Here are ten all-time top print ads and creative examples of how they could be extended using modern technology:
1. Volkswagen "Think Small" (1960): This iconic ad stood out for its simplicity and honesty. To extend it today, a creative use of augmented reality (AR) could allow viewers to interact with a virtual miniature Volkswagen car, exploring its features and taking it for a virtual spin on their tabletop or even in their living room.
2. Absolut Vodka "Absolut Perfection" (1981): This campaign showcased the Absolut bottle in various artistic ways. With virtual reality (VR), consumers could immerse themselves in a virtual art gallery, where they can explore larger-than-life Absolut bottle sculptures, interact with them, and even create their own virtual artworks using Absolut-inspired elements.
3. Apple "1984" (1984): This groundbreaking ad introduced the Macintosh computer. A creative extension using mixed reality (MR) could blend the real world with virtual elements, allowing users to witness a live holographic unveiling of a new Apple product right in their own space, interacting with virtual interfaces and experiencing futuristic interactions.
4. Nike "Just Do It" (1988): Nike's slogan inspired a sense of empowerment and motivation. Using gamification and augmented reality (AR), a modern extension could be an interactive AR game where users become virtual athletes, taking on sports challenges in their own surroundings and unlocking Nike-branded virtual gear as rewards.
5. Marlboro "Marlboro Man" (1955): The Marlboro Man campaign established a rugged and masculine image for the brand. Leveraging virtual reality (VR) and haptic feedback technology, an extension could create an immersive experience where users can virtually ride horses through the wild west, feeling the vibrations and sensations as if they were truly part of the Marlboro Man's world.
6. Coca-Cola "Hilltop" (1971): This ad featured a diverse group of young people singing "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke," promoting unity and happiness. Extending it with augmented reality (AR) and social media integration, users could activate an AR lens on their mobile devices that adds virtual avatars of friends and strangers, creating a virtual singing group that spans across different locations.
7. Guinness "Surfer" (1999): This visually stunning ad showcased a group of surfers waiting for the perfect wave, capturing the brand's essence of patience and dedication. With a combination of virtual reality (VR) and motion capture technology, an extension could enable users to step into a virtual world as surfers, physically mimicking their movements to catch virtual waves, all while enjoying the virtual taste of a Guinness.
8. Levi's "Laundrette" (1985): This ad highlighted the durability of Levi's jeans. With augmented reality (AR) and smart clothing technology, a creative extension could be an AR app that allows users to virtually try on different styles of Levi's jeans, showcasing how they fit and move on their own bodies, all within the comfort of their own homes.
9. FedEx "Fast Talker" (1982): This humorous ad demonstrated the speed and efficiency of FedEx's delivery service. Extending it with artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing, a creative modern extension could be a chatbot that mimics the "Fast Talker" persona, allowing users to engage in a rapid-fire conversation to get quick and efficient delivery updates or shipping assistance.
10. Volkswagen "Lemon" (1960): This ad cleverly turned a flaw into a positive attribute, highlighting Volkswagen's commitment to quality. Using augmented reality (AR) and interactive storytelling, a creative extension could allow users to scan Volkswagen vehicles to reveal a hidden AR world inside the "lemon," where they embark on an interactive journey to discover the meticulous craftsmanship and quality standards behind Volkswagen's cars.
These extensions leverage the boundless creativity of modern technologies like AR, VR, MR, and AI to offer users immersive, interactive, and personalized experiences that breathe new life into the original print ads, making them more engaging, memorable, and reflective of the advancements in advertising and technology.