Stars What Sell. #2: The Flintstones

Cartoon characters smoking? Think of the children!

Of course, in those days (1960) The Flinstones' target audience was adults. And as it was quite normal for cigarette manufacturers to sponsor TV shows, there's no reason why they shouldn't have done so here. What's most peculiar about this spot, however, is the reason Fred and Barney decide to light up: because they're bored, because it's better than taking a nap. It's curious, also, that Winston were quite happy to have a couple of layabouts endorsing their product - and prehistoric ones at that.

Stars What Sell. #1: Tony Hancock

From 1965, a whole series of fantastic commercials from the Egg Marketing Board. Fantastic because they feature the talents of the late, and very great, Tony Hancock (ably supported by the gorgeous Patricia Hayes).

The ads are basically mini versions of the Hancock TV and radio series (even going so far as to blatantly copy the famous tuba theme tune). The lad himself potrays his much-loved downtrodden, though curiously self-important, persona, while Patricia Hayes reprises her occasional role as Mrs Ratchet, his housekeeper. As well as being very funny, they also manage to get across that they're all about eggs. Which is quite a feat, considering that Hancock's personality is so powerful.

Look out for the cameo from Celebrity Squares stalwart Pat Coombs....

The Wooly and Worth Show

Everybody seems to be talking about Jackie Chan's bizarre star turn in the latest Woolworths TV ad. It's funny, yes, but nowhere near as funny as the ads featuring Darth Vader and Rolf Harris. If you haven't seen them, simply click below.

Best bit: the recurring gag where Wooly, while supposedly reaching for the item he's gone to Woolworths for, gets distracted and says: "Ooh, hello!" Great punchlines too.

Family Fun

It's good sometimes to look back at older advertising, to see how well - and how differently - they did things then. Here's a lovely example from 1892: one of the first ads for the Nintendo Wii. I wonder if they knew then how big it would eventually become?

Lost Souls

What a fantastic appeal - asking if you want to call your soul your own. Not your home, your country, your identity, your job or even your wife. Your very soul. Chilling stuff.



More great - and bizarre - Conservative Party posters here: I want to sell you a Tory

Green Scene

The best ad currently on television? Yes. But whether that's to do with the quality of the ad itself, or because TV adverts are generally so bad at the moment, is another matter. Still, the fact remains that this is a fun, lively and memorable spot that sports a catchy (well-loved) song, some smart lyrics, great product demonstration, superb branding and the best dancing frog since Kermit. It brings a big smile to the face and can be watched again and again. Best of all, it does a fantastic job of making a boring product (and task) seem essential and fun.

The word on the street is that the kids adore it - there's even a Facebook page devoted to it. Which would be perfect, of course, if Evergreen's target audience were gangs of teenage girls. But as it stands, it's highly likely that even the real target audience (essentially, Dennis the Menace's dad) love it too.

Tight Fit

Very simple. Very effective.