Best print advertisements ever

Advertising is made to sell products or services. But at it's best advertising can be so much more. It can shock, ravish, create a buzz, and even become part of our culture. Unfortunately 99,9 per cent of advertising is lousy, weak, repetitive, and downright obnoxious. But admen of today can't blame the lack of good examples. Here are some milestones of print advertising.























5. Apple
Apple recruited Gandhi, Einstein, Hitchcock, Picasso, Edison, Dalai Lama, Miles Davis, Maria Callas, and many other originals for this incredibly confident, plain, black and white campaign. But how in hell did they get all the rights?

















4. Benetton
Benetton showed penises, dying aids patient, bloody clothes of a soldier, crimson red newborn, and other shockers, and created a lot of fuss. But did these ads sell sweaters? Yes they did. Because all of a sudden everybody had an opinion about about a sweater-maker called Benetton.














3. Economist
How do you sell your product to a smart target group? By being smart.


















2. Silk cut
Where Economist used only words on a red background, Silk Cut didn't use words at all. There wasn't even a logo! You had to find the brand name from the picture yourself. Great example of creative advertising of the 80's.
























1. Lusitania
Shortly after Germans sank the ocean liner Lusitania on 1915 and killed almost 1200 people, this poster was published in USA. According to a legend one female victim was found with a baby still in her lap. So there was no need for the advertising guys to exaggerate or commercialize the story. Just paint the picture and add one single word. Needles to say the campaign was hugely successful.