear Ultra Grip Tyres
FAQ about creative advertising ideas
How do I come up with original creative advertising ideas?
Well, the key is to think outside the box. Look for inspiration everywhere, from books, movies, personal experiences, or even your dreams.
Brainstorm with your team, and don’t be afraid to throw around wild ideas. The more diverse your sources, the better. Just remember to keep your target audience in mind and make sure your idea is relevant to them.
What makes an ad concept stand out from the rest?
An ad concept stands out when it’s unexpected, memorable, and has a strong emotional connection with the audience.
It should also be visually striking and have a clear message that resonates with your target market. If your ad can make people stop, think, and feel something, you’ve got a winner on your hands!
Can you give me examples of creative ads that worked?
Sure thing! One example is the iconic Apple “1984” ad, which introduced the Macintosh computer.
It was daring, cinematic, and truly groundbreaking. Another example is the Dove “Real Beauty” campaign that challenged beauty standards by featuring real women of different shapes, sizes, and ages.
Both ads connected with the audience on an emotional level and left a lasting impression.
How important is storytelling in creative advertising?
Storytelling is super important in creative advertising. A good story can captivate your audience, evoke emotions, and make your brand memorable. People love stories, and they’re more likely to remember an ad with a compelling narrative than one that simply lists product features. So, make sure your ad tells a story that your audience can relate to and remember.
Should I use humor in my ads?
Humor can be a great tool in advertising if used wisely. It can help create a strong emotional connection, make your ad memorable, and get people talking. However, make sure the humor is relevant to your brand and target audience. Be cautious about using humor that might be offensive or divisive, as it could backfire.
How can I make my ad go viral?
There’s no guaranteed formula for going viral, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances. Create content that is shareable, engaging, and emotionally resonant.
Leverage influencers and social media platforms to amplify your message. And, don’t forget to optimize your content for search engines and social media algorithms.
What role does design play in creative advertising?
Design plays a crucial role in creative advertising. It’s not just about making your ad look pretty; it’s about effectively communicating your message and evoking the desired emotions.
Great design can help your ad stand out, be memorable, and ultimately drive results. So, invest time and resources in creating visually striking and well-designed ads.
How can I measure the success of my creative ad campaign?
To measure the success of your campaign, establish clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) from the start. Some common KPIs include impressions, clicks, conversions, and engagement rates. Use analytics tools to track your progress, and adjust your strategy if necessary.
Remember, though, that some creative campaigns might have less tangible results, like increased brand awareness or positive sentiment, which are harder to measure.
How can I stay updated on creative advertising trends?
To stay updated on creative advertising trends, follow industry blogs, websites, and social media channels. Attend conferences, workshops, and webinars to learn from experts in the field.
Also, keep an eye on award-winning campaigns, as they often set the tone for upcoming trends. Regularly updating your knowledge will help you stay ahead of the curve and create cutting-edge campaigns.
How do I create a creative ad on a tight budget?
Creating a creative ad on a tight budget can be challenging, but it’s definitely possible! First, focus on a strong concept that doesn’t rely on expensive resources. Use low-cost tools and platforms for design and production, like Canva, Flipsnack, or Adobe Express.
Leverage your network and social media to promote your ad, and consider collaborating with influencers for added reach. Remember, creativity and resourcefulness often trump big budgets when it comes to making an impact.
I hope these cool ads have inspired you, to churn up creative work ideas so that you can work towards interesting advertisements for your audience.
If you liked this article with advertisement ideas, you should also check out these print ads articles: