The Best Pole Dancing Video. Ever!

Aren't bears the best? Happy Friday everyone.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XIX

The elections are over, I lost, and we're back to business as usual. Since it's Friday it's time for a little Friday fun with the Advertising of Yesterday.



This ad from a 1970 issue of Outdoor Life, features the new plastic coated blades by Gillette.

Kudos to Gillette. In the days before double, triple and even quadruple blades there was the choice of a straight razor or safety razors with the disposable blades. These were the days of deep nicks and styptic powder. I am not sure that the plastic coating really made any difference but it was a valiant attempt on Gillette's part to move some blades. Fortunately we are much better off today. With lubricating strips, tilting head and multiple blades, we are able to get much closer shaves without the war wounds to show for it.

I remember playing with the safety razors as a kid, sans blade of course. I used them as matchbox car "picker uppers" in my imaginary auto salvage yard. Matchbox salvage yards aside, the one thing I remember even more was the little slot in the back of the old school medicine cabinets with a sticker under the slot that said "Used Blades"

What magical beast lived behind the medicine cabinet and why was he so keen on collecting used razor blades? Was there some kind of spatial anomaly or tear in the space-time continuum that sent the blades to some other dimension?

It wasn't until about 4 years ago I discovered the truth. I decided to remodel my bathroom at home and I had one of these old school metal medicine cabinets between the studs. I removed the screws holding the medicine cabinet to the wall and carefully peered behind the ancient structure. You know what I found? Not some cleverly crafted vacuum tube system to the unknown, but a pile of rusty razor blades sitting on the horizontal 2 x 4 support. My fantasy of finding the holy grail had been ruined forever.

What's the point of all this random rambling? I'm not sure. What I do know is that shaving for both men and women is a much more enjoyable venture today. Is it possible that it may have all started with the "miracle plastic coating" by Gillette? I think it may have.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

And We Wonder Why Kids Are Dumb

How exactly are you supposed to respond to this during parent/teacher conferences?

 

The Funniest Cat Video I've Seen

I am not much of a cat fan. Don't ask me why, I guess I just like dogs. That being said, cats seem to get into the craziest predicaments which does bring me some enjoyment.

I ran across this following video on Laughing Squid and I almost passed out I was laughing so hard. I didn't have my volume on the first time I watched it, that was a critical mistake.

For your Friday Fun viewing enjoyment, I give you: Cat VS. Printer.



Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XVII

Remember these?



Before Wikipedia, before the internet and before there were encyclopedias on CD, there was the Encyclopedia Britannica. This ad from 1970 features the multi-volume reference set that was all the rage through the 70's and 80's.

Sales of the encyclopedia hit a peak in the mid 90's and had come to a screeching halt by 1995. By late 1995 over half of the encyclopedia salesmen were out of work The nearly 30 year reference reign had ended sharply. By 1996, the market was flooded with out of work encyclopedia sales veterans looking for employment, many of whom ended up in the insurance industry.

By 2004 There was only one Encyclopedia Britannica salesman left, Scott Lohman. His sales territory was the United States. Since 1973 he had been peddling the reference collection to libraries, families and other institutions of learning. I remember when I was kid and even through high school, all the reports I had to write primarily reference the good ol' encyclopedia.

In early 2006 Lohman was ready to call it quits. But not before he made one final sale. The last Encyclopedia Britannica hard back sale was made to a church in Appalachia "...that believes electricity is the Devil's farts."

It's pretty amazing how something as signifigant as the encyclopedia just faded away without anyone noticing. I wonder what else will be impacted by technology. Newspaper perhaps? What else has gone away and we don't seem to miss it?

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XVI

It's Friday and it's time for another edition of "The Advertising of Yesterday". I know, I know. I have been slacking this week. Your probably wondering where I have been. No where, I have just been busy. Trying to balance client work and getting my campaign up and running.

No more excuses. On to the good stuff.

This ad for Savage Firearms comes from a 1970 issue of Outdoor Life. I ran across several ads that are similar to this one but most are strictly promoting the rifles and shotguns. This particular ad is part of a contest where you can win trips, campers and guns - Oh my.



Oh how we have changed. Before political correctness, there was Savage. OK, check me if I am wrong. I find it highly unlikely that a "Native American" would be seen in a modern day ad promoting something with a negative name tied to the days long before this ad was conceived - Savage. As I sit here and reflect back, I remember a local restaurant called "Sambos." The restaurant operated with images of what was probably the most offensive commercial cartoon character by today's standards. Little Black Sambo.



"A popular U.S. restaurant chain of the 1960s and 1970s, Sambo's, borrowed characters from the book (including Sambo and the tigers) for promotional purposes... the controversy about the book led to accusations of racism that contributed to the 1,117-restaurant chain's demise in the early 1980s. Images inspired by the book (now considered by some racially insensitive) were common interior decorations in the restaurants."

The world we live in continues to evolve around us. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad. Advertising that influences us all continues to evolve along with society. Ad that are now common place would be seen as a detestable in the 60's. Conversely, ads like the one above are now seen as inappropriate. Either way, advertising is a big part of our lives. Everyone views it and responds to it, but most are seldom conscious of advertising's effectiveness - that is until we see things like they use to be.

Thanks for stopping by. Oh, and make sure you get entered in the contest. Have a great weekend everyone.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XV

When a 4 wheel drive vehicle simply won't do - Drive a tank.



Doesn't Cushman make golf carts? Well evidently in 1970 they were also in the personal tank business. Honestly, I would love to have one of these little guys. That thing can probably go through all kinds of nastiness and come out smelling like a rose on the other side.

A quick search of "Cushman Trackster" will provide more information than you care to know. There are some excellent videos on YouTube featuring units that people have restored. There's even a guy that's selling parts for the Trackster.

If your reading this post on Friday morning, I have already been relaxing in the North woods for over 12 hours. I know your jealous. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XIV

I guess there is nothing special or odd about this ad. This is simply another celebrity endorsing Camel Cigarettes. It's also another example of the campaign that came before the, "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" campaign.

This ad comes from 1965, the days before Photoshop. Honestly, I can't imagine having to work up ads with out the modern design software and computers. I have seen demonstrations how the old ads were made. It may not have been uncommon for an agency to have 40 man hours in an ad. And if the client didn't like the photography and/or hand drawn art, it was literally "back to the drawing board."

Yes, the 60's were an interesting time. The time when a plastic bag from the cleaners made a great space man costume when you put it over your head. The time when there was no fuel injection and you could fix your car yourself. And the time when you could ride up front as a kid and not worry about a booster seat.

But hey, we are much better off now... Aren't we?

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XIII

So you want to go deer hunting?



Well, how about doing it on a motorcycle? The 1965 advertising execs for the Honda corporation thought it was a good idea to try and capture the "hunting" market. Forget about pickups, jeeps and all the other 4 wheel drive vehicles of the day, and get yerself a 90 cc motorcicle. Granted, this was the time before ATV's as we know them were even an idea but seriously, how in the world are you going to transport a 220 (270 in Iowa) pound deer on a motorcycle. Such a disappointing attempt at penetrating a market from a company with one of the top ad campaigns of all time. These ads were the follow up to the, "you meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign and an attempt to attract the "outdoorsy" crowd.



The "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign instituted by Grey Advertising was wildly successful. In the late 50's and early 60's, the bad biker image was systematically being dismantled by 8 cleverly crafted words. "Mothers who once wouldn't listen to an adolescent child's plea for a motorcycle began to compromise, saying, "I'll buy you one, if it's a Honda."





After the initial airing of the first ads, "...Honda was overwhelmed with requests to start up new dealerships and inundated with offers from other large corporations wanting to tie their own ad campaigns in with Honda. Annual sales of Honda motorcycles jumped from 40,000 units a year to a staggering 200,000 units per year, a 500% sales increase. No wonder that to this day, in colleges and universities around the world, the “Nicest People” campaign is studied as a model for a successful advertising campaign." Source

So there's a little more history for you. I am heading to the local waterpark tomorrow and if people are lucky they may catch a glimps of my glorious belly. Till next week then.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XII

Can I get a round of applause for Friday. The most anticipated and appreciated day of the week. Well, that's what I'm told anyway. And since it's Friday, it's time for another "old ad" from my collection of 1960's magazines that someone keeps dropping off. Whoever you are, thanks for the magazines, it is much appreciated but my office is starting to fill up.

This ad comes from the October 1965 issue of Outdoor Life.



Do you see what that says under the picture? "Guaranteed to go through ice, mud, and snow...or we pay the tow." Wow, that's a bold statement. They even guarantee it in writing.

Where I live, when the snow falls, I have been stuck with my 4 wheel drive vehicle. What makes this ad even more spectacular, most of the cars in the 60's were "one wheel wonders." Very few had a posi rear end. This makes me wonder many times the Firestone company had to honor this guarantee. It's definitely an incentive to buy the tires. I would be real surprised if a tire company would toss out something like that today.

2 tires for $25. In addition to the great price, they sweeten the pot by throwing in a ice scraper, all you have to do is ask.

Have an awesome weekend everyone. Don't get stuck.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part XI

I have always thought that people driving pickups as their primary vehicle was a relatively new concept. Pickups are getting nicer and definitely more comfortable. I saw this December 1965 ad and started thinking back to when I was a child. I don't remember anyone that I knew or my family knew that drove a pickup. We all had station wagons from what I can recall. Most people even pulled their campers with cars.

I asked around the office and most people didn't remember pickups as a child either. Then I asked someone who grew up in a small "farm" town. She said that's all they drove. Everyone had a pickup. Then it all made sense, station wagons for town folk and pickups for the rural lot. I wonder though, when did the pickup made the mainstream transition. Was it with the extended cab? Even up until the early 90's, pickups weren't that nice were they? Feel free to chime in here.

Thanks again for stopping by the Big Bald Blog. Have a great weekend!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part X

Before Columbine and Virginia Tech there was a time when someone thought a gun was a great "Gift Idea." This ad comes from the December 1967 issue of Outdoor Life.

1967 was a simpler time indeed. This was the time before background checks and 3 day waiting periods. As I looked at this ad, I realized something. The item in the ad hasn't changed in over 40 years. It's still a piece of machined steel that fires a projectile. A tool if you will, that requires someone to operate it. Not that different from, let's say, a hammer. What HAS changed is society. This very same item today is looked at in a different light. Some have even demonized it's very existence and seek to ban it's presence altogether. Instead of putting so much misguided energy into the item itself, shouldn't we be focusing on the real problem?

But then again I could be way off. Have a great weekend everyone.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part IX

In March of 1965 there was a campaign that ran before the "I'd walk a mile for a Camel" campaign and it was called "Camel Time."



Here is one such ad. I think this guy is having his Camel Time in a ski lodge. It looks like he is holding a ski pole. In light of the Iowa ban on smoking that went into effect July 1st, it makes you think how times have changed. Doctors used to smoke in exam rooms and hospitals. Offices across the country allowed smoking at your desk. It's interesting how some things fall out of favor. In 1965 you could pick up a gun at any hardware or department store. Now guns are the root of all evil and the killers of children. Smoking has found it's way to America's black list and gays can now marry. I wonder what the next 50 years will bring. Maybe we will find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie brand lolly pop.

And I'm outta here. I'll be back on Tuesday. I am off to the North woods for a little vacation. Have a great 4th everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part VIII

No girls allowed! I guess women didn't like a gin Collins back in July of 1965.



Sounds like a refreshing beverage to me, but then again, I am a "MAN." Actually this is one of several ads in a long running campaign from the mid-60's that attempted to make 7-up the preferred mixer of choice. Most of them did target men. As I run across the others I will make sure I post them as a follow up post to this one.

I want to offer up another sincere thanks for stopping by The Big Bald Blog. Again, if it weren't for you, the reader, I wouldn't be doing this.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part VII

Ah yes, the age old concept of a cross brand promotional partnership. However, this is a very unique pairing to say the least.

This ad for Crosman Air Rifles featuring Green Giant green beans comes from June of 1966. The copy states, "Enjoy the delicious flavor of Green Giant brand products, then save the cans for target shooting with America's newest, most exciting fun gun... Crosman's Powermaster 760 BB repeater rifle! A "giant killer" with power to spare."

What ads can you think of that have paired oddly matched products? I have one in mind and I will see if I can find a copy of it somewhere.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part VI

In 1966 Ma Bell was running a full-on marketing campaign to get people to make long distance calls. This June ad from Sports Afield magazine was one of many that targeted people on hunting and fishing trips.



I remember in the late 70's how expensive long distance was. If I remember correctly it was close to .50 cents a minute. This of course was before the "Bell" was broke up into the numerous "baby bells." My parents were obsessed with not calling long distance if at all possible. This is something that I carried over to my adult life. Then one day I realized that, I was only paying 10 cents a minute. Strange how we are effected by our upbringing. My Mom also had me paranoid about kidnappers and how they lie in wait in public restrooms. You see, they would sneak up behind you and inject you with "kidnapper drugs." To this day I am looking over my shoulder in public restroom. Is that weird?

Have a great weekend everyone and stay safe (especially in public restrooms).

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part V

Hmmm. Man sized pleasure huh?



Falstaff really hit a home run with this one in August of 1965. An open body of water symbolizing something and a confusing tag line? OK, someone help me out here, anyone have a clue?

Now, if this was a ad for the Beef Producers Association and there was a picture of a 32 oz steak and some baked beans loaded with bacon and in the background there stood a monster truck and a toilet with a 17 inch seat height, I might be able to get the "man sized pleasure" tie-in.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part IV

Today we take a journey back to August 1969. This ad appeared in the "Get-Ready-For-Hunting" special issue of Field and Stream, a magazine read almost entirely by men.



What a great ad! At a time when Tupperware was exclusively targeted at women, some enterprising ad exec started thinking outside the box. He either noticed his friends using Tupperware for purposes other than food storage or he had been nabbing his wife's plastic storage containers for his own. Either way, this is a great ad that crosses gender lines and markets a product, typically directed at woman, in a men's magazine.

The other thing I find interesting is the tag line: "Tupperware. In the yellow pages under housewares." Evidently every Yellowpage market had a Tupperware representative in 1969.

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part III

Evidently in June of 1974, women were pretty passionate about their smokes.



This Tareyton ad was actually part of a larger campaign showing mostly men with black eyes. The ad shown was the only one I was able to find that featured a woman. I can almost guarantee that you will never see a modern ad featuring a happy woman with a black eye. Well maybe if the ad was for a women's rugby team or something. But definitely not for a consumer good! The one thing I do see different in this 1974 ad is the Surgeon General's Warning at the bottom of the ad. Does anyone know what year this was mandated by the Government?

Don't you just love the old ads? Keep checking back every Friday for the newest ads from way back then. Make sure you don't miss a thing by subscribing to The Big Bald Blog.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday Part II

Welcome to Friday and the next edition of "The Advertising of Yesterday."

Here we take a trip back to October of 1967 with General Motors and what is now AC Delco.



I have to say, I think this is an effective ad. Whether you are looking at it in 1967 or today, the message of reliability comes across strong. After all, you want a battery you can rely on, especially if you find yourself in a bad part of town. One might argue that the ad headline, "If you drive places where you wouldn't want to walk" means a little more in 2008 than in did in 67.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

The Advertising of Yesterday

I am starting a new series called, "The Advertising of Yesterday." I have in my possession a sizable amount of circa 1964-1972 magazines. Of course, these magazines have a great selection of old ads from the period. Some of the best are the cigarette ads.

I have already featured a few of these smoking ads in previous posts.

Lets roll back the calendar and take a trip to June, 1965.



Some Observations:

• Of course the obvious "Springtime Fresh." Boy, has the image of cigarette smoking changed.
• Why is he carrying a gun? Were they hunting?

Obviously guns and cigarettes weren't evil yet in 65. So there you have it. Tune in every Friday to see the next installment of "The Advertising of Yesterday."