11 TV Ads That Accidentally Became Iconic
Some TV ads that were never meant to be legendary ended up becoming cultural icons remembered for decades.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Advertising often aims to sell a product, but sometimes, a commercial takes on a life of its own. Certain ads connected with audiences so strongly that they became part of popular culture, even if that was not the original intention. These examples show how unexpected moments in marketing history can leave lasting impressions.
1. 1. Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef?”
Valereee on Wikimedia Commons
This 1984 commercial featured an elderly woman demanding more meat in her burger. The simple phrase, “Where’s the beef?” became a nationwide catchphrase almost overnight. It even made its way into politics during the presidential race. The ad was intended to promote Wendy’s but ended up shaping American pop culture.
2. 2. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Ad
Dave Jones on Wikimedia Commons
Apple’s dramatic commercial aired only once during the Super Bowl, portraying the Macintosh as a tool of rebellion against conformity. While it was meant as a product launch, the ad became a milestone in advertising history. Its imagery was endlessly discussed and referenced for years. It showed how a single broadcast could change the future of marketing.
3. 3. Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke”
angrit on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 1971, this ad showed people from around the world singing together on a hilltop. The commercial was meant to promote unity through Coca-Cola, but the song itself became hugely popular. It was released as a single and hit the music charts. The campaign became bigger than the product itself.
4. 4. Budweiser’s “Whassup?”
Missvain on Wikimedia Commons
What started as a humorous commercial in 1999 turned into a cultural phenomenon. The exaggerated “Whassup?” greeting spread rapidly among friends and even appeared in TV shows and films. It was never designed to last beyond the ad campaign. Instead, it became one of the most quoted lines of the era.
5. 5. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”
Armbrust on Wikimedia Commons
This 2010 ad introduced a fast-talking character delivering lines directly to the camera in surreal settings. The humor and unexpected style went viral online. It not only revived Old Spice’s brand but also became a meme. The ad’s influence lasted far beyond its original release.
6. 6. Nike’s “Just Do It”
Mictlancihuatl on Wikimedia Commons
Nike launched the slogan in 1988 with a straightforward television commercial. The line was meant to inspire athletes but resonated with a much wider audience. It quickly became a universal motivational phrase. Today, it is one of the most recognized taglines in history.
7. 7. California Raisins’ Claymation Ads
Fæ on Wikimedia Commons
In the late 1980s, clay-animated raisins sang “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in television ads. The quirky idea was intended to boost raisin sales but created an entertainment craze. The characters appeared in merchandise, TV specials, and music albums. Few ads for fruit have ever reached that level of fame.
8. 8. Energizer Bunny Commercials
Energizer on Wikimedia Commons
The pink bunny that “keeps going and going” first appeared in the late 1980s. It was meant as a parody of another battery brand’s ad, but it took on its own identity. The character became instantly recognizable and lasted for decades. The mascot ended up outliving the original campaign idea.
9. 9. Pepsi’s Cindy Crawford Commercial
Connor Turner on Wikimedia Commons
During the 1992 Super Bowl, Pepsi aired a commercial featuring model Cindy Crawford drinking a Pepsi at a gas station. The ad was designed to highlight new packaging, but her appearance overshadowed the product. The commercial became one of the most talked-about moments in advertising. It is still remembered as a cultural snapshot of the early ’90s.
10. 10. “Got Milk?” Campaign
UWCTransferBot on Wikimedia Commons
The campaign started in 1993 with ads showing people frustrated after running out of milk. The simple tagline “Got Milk?” became instantly memorable. Celebrities later joined with milk mustaches, turning it into a pop culture trend. The ads achieved far more cultural impact than expected.
11. 11. Dos Equis’ “Most Interesting Man in the World”
Nacho on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 2006, the ad featured a suave older man with over-the-top adventures. His catchphrase, “Stay thirsty, my friends,” spread far beyond beer marketing. The character became an internet sensation with endless parodies. It started as just another beer ad, but it evolved into a cultural icon.