Advertising is an art, and sometimes, these Mad Men (and women) decide to take creativity to a whole new level.
Since we’re a video animation company that makes all kinds of video ads for brands, we’re fascinated by strange content. So, today, we’re diving into the world of the weirdest ads ever created.
According to our survey, 79% of consumers said that video keeps brands top of mind. So, maybe a bit of weird might just get your target audience hooked.
So, get ready to question reality, laugh out loud, and experience a rollercoaster of emotions as we explore these mind-boggling campaigns.
From catchy jingles to bizarre visuals, these ads have left a memorable mark on pop culture.
Buckle up and join us on this wild ride through the realm of weird ads.
Let’s go!
Squatty Potty – This Unicorn Changed the Way I Poop
Squatty Potty, a brand promoting a bathroom accessories, released a viral ad.
The ad featured a mythical unicorn defecating rainbow ice cream while explaining the benefits of using their product.
Why we picked it:
- The combination of humor, unexpected visuals, and a catchy jingle made this commercial unforgettable.
- Who wouldn’t like to see a majestic creature pooping ice cream to capture attention and highlight the importance of proper posture during bathroom visits?
- It’s got a creative script for sure.
Fun facts:
- The Squatty Potty has been featured on Shark Tank and Dr. Oz shows.
- To date, this video has managed to garner 41 million views on YouTube.
Skittles – Touch The Rainbow
Skittles is a candy brand known for its quirky and offbeat advertisements.
In this ad, they took a bizarre turn by featuring a man who could turn everything he touched into Skittles.
Why we picked it:
- We love the absurdity of the concept and the unexpected humor.
- It’s got a catchy tagline, “Touch the Rainbow, Taste the Rainbow.”
- The script and acting are on point.
Read more: The Worst of 2020: 5 Ads That Ought to be Forgotten
Burger King – Subservient Chicken
Burger King is a renowned fast-food brand.
In the ad, a man is dressed in a chicken suit who would respond to any user commands.
Why we picked it:
- The bizarre concept of a submissive chicken taking orders from viewers is pretty interesting.
- Catchy tagline
Fun fact:
- The ad went viral resulting in more than 300 commands that people included for the chicken man.
- It won the Gold Pencil award at The One Show in 2005.
Poo-Pourri – Girls Don’t Poop
Poo-Pourri is a brand that specializes in toilet sprays.
The ad featured an elegant woman confidently discussing her bathroom habits while maintaining poise and grace.
Why we picked it:
- The witty dialogue and incredible visuals broke societal norms and brought humor to an otherwise awkward topic.
- It tackles the taboo subject of bathroom odor with a comical twist.
- This ad proved that unconventional approaches can be highly effective.
Fun fact:
It has racked up 44 million views on YouTube to date.
Doritos – Time Machine
Doritos is an American tortilla chips company.
In this ad, a young boy convinces an elderly man to trade his time machine, which is actually just a cardboard box, for a bag of Doritos.
Why we picked it:
- The unexpected twist and the boy’s convincing argument make this commercial both strange and entertaining.
- The acting is on point.
Fun fact:
- Ryan Thomas Anderson created and submitted this ad for $300 for the “Crash the Super Bowl” competition by Doritos. He ended up earning $1 million by winning the contest.
- The video has garnered 8.9 million views as of yet.
Cadbury Dairy Milk – Gorilla
Cadbury is a British confectionary company owned by Mondelez International.
This iconic ad features a gorilla passionately drumming along to Phil Collins’ song “In the Air Tonight.”
Why we picked it:
- The surreal image of a gorilla playing the drums is…captivating?
- Gotta love the song choice.
- The gorilla has nothing to do with the chocolate at all.
Also read: 22 Best Super Bowl Commercials and Why They Are So Memorable
Sony PlayStation 3 – Play Beyond
PlayStation is a well-known Japanese gaming console made by Sony.
The ad features a creepy baby doll showing different emotions by looking at a brand new Playstation 3 console.
Why we picked it:
- Is this a piece of art or just some nonsensical ad to grab attention? Either way, it worked.
- A creepy baby showing various emotions will make you sleep with one eye open.
Mountain Dew – Puppy Monkey Baby
Mountain Dew is an American carbonated soft drink brand by Pepsico.
The ad introduces a hybrid pet creature called the “Puppy monkey baby” that hands his owner a bucket of mountain dew.
Why we picked it:
- It is exactly what it sounds like; a bizarre combination of a puppy, monkey, and baby.
- The ad features this creature dancing and promoting the product, leaving us perplexed yet intrigued.
Old Spice – Mom Song
Old Spice is an American grooming products brand.
The ad shows mothers lamenting their sons growing up while simultaneously watching them in various surreal situations.
Why we picked it:
- The unexpected imagery and catchy jingle created a memorable and somewhat unsettling ad.
- Relatable content for the mothers at least.
Little Baby’s Ice Cream – This is a Special Time
Little Baby’s Ice Cream was an American ice cream company that permanently closed down its operations in 2019.
The ad features a person made up of an ice cream who’s consuming the ice cream from their own head.
Why we picked this:
- Those haunting eyes are not going to let us sleep tonight.
- The voiceover didn’t make the whole experience any better.
- The two points above are actually good things, pinky swear.
Final thoughts
Advertising is an ever-evolving landscape where creativity knows no bounds. Weird doesn’t have to be surreal or bizarre at all times.
Even if you add a touch of humor, viewers will appreciate it. According to a study, 90% of people are more likely to remember ads that are funny, and 72% of people would choose a humorous brand over the competition.
The weirdest ads have a way of capturing our attention, leaving a lasting impression, and sometimes even sparking cultural conversations.
From unicorns pooping ice cream to men turning humans into rainbow-colored candies, these ads have pushed boundaries and challenged traditional advertising norms.
Love them or hate them, these campaigns stand as a testament to the power of thinking outside the box.
Do you want to create a quirky weird ad for your brand? Our team of video marketing experts and creatives can help! Reach out to us and let’s make some magic
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