When we think of food advertising, we tend to jump to the big names in the industry; KFC, Burger King, Subway, and Pizza Hut, to name but few. Nothing too exciting going on there.
However, if you take a closer look, and cross over a continent or two, you'll soon find there are some completely absurd and bizarre advertisements out there even for the most mundane cuisine. And when it comes to the weirdest and wackiest in the industry, whether a commercial or a billboard, there is always the risk that the general population won’t "get" it.
This first came to my attention in my travels around the world. Some made me stare unreservedly and question almost every question there is in life. There were some food ads that made no sense whatsoever. Then there were some ads that completely deterred me from ever wanting to try said food. Why would I want to eat “erotic crisps”? My mind was boggled, and I just couldn't understand why anyone would want to them.
Yet these adverts were clearly successful in their goals, at least to some degree. I can only guess their strategy was that the weirder and wackier it was, the longer it lingered on your subconscious. Then one day you see said product, by which point you've forgotten all about their creepy advert that kept you awake for hours every night of your precious childhood. And ta-da! Success.
From the first TV commercials and billboards of the 1950s to the ones we see today, they have persuaded, manipulated, and entertained us. But there are also those which have downright confused, and honestly, freaked us out. Here's a roundup of some of weirdest, wackiest, and in some cases truly horrifying, food advertisements of all time.
1. Little Baby's Ice Cream
To celebrate the opening of their new ice cream store in Philadelphia, the owners of Little Baby’s Ice Cream decided to create this TV commercial: the most terrifying commercial you have ever seen. And if you don't want to be put off ice cream forever (like I didn't), I strongly advise you avoid watching this commercial for the rest of your life. While a man covered in what appears to be the ice cream advertised, not once blinking, a disturbing narrator hauntingly claims “you'll wink, and nod, and hug, and high five each other with great enthusiasm.” Run away now!
2. McDonald's
Credit: Flickr/San Diego Shooter
The source of many people's fear of clowns. McDonald's has come a long, long way since its first TV commercial in 1963, but if this commercial is anything to go by, Ronald McDonald the clown's real career has been starring in horror movies ever since.
3. Milk Seafood Noodles
You may have heard about Japan's weird and wacky commercials, and this one certainly lives up to that reputation. This young lady was simply trying to enjoy her “milk seafood noodles” in the middle of some eerie woods, when out of nowhere, men in cheese and pepper costumes jump out and attack her noodles.
4. Tarako Pasta
The idea behind this commercial is to demonstrate how your Tarako pasta comes "all neatly lined up," just like the army of baby-faced things marching towards this girl's pasta bowl while she stares back in horror. I wonder what happened to that kid…
5. Pizza Hut
K-Pop is a huge deal in South Korea, so this Pizza Hut commercial targets this audience by having a wannabe “Girls Generation” do a dance routine with their pizza. The problem is, you can't dance and eat pizza and the same time. However, if you loved the dancing, there's a tutorial at the end, so you can learn the routine. Neat!
6. Burga Kebab
Excuse me? What? Am I missing something here? I can only fathom that whoever thought up this billboard either has an incredibly dry sense of humour or is currently serving time for a stabbing incident at the local eatery.
7. Apple Juice
Michael Jordan for Nike? Britney for Pepsi? Seems legit. So why is Ringo Starr the face of this brand of apple juice in Japan? Here's the bizarre connection: "Ringo Starr" roughly translates to "apple juice" in Japanese! You learn something new every day, I suppose.
8. Woolworths
There's nothing to be proud of here. Since when are doughnuts considered fresh food? Seriously, the only thing fresh about Australia in this advertisement is the air blowing through the centre of the doughnut. Although, at least the letters are green...
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