Hey there, dear readers! Welcome to a fascinating journey into the depths of advertising, where we explore the remnants of ad campaigns and products that have long been forgotten. In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of these lost treasures, understand why they faded away, and cherish them for what they were. 💎

Here’s what we will cover:

  • The origins of abandoned ad campaigns
  • The rise and fall of iconic products
  • The curious case of failed ad slogans
  • The enduring legacies of discontinued brands
  • The lessons we can learn from these lost treasures

🔍 The origins of abandoned ad campaigns

Ad campaigns are the backbone of marketing strategies. They have the power to make or break a product, and sometimes, they just don’t stick. There could be numerous reasons behind this - poor execution, wrong timing, or simply a bad idea. But sometimes, ad campaigns can be abandoned even before they are launched, leaving us to wonder what could have been.

One such abandoned campaign was the “Pepsi Syndrome”. In the 1980s, PepsiCo tried to create a term that would be synonymous with Coca-Cola’s dominance in the market. The campaign featured a young Michael Jackson singing and dancing to a catchy jingle, “Pepsi, the choice of a new generation”. However, internal conflicts within the company led to the campaign’s abandonment, and the slogan never gained the popularity it deserved. 🎶

A frustrated Michael Jackson, wondering why the Pepsi Syndrome didn't take off

🔝 The rise and fall of iconic products

Most businesses dream of creating products that become a part of the cultural zeitgeist - the ones that are instantly recognizable and synonymous with the brand itself. But even the most iconic products can lose their marketability over time. Take the example of Kodak - the company that revolutionized photography with the invention of the handheld camera. But in 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy, unable to keep up with the changing times and the shift to digital photography.

Another such iconic product is the McDonald’s McPizza. Introduced in the late 1980s, the concept of pizza at a fast-food restaurant was revolutionary. 🍕 However, McPizza was expensive to produce and didn’t fit in with the company’s business model. The product was eventually discontinued, leaving fans to remember it as a lost treasure.

A picture of Kodak and McPizza, two products that were ahead of their time

💔 The curious case of failed ad slogans

A catchy slogan can do wonders for a brand. It can create a strong association between a product and its customers, and help build emotional connections. However, sometimes, slogans can miss the mark, resulting in awkward or even offensive advertising. Take the case of Bic’s “Look Like a Girl, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Work Like a Boss” campaign. The ad faced immense backlash, with critics calling it sexist and regressive. It was eventually pulled down, and the company issued an apology.

Another failed ad campaign came from Reebok in 2008. The company released a commercial featuring a woman being chased by a tiger, with the tagline “Run Easy”. The ad was criticized for being insensitive towards the issues of animal cruelty and violence against women, and Reebok soon pulled it off the air. 🐅

Bic's 'Look Like a Girl, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Work Like a Boss' campaign

📢 The enduring legacies of discontinued brands

When a brand shuts down, it can be a bittersweet moment for fans. They mourn the loss of a product that meant something to them, while cherishing the memories associated with it. Some discontinued brands, however, have managed to retain their legacy, continuing to occupy a special place in the hearts of consumers.

One such brand is Blockbuster. Though it shut down all its stores in 2013, the memories of renting movies and getting popcorn are still fresh in people’s minds. The company’s social media presence - a mix of nostalgia and wit - has helped keep the brand alive. Similarly, Polaroid - the leader in instant cameras back in the day - has struggled to remain relevant in the digital age. However, the company’s commitment to nostalgia and the tangible joy of physical photographs has helped it carve a niche for itself once again. 📷

A cheerful photo of Blockbuster and Polaroid, two brands that continue to occupy a special place in people's hearts

🤔 The lessons we can learn from these lost treasures

So, what can we learn from all these lost treasures of advertising? For one, we must never underestimate the importance of timing - a great product or ad campaign can fall flat if it is not introduced at the right time. Secondly, we must always keep our target audience in mind - a campaign that may seem clever to us may not resonate with our customers. Lastly, we must be willing to adapt to changing times and technologies - the downfall of Kodak and Blockbuster can be attributed to their inability to keep up with the times.

That’s a wrap on our journey into the world of lost treasures of advertising. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it! Remember, even though these products and ad campaigns may be lost to us, they will always be a part of advertising history. 🔍

A group of people looking back at the lost treasures of advertising, with a sense of nostalgia