The television advertisement has been around on our screens for almost 60 years. They portray all of our favourite products, promoted by either everyday celebrities or just normal everyday members of the British public.
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| The meerkats have become a regular feature of the advertising break |
It has been over 13 years since a programme was produced by Channel 4 to find the nation's greatest advert, and there have been some real gems since. Five years ago, I did a top 60 selection on my YouTube account, and have always noticed the commercials that actually can leave you laughing, amazed or even feeling a bit emotional.
In this five-part series for Viewing Perspectives, here is my updated list of the 100 Greatest TV adverts of all-time. This part covers numbers 80-61, with all years given a rough reference of when the commercial was either first screened or shown most regularly.
80. Compare
The Meerkat: First advert (2009)
No list would be complete without an appearance from those meerkats. In 2009, Aleksandar Orlov made his debut on television introducing his new brand, as an intention to mimic the Compare The Market brand. It worked, as no-one listens to the latter versions. Orlov normally features, with companions such as Sergei and has become a huge hit. This advert also introduced the 'Simples' word into the English language.
No list would be complete without an appearance from those meerkats. In 2009, Aleksandar Orlov made his debut on television introducing his new brand, as an intention to mimic the Compare The Market brand. It worked, as no-one listens to the latter versions. Orlov normally features, with companions such as Sergei and has become a huge hit. This advert also introduced the 'Simples' word into the English language.
79. Coca Cola:
Three-legged striker (2002)
In 2002, Coca Cola created a three-legged striker. Enter 'Leggsy,' who would be seen for the next two years in break bumpers during ITV's doomed three-year highlights association with The Premiership. His first televised part though was the best, which sees him laughed at by his friends when he attempts to show off his soccer skills, but ultimately win a late call-up to the England squad in fortunate circumstances, and comes off the bench to score the winning goal in the World Cup final. As to date, no England striker can claim they have three legs - it might help in competitive matches!
In 2002, Coca Cola created a three-legged striker. Enter 'Leggsy,' who would be seen for the next two years in break bumpers during ITV's doomed three-year highlights association with The Premiership. His first televised part though was the best, which sees him laughed at by his friends when he attempts to show off his soccer skills, but ultimately win a late call-up to the England squad in fortunate circumstances, and comes off the bench to score the winning goal in the World Cup final. As to date, no England striker can claim they have three legs - it might help in competitive matches!
78. Renault:
Shake It (2003)
French car manufacturer Renault introduced another word into the English language in 2003 that wasn't commonly associated before then. There is some use of the new Megane model, and a lot of shaking for 'La derrière.' Supposedly, the closer to the steering wheel it is, the better the driving experience is, though that is probably up for debate.
French car manufacturer Renault introduced another word into the English language in 2003 that wasn't commonly associated before then. There is some use of the new Megane model, and a lot of shaking for 'La derrière.' Supposedly, the closer to the steering wheel it is, the better the driving experience is, though that is probably up for debate.
77. The
Guardian: Point of View (1986)
The Guardian newspaper has been around since 1821, although in those days, it was known as the 'Manchester Guardian.' In 1986, this advert was declared a success by critics, which tells a story from three different points of view. It is only from the third angle that you seen the full picture of what is about to happen. This newspaper is one that most can still trust after the phone-hacking scandal of 2011 that tore through the tabloid and broadsheet industry, leading to the demise of one of its main competitors the News of the World.
The Guardian newspaper has been around since 1821, although in those days, it was known as the 'Manchester Guardian.' In 1986, this advert was declared a success by critics, which tells a story from three different points of view. It is only from the third angle that you seen the full picture of what is about to happen. This newspaper is one that most can still trust after the phone-hacking scandal of 2011 that tore through the tabloid and broadsheet industry, leading to the demise of one of its main competitors the News of the World.
76. McCain
Micro Chips: Quickety Quick (1994)
The McCain chip family has been around for a long time, but for those who love their chips (like myself), and are in a rush, then they came up with a product that has chips getting cooked to perfection in the microwave in just three minutes. Enter McCain Micro Chips and this classic jingle in 1994 - 'real chips, quickety quick.'
The McCain chip family has been around for a long time, but for those who love their chips (like myself), and are in a rush, then they came up with a product that has chips getting cooked to perfection in the microwave in just three minutes. Enter McCain Micro Chips and this classic jingle in 1994 - 'real chips, quickety quick.'
75. Pepsi
Max: Burnout (2011)
Pepsi Max have a history of producing commercials that are actually totally ridiculous. However, this particular advert in 2011 made me laugh, as the big boss has a complete burnout on a Friday afternoon. Let's be honest, drinking Pepsi Max and watching American motorsports action is a million times better than a tedious business meeting at the end of a long and tiring week.
Pepsi Max have a history of producing commercials that are actually totally ridiculous. However, this particular advert in 2011 made me laugh, as the big boss has a complete burnout on a Friday afternoon. Let's be honest, drinking Pepsi Max and watching American motorsports action is a million times better than a tedious business meeting at the end of a long and tiring week.
74. Snickers:
Mr. T (2007)
The famous figure of Mr. T appears in this advert for Snickers, with some catchy words for a footballer who has attempted to win a foul and fake an injury. Perhaps we should see more from Mr. T in a real football environment, as it might cut out the excessive diving that the game has today.
The famous figure of Mr. T appears in this advert for Snickers, with some catchy words for a footballer who has attempted to win a foul and fake an injury. Perhaps we should see more from Mr. T in a real football environment, as it might cut out the excessive diving that the game has today.
73. EDF
Energy: Athlete Dreams (2012)
EDF Energy was the power of electricity behind the Olympic Games in London last summer. Starring Team GB gold medalist and Strictly Come Dancing's Victoria Pendleton, two technicians have their own dreams, trying out events in the Velodrome, and the Olympic Stadium amongst others. You can't blame them for trying.
EDF Energy was the power of electricity behind the Olympic Games in London last summer. Starring Team GB gold medalist and Strictly Come Dancing's Victoria Pendleton, two technicians have their own dreams, trying out events in the Velodrome, and the Olympic Stadium amongst others. You can't blame them for trying.
72. Citroen:
Ice Skating Transformers (2004)
Citroen's second entry in the list is similar to the one they produced just over six years later. In the snowy conditions of central France, some Citroen technicians test out their new car, with the help of the model actually turning into an ice skating transformer. Some catchy music from artist David Guetta adds a decent beat to a commercial that was most definitely alive with technology.
Citroen's second entry in the list is similar to the one they produced just over six years later. In the snowy conditions of central France, some Citroen technicians test out their new car, with the help of the model actually turning into an ice skating transformer. Some catchy music from artist David Guetta adds a decent beat to a commercial that was most definitely alive with technology.
71. Clarks:
School Report (1980s)
As a shoe brand, Clarks is still one of the best when it comes to all-round comfort. I know the background of the company, having worked in retail with them for almost seven years (2005-2012). One aspect they've lacked in recent years is decent advertising campaigns, which wasn't a problem in the 1980s. Highlighting their strong aspect of looking after kids shoes, some of their most popular collections feature in this advert, putting together shoe flexibility and good grades in school reports. I still recommend that for a new school year, always go to Clarks - as their dedicated fitters will give customers the best experience you could ask for.
As a shoe brand, Clarks is still one of the best when it comes to all-round comfort. I know the background of the company, having worked in retail with them for almost seven years (2005-2012). One aspect they've lacked in recent years is decent advertising campaigns, which wasn't a problem in the 1980s. Highlighting their strong aspect of looking after kids shoes, some of their most popular collections feature in this advert, putting together shoe flexibility and good grades in school reports. I still recommend that for a new school year, always go to Clarks - as their dedicated fitters will give customers the best experience you could ask for.
70.
Nationwide: Little Britain (2010)
The England football team is on the training field, preparing for their dismal World Cup campaign in South Africa. Two famous characters from Little Britain appear, and distract Fabio Capello's attention, with Andy, played by Matt Lucas leaving some of the top professionals looking surprised with his skills. Nationwide ended their association with the team after World Cup 2010, but they went out on a high with this funny commercial.
The England football team is on the training field, preparing for their dismal World Cup campaign in South Africa. Two famous characters from Little Britain appear, and distract Fabio Capello's attention, with Andy, played by Matt Lucas leaving some of the top professionals looking surprised with his skills. Nationwide ended their association with the team after World Cup 2010, but they went out on a high with this funny commercial.
69. Cornetto:
Just One More Cornetto (1983)
On the gondola of beautiful Venice in Italy, this famous advert for Wall's Cornetto deserves to make the list. I'll let you watch rather than describe it. This advert was repeated again in a more modern fashion in 2006, but it simply doesn't beat the original.
On the gondola of beautiful Venice in Italy, this famous advert for Wall's Cornetto deserves to make the list. I'll let you watch rather than describe it. This advert was repeated again in a more modern fashion in 2006, but it simply doesn't beat the original.
68. T-Mobile:
Pillow Fight (2003)
Back in 2003, the latest phone craze for technical geeks was the introduction of picture messaging. T-Zones was the promotion for this when signing up with T-Mobile. It is a funny advert, but the use of pillows is strange.
Back in 2003, the latest phone craze for technical geeks was the introduction of picture messaging. T-Zones was the promotion for this when signing up with T-Mobile. It is a funny advert, but the use of pillows is strange.
67.
Budweiser: Whassup! (2000)
Whassup! was a successful advertising campaign that ran for four years by the American beer Budweiser. Although this advert first premiered in the States in late 1999, it wasn't until the year 2000 in the UK when we saw it for the first time. The catchphrase is quite tired now, but in its prime, it was seen as 'cool' to use it. The advert does tell a typical story for the neutral sports fan though: 'Not much mate, watching the game, having a bud.'
Whassup! was a successful advertising campaign that ran for four years by the American beer Budweiser. Although this advert first premiered in the States in late 1999, it wasn't until the year 2000 in the UK when we saw it for the first time. The catchphrase is quite tired now, but in its prime, it was seen as 'cool' to use it. The advert does tell a typical story for the neutral sports fan though: 'Not much mate, watching the game, having a bud.'
66. Pepsi:
Sumo Football (2002)
Ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Pepsi ran an advert for a match between some of the world superstars at the time such as Raul, David Beckham and Edgar Davids against a team of overweight, Japanese sumo wrestlers. The prize they were playing for was Pepsi. And who won, well watch to find out. However, don't call the underdogs as amateurs.
Ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Pepsi ran an advert for a match between some of the world superstars at the time such as Raul, David Beckham and Edgar Davids against a team of overweight, Japanese sumo wrestlers. The prize they were playing for was Pepsi. And who won, well watch to find out. However, don't call the underdogs as amateurs.
65. One2One:
Gary Oldman (2001)
Before the days of T-Mobile, One2One was one of the leading mobile phone networks. In its final year as it was known before being rebranded in 2002, Gary Oldman narrated this powerful 90-second commercial which expresses some of the emotions you can find in a one-to-one conversation, from chance meetings and heartbreak to more precious moments. I reckon this advert would get the attention of most.
Before the days of T-Mobile, One2One was one of the leading mobile phone networks. In its final year as it was known before being rebranded in 2002, Gary Oldman narrated this powerful 90-second commercial which expresses some of the emotions you can find in a one-to-one conversation, from chance meetings and heartbreak to more precious moments. I reckon this advert would get the attention of most.
64. Real
Fires: Togetherness (1988)
Who said that dogs, cats and mice can't get on. This advert, first screened in 1988 was created by director Tony Kaye, who has gone on to have great success in directing music videos and feature-length movies. It shows that animals can get on, and in a deadly situation as a real fire, there is no time for hate and bitterness.
Who said that dogs, cats and mice can't get on. This advert, first screened in 1988 was created by director Tony Kaye, who has gone on to have great success in directing music videos and feature-length movies. It shows that animals can get on, and in a deadly situation as a real fire, there is no time for hate and bitterness.
63. Vodafone:
Bees and Freebies (2010)
The Vodafone bees made their debut on the TV advert three years ago, promoting the new Vodafone Freebies incentive. This was a cracking advert, which shows one of the bees wanting to know more about the reward package, only to keep banging his head on a glass window without paying attention to a door just nearby to enter the shop. Typical clumsiness!
The Vodafone bees made their debut on the TV advert three years ago, promoting the new Vodafone Freebies incentive. This was a cracking advert, which shows one of the bees wanting to know more about the reward package, only to keep banging his head on a glass window without paying attention to a door just nearby to enter the shop. Typical clumsiness!
62. Weetabix:
Steeplechase (2009)
A major horse race takes place and there's a fall on the first fence. Both jockey and horse are unscathed, but the chances of victory are over. That bet you placed in the bookies was wasted, or was it? The jockey continues with the power of Weetabix and ends up winning the event. This is a superb imagination of man triumphing against the odds in The Rigby Stakes.
A major horse race takes place and there's a fall on the first fence. Both jockey and horse are unscathed, but the chances of victory are over. That bet you placed in the bookies was wasted, or was it? The jockey continues with the power of Weetabix and ends up winning the event. This is a superb imagination of man triumphing against the odds in The Rigby Stakes.
61. Honda:
The Impossible Dream (2005)
When it comes to producing and creating car adverts, no-one does it much better like Honda. Travelling through time on some of the classic machinery that Honda has produced over the years, this advert portrays the impossible dream, as actor Simon Paisley Day rides, sings and drives through time in two minutes, with the perfect backing music from the late great Andy Williams. The commercial was filmed on roads in New Zealand and the Iguazu Falls in South America and tingles the beat of many watching.
When it comes to producing and creating car adverts, no-one does it much better like Honda. Travelling through time on some of the classic machinery that Honda has produced over the years, this advert portrays the impossible dream, as actor Simon Paisley Day rides, sings and drives through time in two minutes, with the perfect backing music from the late great Andy Williams. The commercial was filmed on roads in New Zealand and the Iguazu Falls in South America and tingles the beat of many watching.
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