Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

These 17 simple ads are pure genius

Yes, they’re trying to sell us something – but at least they’re being creative about it.

DESPITE THE DIGITAL revolution and the fact that people use their phones more than print products, advertising on paper is still the most expensive option for brands.

So ad creators have to get value for their money by coming up with great ideas to engage the reader.

Business Insider has compiled this list of creative and funny ads which also sell the product well.

Mostly, they just made us nod our heads in appreciation.

PastedImage-21747 Alka Seltzer: Kitten

PastedImage-64804 Belgian Association for Obese Patients: Encourage Your Children to Do More Sport

PastedImage-54840 Bose noise reduction headphones: Waterfall

PastedImage-79870 Erdal shoe polish: Rearview Mirror

PastedImage-31316 DHL

PastedImage-71178 National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy in France: Bikini

PastedImage-81399 It's not the holidays without J&B

PastedImage-38925 Softlan Ultra: Wrestling

PastedImage-6388 Listerine Mouthwash: Sermon

PastedImage-30514 Burger King

PastedImage-80250 ChupaChups Sugar Free: Ants

PastedImage-67481 Raid Bugspray

PastedImage-9049 Penguin Audiobooks: William Shakespeare

PastedImage-63294 Wrigley Orbit: Chicken

PastedImage-9345 Samantha Cracked Heel Lotion: Sexy Heels

PastedImage-67398 Dental Snacks: Bad Dog Breath

PastedImage-11273 Senior Self Defence Academy: Deadly seniors, Biker

To check out more great print ads, look at HubpagesSprystudios, and Creative Bloq where some of these ad ideas were found.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
20 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carlin Ite
    Favourite Carlin Ite
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 7:05 PM

    96fm in cork have a great poster campaign at the moment saying “don’t play with the knob” printed beside a pic of a radio. It’s taking a stab at Neil Prendeville moving to red fm

    517
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:00 PM

    Great pun there, Carlin.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
    Favourite Gerry Ryan deG
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 9:43 PM

    Of course that’s just a coincidence but he was playing with something again when he Pulled The Plug(boom boom) on a star much bigger than himself in a fit of jealousy against his former employer who saved his career when he was just another plonker with a lame excuse.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hank Schrader
    Favourite Hank Schrader
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 6:48 PM

    3 million people in France probably will indeed think it’s an ad for a bikini because they probably can’t read the English of the ad..

    397
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Begrudgy
    Favourite Begrudgy
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 7:29 PM

    Anyone else zoom in on that picture just to make sure.

    125
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Byrne
    Favourite Mark Byrne
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:02 PM

    Yup

    37
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brains for rocks
    Favourite brains for rocks
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 10:25 PM

    There was writing?

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 6:46 PM

    Thanks Sinead. Some good ones in there.

    116
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RE 3
    Favourite RE 3
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 7:59 PM

    Couldn’t agree with ye more!!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RE 3
    Favourite RE 3
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 7:59 PM

    What’s hung up on the tree in the one for the obese patients?

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute me so harney
    Favourite me so harney
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:06 PM

    A games console

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RE 3
    Favourite RE 3
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:09 PM

    Ah cheers!

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Q8K9dOAu
    Favourite Q8K9dOAu
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:21 PM

    DHL ad is good, but the person is reading the mag back-to-front?
    Marketing actor fail.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 10:28 PM

    Probably Chinese/Japanese. They read right to left.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike O Neill
    Favourite Mike O Neill
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 11:00 PM

    Neither of those are right to left.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Flaherty
    Favourite Anne Flaherty
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 11:06 PM

    The listerine ad is a typical scene of mass every Sunday, al down the back afraid of the priest

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute art vandelay
    Favourite art vandelay
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 7:00 PM
    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute davey p
    Favourite davey p
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 8:28 PM

    That man is one of the greats, you have me wanting to watch one of his gigs now

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Heliolight
    Favourite Heliolight
    Report
    Apr 13th 2014, 10:10 PM

    The wrestling one is the best one. The rest are only ok.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute business
    Favourite business
    Report
    Apr 14th 2014, 6:57 AM

    I can’t see any of those photos on my phone :(

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.