The best cinema ads ever

What are the best cinema ads? There have been plenty of polls and articles in the papers over the years with people's opinions. It was refreshing to see some of the industry's choices today at the Marketing Society's Classic Cinema Advertising Showcase.

The event was part of the EIFF and was also timed for Ogilvy Day, the day on which the legendary adman was born 100 years ago. An audience of marketeers, creatives and ad lovers gathered at Filmhouse to see some of Scotland's heavyweights discuss their all time favourite cinema adverts. They did not disappoint with their choices.

This is a YouTube heavy post, but trust me, you'll be rewarded. There were some fabulous choices - some very well known, others more left field but all definitely worthy contenders for the best cinema ads ever.

You don't need me to waffle on about how great this medium is - I'm just disappointed the tiny embeds don't do these fabulous ads justice. My favourites from the bunch were B+H and Smirnoff. I've added my recent favourite at the bottom of the post. Enjoy!



Gerry O'Donnell, The Edrington Group

VW Golf, 1987




Angus Walker, Frame

BA, 1989



Orange, 2008



Heineken, 1980s sometime?




Murray Calder, IPA & MediaCom

Bacardi, 1991



Orange, 2006



Adidas, 2010






Jo Coomber, Standard Life

Smirnoff, Mid 90s?



XFM, 2006



Guinness, 1998




Ian McAteer, The Union

Kia-Ora, 1970s?



Benson and Hedges, 1978




Gerry Farrell, The Leith Agency

Silk Cut, 1979



Agent Provocateur,2001



Virgin Atlantic, 2011





And here's one I picked that I can't believe wasn't on the line-up...




Unfortunately, I couldn't find Ian McAteer's Samaritans ad, and was unable to get Gerry O'Donnell's G+T execution, but I think that's plenty enough to see anyway.

Do you have a particular favourite? What's been left off the list? I love cinema advertising, so if you link anything to me in the comments that you think's worth a watch that's exactly what I will do!