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

The Art of the Ad: Elvira, Halloween, and Coors Light

"And if they ever ask about me, tell them I was more than just a great set of boobs. I was also an incredible pair of legs." Those words, delivered by Elvira—played masterfully as always by Cassandra Peterson—in the 1988 cult classic Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, encapsulate what fans love most about this woman: … Continue reading The Art of the Ad: Elvira, Halloween, and Coors Light