Buzz
Ad slogans and taglines typically come across as bold declarations. For example, It takes a licking and keeps on ticking; or With a name like Smuckers....it has to be good; or Good to the last drop. However, I’ve always preferred the ones that pose a question. Below are 18 of the most unforgettable ad questions. If your favorite isn't listed, leave a comment and let us know!
1. Got milk?
Brand: California Milk Processor Board Ad Campaign Launched: 1993 That $10,000 trivia question: True fans of the campaign should remember the very first TV ad featuring the history enthusiast answering the question: 'Who shot Alexander Hamilton in that famous duel?' (A. Sitting Vice President Aaron Burr, naturally, in 1804.)
2. Have you taken a Ford for a spin lately?
Brand: Ford Ad Campaign Launched: 1982 Can you say Sigma?: The initial name for the Ford Taurus was Sigma. However, Ford's leadership didn’t like it and changed it to Taurus, inspired by the fact that the two top executives overseeing the launch had wives born under the Taurus zodiac sign.
3. Can you hear me now?
Brand: Verizon Wireless Ad Campaign Launched: 2002 Who’s that guy? Paul Marcarelli, an actor and writer. He has a twin brother, Matthew, who is a well-decorated lieutenant with the New Haven Fire Department.
4. Where would you like to go today?
Brand: Microsoft Ad Campaign Launched: 1994 Madison Ave? Not exactly. This tagline was created by Wieden+Kennedy, a firm based in Portland, Oregon. The same duo, Dan Wieden and David Kennedy, also came up with Nike’s iconic slogan: Just do it.
5. Do you... Yahoo!?
Brand: Yahoo! Ad Campaign Launched: 1996 Yah-ching! There are more Yahoo! email accounts worldwide than twice the population of Mexico. The name Yahoo! stands for: Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.
6. Does she or doesn’t she?
Brand: Clairol Ad Campaign Launched: 1964 What’s in a name? Clairol, founded in 1931, got its name from a hair-coloring product discovered in France during a trip by the company’s founders.
7. Where’s the beef?
Brand: Wendy's Ad Campaign Launched: 1984 Watch it now:
8. How do you spell relief?
Brand: Rolaids Ad Campaign Launched: 1970s What’s in a name? The name supposedly comes from its classic packaging: a roll wrapped in foil (similar to Lifesavers, etc.).
9. Is it live, or is it Memorex?
Brand: Memorex Ad Campaign Launched: 1971 Did you know? Ella Fitzgerald featured in one of the original ads:
10. This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?
Brand: Partnership for a Drug-Free America Ad Campaign Launched: 1987 Did you know? The famous line we remember was, “This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” But the ad aired with a slightly different version: “This is your brain. This is drugs. This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?”
11. Aren’t you glad you use Dial? Don’t you wish everyone did?
Brand: Dial Ad Campaign Launched: 1953 Blast from the past: The 1950s were a golden era for TV commercials.
12. Did someone mention McDonald's?
Brand: McDonald's Ad Campaign Launched: 1997 Did somebody say hit the slopes? Forget the typical Drive-thru. In Sälen, Sweden, McDonald's offers a ski-thru service.
13. What would you do for a Klondike bar?
Brand: Good Humor-Breyers Ad Campaign Launched: Early 1982 Did you know? The original Klondike was introduced in 1929 and initially sold only in Pennsylvania and Ohio until the 1970s. The polar bear has been part of the packaging since day one.
14. How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie-Roll center of a Tootsie-Pop?
Brand: Tootsie-Roll Ad Campaign Launched: 1969 Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin': Unless you grew up in the '70s, you might not have seen the longer version where a cartoon boy asks various animals the iconic question. The version most of us remember is the shorter one with the turtle and the owl, which is still airing today, making it one of the longest-running ads in history. Here's the original:
15. Doesn't your dog deserve ALPO?
Brand: Purina Ad Campaign Launched: 1970s What's in a name? ALPO stands for Allen Products, a company established in 1936 by Robert F. Hunsicker in Allentown, PA. Will the real spokesperson please stand up? ALPO has featured not one, but three famous ad icons: Lorne Greene, Ed McMahon, and Garfield.
16. Fun anyone?
Brand: Sony PlayStation Ad Campaign Launched: 2003 PlayStation Fun Fact: Initially, it was intended to be a CD add-on for the Super Nintendo. However, due to licensing issues and other challenges, Sony decided to develop the PlayStation as its own standalone console.
17. Wassup?!
Brand: Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Ad Campaign Launched: 1999 Wassup must come-a-down: While everyone remembers the many parodies, did you know the slogan even appeared in pop music? According to Wiki, "Whazzup" by True Party peaked at #13 on the UK Singles Chart in 2000, and "Wassup" by Da Muttz (a pseudonym for producers Alex Rizzo and Elliot Ireland) hit #11 in the UK and #12 in Australia on the ARIAnet singles chart, also in 2000.
18. Pardon me. Do you have any Grey Poupon?
Brand: Grey Poupon Ad Campaign Launched: 1980 Have you seen the original?
