Most ads get ignored. A few get remembered. The difference usually comes down to one thing — execution.
This article collects 75+ real advertisement examples that worked across different industries, budgets, and formats. You’ll see how top brands handled print, video, digital, social, and even billboard campaigns in ways that actually caught attention and moved people to act.
Use this as a reference — for planning, pitching, or when you’re stuck trying to figure out what your ad should say or look like. The ideas here aren’t trends. They’re proof that strong creative still works when it’s specific, simple, and built for the right audience.
These are the ads that keep getting referenced in books, classrooms, and agency decks. They represent some of the most successful campaigns in advertising history — built on bold ideas, smart use of advertising platforms, and a clear marketing strategy. Whether through unforgettable print advertisements or game-changing digital executions, these ads helped brands grow, establish a strong brand stand, and even educate consumers on what they stood for. They didn’t just sell — they changed how people talked about them.
A universal message of action. The campaign broke away from elite athlete-only messaging and turned the brand into a symbol of everyday motivation.
One disrupted the Super Bowl. The other helped define the brand’s creative-first reputation. Both still influence how tech is marketed today.
Swapping the logo for people’s names sparked personalization at scale. It got people buying, gifting, and posting about bottles.
Instead of bragging, VW used honesty and minimalism. The campaign sold against type — and changed automotive advertising in the process.
This didn’t just sell a product. It defined a cultural norm. A strong message tied the idea of love to a tangible object.
Funny, fast, and unexpected. It revived a tired brand by speaking to both men and the people buying for them.
Clear concept, clever execution. It gave the brand more meaning than just “a candy bar.”
A long-running message built around challenging narrow definitions of beauty. It resonated with audiences and created brand loyalty.
A social message with a clear visual and emotional arc. It gave meaning to a common phrase and tied it to self-worth and confidence.
Visual branding done right. The same shape, reimagined in hundreds of creative ways, made the brand instantly recognizable.
Key takeaway
These campaigns succeeded because they stood for something and said it clearly. They spoke directly to their target market, often guided by a clear vision from a skilled Creative Director. The format didn’t matter — what mattered was the compelling narrative, the relevance to pop culture, and the entertainment value that kept people engaged. These weren’t just ads people skipped — they were experiences that mass audiences talked about long after users visited or shared them. The message led, and everything else followed.
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Some campaigns don’t follow the formula — they rewrite it. These ads stood out not because they looked like ads, but because they surprised, challenged, or redefined expectations. They mixed emotion, humor, and even discomfort to grab attention and spark conversation. Whether on a billboard, in your feed, or at the dinner table, they made you stop and think.
A decaying Whopper might not sound appetizing, but it proved a point: no preservatives. Burger King broke from the polished food ad norm, challenging the fast-food status quo and showing commitment to cleaner ingredients.
A romance told through search queries. This simple yet deeply emotional ad reminded viewers how integrated Google is in everyday life — and how even love stories now run through search results.
Netflix trolled commuters with fake spoilers on billboards to encourage binge-watching at home. Risky and attention-grabbing, it turned outdoor advertising into a cultural moment.
A viral sensation powered by user-generated content, the Ice Bucket Challenge raised global awareness and millions in donations. It showed how social engagement can drive a cause like an advertised product.
A cartoon PSA about gruesome deaths shouldn’t work — but it did. With catchy music and cute visuals, it became a viral hit and taught safety through sheer entertainment value.
With Serena Williams narrating, this ad celebrated women in sports and called out systemic bias. It reinforced Nike’s brand stand on equality and inspired viewers through shared values.
This satirical spot exposed the dangers of bad targeting. It made marketers laugh — and think — about the real cost of misaligned display advertising.
A gorilla drumming to Phil Collins may not scream chocolate ad — but it became one of Cadbury’s most memorable moments. Pure absurdity that worked through surprise and sound.
Spotify turned listener data into witty, personalized billboards. It gave users a laugh, a wink, and a reason to share — proving data can be fun when turned into pop culture.
Real photos, real users. Apple let its customers show off the product, blending authenticity with aspiration in a campaign that spanned cities, screens, and platforms.
Key takeaway
Rules matter — until they don’t. These campaigns worked because they took creative risks while staying rooted in something relatable, specific, or visually unforgettable.
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These examples weren’t just creative. They were made for how people browse, scroll, and interact online.
Alexa loses her voice and celebrities take over. It’s simple, funny, and shows off the product’s personality.
These ads put small businesses right where customers are already looking. The copy is clear. The intent is high.
A suspense-filled fake trailer with a twist: it’s just about kids being bored in the car. Memorable and format-breaking.
These ads let users scroll through images or sign up without leaving the platform. Great for showcasing multiple benefits.
These feel native to the platform and don’t look like ads. Viewers don’t tune out. They tune in.
Key takeaway
Digital ads work best when they’re fast, on-platform, and match how people already behave.
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These ads focused on more than the product. They focused on what people value — and reflected it back.
The product is just the starting point. The ad sells generosity, social good, and belonging.
A response to criticism about ingredients, turned into a strength. Visuals told the story better than a paragraph ever could.
Straightforward, sometimes even blunt. But always aligned with the brand’s core promise.
A push for local business, not financial products. The brand took a backseat to something that mattered.
Key takeaway
When your message aligns with your audience’s values, the ad doesn’t need to work as hard. People already want to hear it.
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Some ads are moments. These examples pulled people into something they could feel, not just see.
A space jump watched live by millions. It was content, branding, PR, and adrenaline in one move.
Fans could put themselves on Barbie posters. Simple tech. Huge reach.
Yes, really. Pregnant users could reveal a baby crib discount. It got talked about because it broke the rules.
A child on-screen points to actual planes as they fly overhead. Real-time, real wonder.
A giant santoor (instrument) that plays only in the rain. It connected the brand to the season and the culture.
People picked the product without knowing what it was. The ad came after the reaction.
Key takeaway
These ads didn’t just tell. They invited people to take part — and made that experience the message.
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These ads didn’t need a big idea. They just needed to present the product the right way.
Short, clean visuals with no voiceover. Everything you need is on screen — and it looks exactly how the audience wants it to.
Gaming influencer + clever animation = a campaign that knows exactly who it’s for.
Showing how shoes are made. Quiet, detailed, and trust-building.
Bottle swaps in everyday food shots. The product is always present but never loud.
Key takeaway
You don’t need to say everything. Focus on what your audience needs to see — then let the visuals do the rest.
Every ad has a job. Pick the wrong format, and the message gets lost.
Key takeaway
Know what your ad is trying to do before you make it. The rest follows from that.
Across categories, formats, and budgets — the best ads usually share these traits:
Checklist
Before you launch, ask: Would this stop someone? Would they get it in 3 seconds? If not, simplify it.
What Makes an Ad Worth Remembering
Strong ads aren’t about being the loudest. They’re about being clear, well-timed, and built around something that matters to your audience — whether it’s a compelling message, a relevant advertised product, or shared similar values.
Each of the advertisement examples in this guide proves that the best creative doesn’t always look the same — but it usually works the same way. From display advertising that blends seamlessly with search results, to bold campaigns that challenge the status quo, these examples show how many brands have succeeded by focusing on what truly resonates. Pick the ones that make sense for your brand, and use them as a base to build something better.
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