5 curiosities in the history of advertising

1. The first advertising jingle in history (1926)

In 1926, the cereal brand Wheaties introduced one of the first advertising jingles in history. Titled "Have You Tried Wheaties?", this simple and catchy tune was first broadcast on a Minneapolis radio station, marking the beginning of a trend that endures to this day. Jingles quickly became an essential tool for making a product memorable and connecting with consumers through easily recalled melodies.

Years later, this technique remains relevant, as jingles continue to be one of the most effective ways to keep brands in the public’s mind. In fact, in 1929, Wheaties’ sales soared so much after its use on the radio that the company decided to invest even more in radio advertising, ultimately saving the cereal from being discontinued.

2. Subliminal advertising: A controversial experiment(1957)

In 1957, market researcher James Vicary conducted an experiment that would forever change the concept of influence in advertising. During a movie screening, he inserted subliminal frames with messages like “Drink Coca-Cola” and “Eat popcorn,” suggesting that these hidden messages boosted product sales. Although it was later revealed that the results were fabricated, this incident sparked a global debate about the ethics of subliminal advertising, which aims to influence consumers’ decisions without their awareness.

This event generated widespread concern, and in many countries, subliminal advertising was banned, out of fear that it could manipulate audiences without their knowledge.

3. The most effective slogan born by mistake: Nike’s "Just Do It" (1988)

Nike became a sports industry giant thanks to its slogan "Just Do It," one of the most memorable and effective phrases in advertising history. The curious thing is that this slogan, which inspired millions to push beyond their limits, was born from a completely accidental conversation. Dan Wieden, the creator of Nike’s campaign, drew inspiration from the last words of a death row inmate who said, "Let’s do it." The phrase was slightly tweaked, and with that, one of advertising’s most iconic taglines was born.

Since its debut in 1988, "Just Do It" became a mantra for athletes and enthusiasts alike, associated with motivation and empowerment. This campaign solidified Nike as a market leader, and the phrase remains synonymous with personal achievement.

4. The longest advertisement in the world: 14 Hours of advertising (2011)

In an attempt to connect uniquely with its audience, Old Spice broke records in 2011 with the longest advertisement ever broadcast: 14 hours and 9 minutes of continuous advertising! The commercial, based on its successful campaign featuring Isaiah Mustafa, aired on Brazilian television and repeated various versions with slight variations and real-time responses to social media comments. In doing so, the brand not only showcased its creativity but also demonstrated how interactivity with the audience can be a key element in modern campaigns.

The goal was to forge a direct connection with the public, and though its length was a radical experiment, this approach helped Old Spice stand out memorably in the minds of consumers.

5. The advertising campaign that cost nothing: Red Bull Stratos (2012)

Red Bull took advertising to new heights in 2012 with the Red Bull Stratos campaign, in which skydiver Felix Baumgartner jumped from the stratosphere. The event, broadcast live to millions of people around the world, not only broke records but also transformed how brands can engage audiences without relying on traditional paid advertisements.

Most impressively, Red Bull didn’t spend a dime on conventional media. The media coverage was so extensive that television channels and websites aired the jump for free, giving the brand global visibility at nearly no cost. Baumgartner’s feat was not only an advertising triumph but also shattered viewership records, with over 8 million live views on YouTube during the broadcast.

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