10 Ridiculous Commercial Claims That Somehow Worked
These wild marketing promises made people buy in — and surprisingly, they actually delivered (or at least convinced us they did).
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
Advertising has always pushed the envelope, but sometimes, it leaps right off the page. Over-the-top, often outrageous claims have lured millions, becoming iconic in the process. Against all logic, these bold pitches didn’t flop — they became cultural touchstones.
1. Red Bull “Gives You Wings”
Jesper Brouwers on Unsplash
No, it doesn’t literally help you fly — but the slogan soared. With its cartoonish style and quirky tone, Red Bull convinced consumers it offered an energy boost like no other.
2. HeadOn “Apply Directly to the Forehead”
Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
This ad repeated the phrase three times — and that was it. There was no explanation, no science, just a robotic chant. People were baffled, annoyed, yet strangely intrigued.
3. Wheaties “Breakfast of Champions”
Th78blue on Wikimedia Commons
Linking a cereal to elite athletes was a stretch, but brilliant. It created an image of strength, discipline, and winning, all in a box. Kids who ate Wheaties imagined greatness with every spoonful.
4. Coca-Cola “It’s the Real Thing”
EasyLife Designs on Unsplash
What did that even mean? Nobody could quite explain it, yet the phrase resonated. It tapped into authenticity and classic Americana.
5. Dr Pepper “Be a Pepper”
Luke Landon on Pexels
This campaign turned soda drinkers into a quirky tribe. The jingle was catchy, and being “a Pepper” suddenly sounded like a lifestyle. It didn’t make sense, but it made people feel included.
6. Bounty “The Quicker Picker Upper”
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Catchy, rhyming, and totally memorable — Bounty didn’t just claim to be good; it said it was faster. While tests could vary, the slogan gave it an edge.
7. Alka-Seltzer “Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz”
Mysterymanblue on Wikimedia Commons
These bubbly tablets got a musical jingle that’s still stuck in heads decades later. It made stomach relief sound almost fun. That rhythmic repetition worked like magic.
8. Folgers “The Best Part of Wakin’ Up”
Majiscup Paper Cup 紙コップ美術館 on Flickr
Coffee as a life motivator? Bold. With a smooth tune and emotional ads, Folgers connected morning routines with comfort and joy.
9. Avis “We Try Harder”
Atomic Taco on Wikimedia Commons
Admitting you’re not number one was a risky move. However, Avis turned its underdog status into a virtue, promising better service.
10. Life Cereal “He Likes It! Hey Mikey!”
Mike Mozart on Flickr
Selling a bland cereal to kids seemed impossible — until Mikey showed up. The line felt spontaneous and authentic, like something you’d actually hear at breakfast.