The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part II

Last year we gazed back into the golden age of arcade and video game advertising, when ad agencies went all in on sexy (and often sexist) ad campaigns. It was a very different time. Well, there were more than enough examples to warrant a sequel post, so here it is. This time, with 100% more … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games, Part II

The Art of the Ad: The Playboy Club

At some point in the 1970s, probably just a couple of years before I was born, my parents and some of their friends visited the Playboy Club on East 59th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. I know this because of the Playboy swizzle sticks stored in a kitchen cabinet during my childhood, which I … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: The Playboy Club

The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games

The 1970s-1980s arcade ads are so gloriously retro now that you can almost see the console lights blinking and flashing, smell the acrid odor of teenage boys working up a sweat gunning for high score on Centipede, and hear the myriad sounds of bleeps, booms, and other onomatopoeia bouncing around the room. The later, home … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Sex, Lies, and Video Games

The Art of the Ad: Cheryl Ladd for Suntory Brandy

Decades before Bill Murray’s character in Lost in Translation (2003) went to Japan to star in commercials for Suntory whiskey, Cheryl Ladd did it first. At the peak of her Charlie’s Angels fame, around 1980-81, Cheryl donned several sexy outfits, grabbed a brandy snifter, and became the spokesperson for Suntory Brandy in a series of … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Cheryl Ladd for Suntory Brandy

The Art of the Ad: Take Home Elvira with Thriller Video

Last time in this space I discussed the popular 1980s Coors and Coors Light ads featuring our favorite horror hostess with the mostess Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Well, it’s Halloween season and Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) wasn’t just a brew-pitching barmaid, no siree, so I’m bringing her back for another round. Elvira has been the … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Take Home Elvira with Thriller Video