10 Most Revolutionary Commercials of All-Time

1. Energizer-Escape of the Bunny: What began as a parody of the one shot pink elephant toy ad that rival Duracell did (along with their own version of a pink bunny), would become a permit icon ofEnergizer. The Energizer Bunny had the big bass drum and man it packed a punch, but the Bunny had a mind of its own and left its nest of sorts. It would interrupt other commercials (that were fake to begin with) but it has been reported that real commercials were fair game. This solidify the Energizer Bunny with permeant job security. By 1993 those early campaign commercials came to an end and various plots and twists have been used with the Energizer critter (like the fake Supervolt Battery company); but that Bunny just keeps going, and going, and going, and…

2. Federal Express-Fast Paced World: This ad is what made John Moschitta Jr. a star in his own right. Moschitta plays a fast-talking CEO of some unnamed company that is mostly on their toes. They rely on FedEx to get the work do. Moschitta would do other ads for other companies and products, most notability the Micro Machines toy line. He also was featured in several sketches and promos for the TV shows of the Sesame Workshop including Sesame Street, 3-2-1 Contact, and Square One Television. His fast-talking mouth also won him the voice over role of Autobot Blur in “Transformers The Movie” and the third and fourth seasons of the original Transformers animated series. For a time, he was the fast talker according to Guinness Book of World Records. He would be beaten by Steve Woodmore in 1990. Still he had the personality and charm with his ability to speak fast.

3. American Tourister-All The Gorilla ads: OK so it was a man in a gorilla suit but as a kid he looked so real. More than Tracy in the short-lived 1975 kids show “The Ghost Busters” (no relation to the more popular 1984 movie and then some). He enjoyed wrecking suitcases even if he could not. The ad in 1980 give the reckless Gorilla a suitcase not made by American Tourister and boy he sure had fun with that one along with the AT one.

4. Isuzu-Joe Isuzu: Finally a car commercial that admits that car dealers can be such scum, but we kind of liked Joe Isuzu. In spite of the name, Joe was not Asian. He made over the top claims about the Isuzu vehicles that the producers of the ads had to run a bold disclaimer at the bottom that “He’s Lying.” I remember when he was a celebrity player on Super Password in which David Leisure (who played Joe Isuzu) was talking about how he is grateful to be on the show, but the people that normally display the passwords on the TV screen flashed a “He’s Lying” disclaimer in the font normally used to project the passwords at home. Other than Isuzu, Leisure’s steady work came in the form of Golden Girls spinoff “Empty Nest.”

5. Partnership for a Drug Free America-Fried Egg: John Roseliuspresented a lesser known 30 second ad. He showed a typical egg comparing it to the human brain. He then turned to a frying pan with melted butter or grease comparing it to drugs. He cracks the eggs and puts in the pan, and calls that “your brain on drugs.” The message, “drugs fry your brain.” Of course, the 10-15 second ads were better remembered with Alan Thicke (or someone that sounds like him) doing the voice over of what Roselius described. In 1997,Rachael Leigh Cook took the campaign to another level in which she destroys her own kitchen and got very passionate about what happens to a brain on drugs. In 2016 another ad appeared with the egg in the pan followed by teens confronted by people who pushes drugs on them. Just a reminder to parents to be ready to give answers about drug use. OK, Any Questions?

6. California Milk Board-Got Milk?: Just a reminder (me including) that if you like your peanut butter, make sure you have milk on you. Cause you will not be able to speak free and clear and pain and misery will only follow. This ranged from the guy playing a radio contest to the person that is about to break up with the person they love…or not anymore.

7. Life Cereal-Three Brothers (aka the Mikey ad): The ad first ran in 1971 and it would continue to run for several decades. That Mikey (John Gilchrist) hated everything (or so they said), but he put the older brothers in their place (HE LIKES IT!!!). An older Mikey campaign in the mid 80’s when he grew up sadly did not pan out. But behind that attempt was great contest for the product. Quaker Oates (makers of Life) just could not come with a better ad after that.

8. Coca-Cola/Coke- “Hey Kid, Catch!” staring Mean Joe Green: Green was a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Stealers. His personality out on the field and the way he played made him a star in his own right. It was natural for Coca-Cola to have him shoot a commercial for their product. It helped him too, that Mean Joe Green was not being mean for the sake of being mean but playing to prevent the opposing team from scoring big. The young boy in the commercial had the courage to allow Green to have his free Coke. He kind of wanted something in return, but likely knew he would not get it. Green might have had a revelation and show his kinder side for once. The audience loved it. Talk about “Coke Adds Life” and getting “a smile.” It would win the Clio for one of the best ads of 1979, and it is one of the most respected commercials of all time. The ad took three days to make. One of the best parodies of the Mean Joe Green ad was the sketch done by the long running children’s TV series Sesame Street in which Gordon takes Joe’s place and in instead of a cold soft drink or even milk; the young boy offers Gordon a number “7” to wear on his jersey, and the boy gets a towel with a big “7” on it in return.

9. Diet Pepsi-Apartment 10G: Michael J. Fox was the spokesperson for Diet Pepsi in the late 1980’s, and this ad made it happen. Although his character Marty McFly had to order a regular Pepsi in the second installment of the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Hey Pepsi did not mind, it is still promoting the company. In this ad that impressed PepsiCo, a love-struck Fox went above and beyond the call. He got rained on, overcoming a punk gang, and dogging traffic…all to give this young lady a Diet Pepsi. Not every ad was like this, but the concept was integrated in a follow-up with Michael J. Fox spending a night at the opera. He got his Diet Pepsi but was locked out of the venue, he gets back inside by going through the stage entrance, and unintentionally becomes part of the production while trying to get his second wind back.

10. Dunkin’ Donuts-Time To Make The Donuts: This long running popular ad campaign staredMichael Vale as the long suffering Fred The Baker, who was devoted to his job of making donuts for Dunkin. Not every commercial was about Fred suffering from lack of sleep or too obsessed with the job. One ad had Fred in drag at a supermarket asking their bakers if they could make certain donuts like Dunkin’ Donuts. Still, the honest and humble natured baker won the fans of many people and had us watching the ads. Prior to Dunkin’ Donuts, Vale played a similar character named Sam Breakstone for Kraft Foods. He sadly died of complications from diabetes in 2005.