The Ads That Made Us: Canadian Club, Yellow Pages, and Penrith cinemas

The Ads That Made Us Dec 1

This Week: Will Harms, Matt Geersen, and Josh Halling

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.

Will Harms – Co-founder and Head of Product at Half Dome

Canadian Club’s ‘Over Beer’

“For me, this is the definition of a simple insight executed well. It’s an ad that manages to satire Australia’s beer drinking culture whilst simultaneously hijacking the ultimate category entry point for males – having a beer.

“We know consistency matters, so I particularly love how Canadian Club has stuck with the ‘Over Beer’ platform for 13 years but evolved it over time to ensure it remains fresh. Genius.”

Matt Geersen – Creative Partner, Connecting Plots

Not Happy Jan

“For a magical period of time you couldn’t go a week without hearing the phrase ‘Not. Happy. Jan.’ uttered by someone after a screw up. I still say it from time to time, but with each passing year I receive more and more blank stares, as the memory fades away into obscurity.

“I can remember the ad being parodied countless times, well before the days of YouTube. It was truly viral before viral was ever a thing.’

Josh Halling – Commercial Director, NOVA Entertainment

Marina Voncina Lawyers; Little & Rabie Retravision

“We went to the local Penrith cinemas growing up, and these two ads were on every time, to the point where we would eagerly anticipate them and be disappointed if they weren’t part of the pre-movie credits. At ten years of age, I was in the market for neither product, and had no idea that 15 years later I’d be getting my first role in media as a rep for The Edge 96.ONE, a western Sydney based station whose original office was next door to the very cinema we attended.”

See Also: The Ads That Made Us: Slash, Schmackos, and Snappy fish

Top Image: Will Harms, Matt Geersen, Josh Halling

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