The glorification of “interactive” vs. “passive” media started long before the internet age.
Archive for the 'Ads' Category
Atari Ads, 1978: ‘Don’t Watch TV Tonight. Play It!’
Published August 14, 2014 Ads , Atari Leave a CommentAdvanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual Ad, 1978
Published August 11, 2014 Ads , D&D , Magazines/Zines , The Dragon 1 Comment
From The Dragon #13, April 1978.
The Honda PA50 `Hobbit’ Moped, 1978
Published August 6, 2014 Ads , Lord of the Rings, The 2 Comments
The Honda PA50 was produced in the US from 1978 through 1983, where it was marketed as the Hobbit. That’s how popular Tolkien was at the time. The official mascot you see in the ad was not Bilbo, of course, but Honda Harold. How the company managed to trademark ‘Hobbit’ is beyond me. The references in the ad are unmistakeable allusions to the Shire and its residents—“bright happy Hobbit hops,” “a love of comfort,” “a very agreeable nature,” “a mighty friendly helpful fellow to take on your travels.”
The moped was called the Camino in the UK and Europe, where it was produced first (1976) and continued to be produced until 1991.
French Wizard of Wor Ad (CBS Electronics, 1982)
Published July 23, 2014 Ads , Home Consoles , Video Games 1 Comment
Child World Newspaper Insert (1978): Shogun Warriors, Star Wars, and More
Published July 18, 2014 Ads , Kenner Toys , Shogun Warriors , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) , Toy Stores/Toy Aisles/Toy Departments Leave a Comment
We didn’t have Child World in Southern California, but my mother did put lots of stuff on layaway. Try to explain that concept to Gen Y.
The Flying Finnegan game on the second page looks pretty sweet—for about five minutes.
Here’s a great view of the Cheerios box appearing in the ad, courtesy of Gregg Koenig.
Pabst Brewing Company T-Shirt Ads (1980)
Published July 4, 2014 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , Ads , Catalogs 4 Comments
Here’s the irony: Holoubek Studios was a very popular Milwaukee-based t-shirt company throughout the 1970s. In 2005, almost immediately after selling the company, President Brian Holoubek formed a new company called Heavy Rotation. He had decided that “today’s young consumer has a natural affinity for the ‘retro’ look” after spotting one of his father’s old designs selling in a New York boutique for $90.
Drink up.
(Images via Antique Paper Shop/eBay)
German Star Wars Toy Ads (1981 – 1983)
Published July 1, 2014 Ads , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 6 Comments
Warren Special Edition: The Lord of the Rings Magazine (June, 1979)
Published June 18, 2014 Ads , Lord of the Rings, The , Magazines/Zines , Warren Publishing 8 Comments
Don’t you wish you could thumb through the whole mag, written by the delightfully weird Forrest J. Ackerman? Oh, wait. You can.
If you think the Lord of the Rings “sculpture banks” are an odd choice for merchandise, wait until I post the finger puppets.
Kay Bee Toy Store Ads (1984 – 1987)
Published June 11, 2014 Ads , Toy Stores/Toy Aisles/Toy Departments 1 Comment
Brilliant marketing, but not a reflection of reality. Kay Bee was the go-to mall toy store, yes, but it was overpriced and rarely had the hot items in stock. And it was always a mess.
‘Olympians’ Bodybuilding Supplements Ad Featuring Conan, 1982
Published May 14, 2014 '80s Movies/TV , Ads , Conan the Barbarian , Fantasy Movies/TV 1 Comment
Conan especially likes his protein powder when it’s chocolate-flavored and served in fancy crystal—with a strawberry on the rim.
(Image via Catch the Sparrow/Flickr)
2 Warps to Neptune 