The Ads That Made Us: Wonderman, The Wardrobe and The Bear, and Ghost Chips

The Ads That Made Us - September 5

This week: Brittany Heniedi, Chris Buchanan and Maddy Hunter.

Whether it’s a childhood jingle that you can still sing word for word or a campaign that influences the way you work today, everyone has an ad that has really stuck with them.

Mediaweek has been asking the industry to take a trip down memory lane to find out all about the ads that made us.

Brittany Heniedi, solutions lead – Avid Collective 

Libra Invisible ‘Wonderman’

Growing up, I remember internalising a lot of my curiosity and confusion around puberty, periods, and the like. ‘Libra Invisible Wonderman’ changed the game in a big way.

A simple, effective and humourous take on what was a (semi) taboo topic for me, at the time. Not only did Libra help normalise the conversation around having a period, but it took liberties by making it funny.

Opening up a new realm of new possibilities around vulnerability, candidness and culture around menstruation for a young person like me.

Chris Buchanan, associate creative director – Communicado

Canal+: The wardrobe, Canal+: The bear

I still remember seeing “The Wardrobe” for the first time and being intrigued before laughing out loud when the punchline hit.
 
I liked the structure and the storytelling involved, with the reveal at the end making it all make sense and representing the idea in such a funny and absurd way.
 
When they followed it up with “The Bear” I felt the same way all over again. The power of comedy combined with a strong idea that you don’t expect has been imprinted on my brain and become my benchmark for advertising perfection.

Maddy Hunter – social media manager – Wellcom

Ghost Chips

I’m a Kiwi who has recently made the move over to Sydney so I don’t have a huge amount of knowledge on pivotal Aussie ads.

Ghost Chips, however, is legendary in New Zealand. An anti-drink driving ad with dark humour to drive home the message.

To this day, phrases are still quoted and the sentiment is still remembered – a true cultural phenomenon. Something I took from it as a kid and still use (almost too) regularly is; “I’m internalising a really complicated situation in my head.“ Great content sticks around.

To take part in future editions of The Ads That Made Us, please email: [email protected]

Past editions of The Ads That Made Us

Top image: Brittany Heniedi, Chris Buchanan and Maddy Hunter

To Top