1. "My dad picks the fruit…"
View this video on YouTube
“…that goes to Cottee’s, to make the cordial, that I like best!”
The perfect ad storm of proud kids, catchy chants, wholesome fruit and *ahem* sugar. If you can’t sing all the words, what were you doing as a kid?
This Cottee’s cordial jingle even spawned a bunch of (at the time) hilarious parodies, like “My dad picks his nose…” and other orifices…
2. "Let's nibble Nobby’s nuts!"
View this video on YouTube
Talk about risque! Primary school would have been a lot more boring without this ad to crack us up.
3. "How often do you clean your silver?"
View this video on YouTube
“And instantly all the tarnish comes off!”
In 1984 the Tarn-Off ads convinced a whole generation of Aussie kids they were living in deprived houses without a bunch of silver that needed to be cleaned on the reg. Tarn-Off: so effective, so toxic.
4. "Mum’s doing a lamb roast."
View this video on YouTube
When a fresh-faced Naomi Watts is offered a chance for dinner with Tom, she knocks it back for the roast. Yes, in 1989 Tom Cruise really was someone you’d want to have dinner with.
5. "You can tell a Wella Woman…"
View this video on YouTube
“…by the way she wears her hair, you can tell a Wella Woman anywhere”
So much hair flicking. So much '80s power dressing. So much awesome. Who didn’t want to be a Wella Woman?
6. "A glass and a half of full cream dairy milk in every 200 gram block."
View this video on YouTube
In 1987 the science experiments of Professor Julius Sumner Miller fascinated everyone from 8 to 80. He had the nation transfixed with bubbles in coat-hangers, pins in candles and eggs in glasses.
The experiment conclusion was inevitably about balance, “So too, Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate has a balance of goodness and taste”.
Nice segue Professor, well played.
7. "You ought to be congratulated!"
View this video on YouTube
How is anyone who ate anything in the '80s still alive? In 1983, we slathered Meadow Lea margarine onto steaks on the barbie, and declared “corn is just corn without a knob on top”.
8. "Slip! Slop! Slap!"
View this video on YouTube
“Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.”
Sid the Seagull taught us all in 1981 just what the sun could do. One of Australia’s most successful social marketing campaigns. Bet you can’t sing it without doing the Sid voice!
9. "No other chocolate looks like Flake looks…"
View this video on YouTube
“…no other chocolate tastes like Flake tastes.”
There’s a weird stalkerish vibe to the coy woman in white being followed into the garden by a suave suitor/possible serial killer. Does he like her? Does he like her chocolate? Can he not just leave her in peace to eat a Flake? So. Many. Questions.
10. "Uh oh, Razzamatazz!"
View this video on YouTube
In 1983, the way to sell stockings was simple. A catchy jingle and shoulder-padded women striding in a power gang.
But don’t forget to remind them why they need to look nice: “A gleam for your legs to put a gleam in their eyes”. Cue leering men, actually in trench coats. "Uh-oh" is right.
11. "The taste of paradise."
View this video on YouTube
Gen X was living in the golden age of confectionery advertising. This Bounty ad made everyone slightly uncomfortable. The romantic soundtrack, the breathless voiceover, the inhaling of the chocolate bar.
And it worked to position Bounty as the chocolate for adults. Bring out a box of Favourites and see the Gen Xers still avoid the taboo Bounty.
12. "Life. Be in it!"
View this video on YouTube
With all of the chocolate and margarine we were consuming, it was inevitable we’d need a health campaign.
This was so long ago, there was no such thing as a website to learn more. You had to write an actual letter to the Department of Health and ask for a brochure.
Gen X did it tough.
13. "Chippies!"
View this video on YouTube
This 1987 Smiths Chips campaign launched the gobbledok into our hearts and minds - and nightmares. Who could forget the big reveal when we saw there was more than one?!
In the era of gremlins, ewoks and Alf, this campaign pitch might have been the easiest one in history.
14. "Don’t mention its healthy and they’ll eat it by the boxful."
View this video on YouTube
In 1990, the whole family enjoys watching the gormless David eat his Sultana Bran and explain he’d eaten vegetarian food for a date with Laura Harris.
“But I thought you said you wouldn’t eat healthy for anyone, David?”
“Thanks for that set up mum, I am just illustrating that Sultana Bran is a health food compared to all the other sugary crap. I know, I need to move out and start buying my own cereal.”
Plus Sophie from Home and Away was in it, and all the boys loved her big time.
15. "All creatures great and small."
View this video on YouTube
This 1988 ad still gets a run today! The parade of animals helped by the RSPCA was a family favourite.
If you don’t love the cute little bandaged0up wombat that has stage fright and then dashes through at the end, check if your sensitivity chip is malfunctioning! Seriously, please get help.
16. "So thank you, Spray n' Wipe."
View this video on YouTube
The tough thing about the '80s Spray n' Wipe ads is picking your favourite.
From having the boss over for dinner, to getting the house ready for sale, all you needed was a bottle of Spray n' Wipe, TV legend Paula Duncan and the best rhyming on Australian television. Hyena + demeanour = gold.
17. "Tab Cola has a beautiful taste."
View this video on YouTube
Nothing subtle in this 1982 Tab Cola ad. Tab is only for beautiful people. If you aren’t beautiful, you have no business drinking it. Away with you!
18. "Like liquid gets in to chalk."
View this video on YouTube
Every Gen X kid owes their dental hygeine to the ever-socaring and patient Mrs Marsh showing us how toothpaste gets in to stop decay. An iconic brand message that the audience just got.
19. "Do the right thing."
View this video on YouTube
So, there was a time not that long ago when people would drop rubbish around like nobody’s business. Kind of embarrassing that we needed a major ad campaign on why putting rubbish in a bin was the right thing to do.