17 Great Advertisements Worth Learning From (Nike, Coca-Cola, IBM & More)

ADVERTISING • CREATIVITY • BRANDING

17 Great Advertisements Worth Learning From

From Nike and Coca-Cola to IBM and The Economist: what makes an ad stick in your memory long after you scroll past it.

A great advertisement does something rare: it makes you stop, smile, think, and sometimes remember a brand for decades. This collection brings together 17 creative ads and brands that people love to share. Below you will find what each one is known for, the common ideas behind great advertising, and answers to the questions readers ask most.

Great advertising starts with one clear idea.

17

Ads and brands

5

Creative lessons

6

FAQs answered

1The 17 advertisements in this collection

#1 • Beauty

Quick Dry Nail Polish

In this category the promise is speed, so a good ad makes “dries fast” visible at a glance.

#2 • Confectionery

Mars Chocolate

Long associated with “A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play”, a promise built around everyday energy.

#3 • Publishing

The Economist

Famous for witty, text-led posters in its red-and-white branding that flatter the reader’s intelligence.

#4 • Coffee

Folgers Coffee

Best known for the jingle “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup”, tying coffee to a daily ritual.

#5 • Chocolate

Kit Kat

Built around “Have a break, have a Kit Kat”, a simple line linking a snack to a moment of rest.

#6 • Fast food

McDonald’s

“I’m lovin’ it”, launched in 2003, shows how a short, sound-friendly line can travel across countries and media.

#7 • Oral care

Formula Toothpaste

Oral-care ads work best when a benefit such as fresh breath or strong teeth is shown, not just claimed.

#8 • Luxury watches

IWC Watches

A Swiss luxury watchmaker. Luxury advertising sells craftsmanship and heritage far more than features.

#9 • Beverages

Coca-Cola

“Share a Coke”, which put names on bottles, is a classic case of personalising a mass-market product.

#10 • TV drama

Law & Order

Promotion for a TV series must hook curiosity about the story within seconds.

#11 • Confectionery

Cotton Candy

Sweet treats sell on nostalgia and fun, so playful visuals do most of the work.

#12 • Sportswear

Nike

“Just Do It” has been the slogan since 1988: three words that sell attitude, not shoes.

#13 • Ambient & outdoor

Superman Elevator

Ambient ads turn an everyday space into the ad itself, so the audience becomes part of the idea.

#14 • Creative pick

Prive

A standout creative from the original collection, included for its bold, memorable idea.

#15 • Healthcare

A Hospital in Britain

Healthcare advertising earns attention when it informs and moves people without scaring them.

#16 • Detergent

Ariel

“Share the Load” in India questioned who does the laundry at home, proving a household product can start a social conversation.

#17 • Technology

IBM

The “Think” motto dates back to the early 1900s, showing how a single word can become a lasting brand identity.

📝 Note
The descriptions above are about each brand’s well-known advertising, since this post is a creative-inspiration collection. Collection credit: Rakshita Nagayach. Source: Facebook / Quora.

25 lessons great advertisements teach us

The five lessons at a glance.

1

One clear idea
The best ads say one thing and say it well. Nike and Kit Kat each own a single, simple thought.

2

Emotion beats information
People remember how an ad made them feel. Coca-Cola and Ariel both lean on human connection.

3

Make the line memorable
Short, rhythmic slogans such as “Just Do It” and “I’m lovin’ it” are easy to repeat.

4

Show, do not just tell
A visual that proves the benefit works better than a paragraph claiming it.

5

Respect the audience
The Economist-style wit assumes the reader is clever, and readers reward that with loyalty.

3Frequently asked questions

What makes an advertisement great?

A great advertisement has one clear idea, an emotional or surprising hook, and a line or image people can remember and repeat. It makes the brand feel relevant to the audience’s life, not just visible.

Why do slogans matter so much?

A short slogan is easy to remember and repeat, so it keeps working long after the ad is gone. Lines like “Just Do It” and “Have a break, have a Kit Kat” have outlived many campaigns.

Do creative print and outdoor ads still work in the digital age?

Yes. Strong creative ideas travel across print, outdoor, social media and video. A clever ad is often shared online, which multiplies its reach far beyond the original placement.

What can small businesses learn from big-brand advertising?

You do not need a big budget to use the same principles: pick one message, speak to a real feeling, keep the wording short, and make the visual do the explaining.

Who created this collection?

The collection credit goes to Rakshita Nagayach, and it was shared on Facebook and Quora. This post is a curated, expanded write-up of that collection.

How can I get better at writing advertising copy?

Study real campaigns, write many short versions of the same idea, read your lines aloud, and test which one people remember the next day. Short and specific almost always beats long and clever.

Which advertisement is your favourite?

Tell me in the comments which of these 17 sticks in your mind, and share this post with anyone who loves creative marketing.

Originally published September 2017. Updated October 2026 with expanded descriptions, key lessons and FAQs. Credit: Rakshita Nagayach. Source: Facebook / Quora.