The 1980s was an iconic decade for various reasons, from questionable fashion choices to legendary music, but it was also an era of some pretty extraordinary television adverts.
Like most families across the UK, Manchester households would gather round the TV to watch their favourite programmes. Nowadays, we can easily avoid watching adverts by muting or fast forwarding them, changing the channel, or checking our phones.
Back in the 1980s, however, we had no choice but to sit through some frankly bizarre, cringe-worthy and often hilarious adverts. Looking back, it's no surprise they've remained ingrained in our minds decades later.
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The MEN has looked back at eight of the most memorable television adverts from the 1980s. They include promotions for food items and household goods, with some featuring celebrities and often catchy jingles.
Trebor 'Mr Soft'
As advertising jingles go, Trebor smashed it out the park with the ‘Mr Soft’ tune to promote its soft mints. Looking back at it now, the advert really is quite terrifying, with Mr Soft parading around with a creepy expression on his pillow-like face. He must have haunted kids’ dreams.
Nescafé ' Gold Blend Couple'
The genius marketing team at Nescafé didn’t just create one advert to promote its Gold Blend coffee, but a series of ads that each ended on a cliff-hanger. With as much drama as Coronation Street, the advert featured actors Anthony Head and Sharon Maughan who have a slow-burning romance over a cup of coffee.
Chewits 'Muncher Menace'
Who could forget the giant Godzilla-like monster that stormed across London tearing the city apart and eating various items? Not to worry, though, as if you had an enormous pack of Chewits taller than you at hand, you’d be able to give it to the ‘Muncher Menace’ and “keep the enemy from your door”. Remember, “chew for victory!”
Walls 'Just One Cornetto'
An advert remembered for its iconic song is Walls Cornetto. The advert features a woman eating a Cornetto while relaxing in a gondola, and when a gondolier in another boat approaches her, he can’t help but start singing. Arguably the greatest plot twist in advertisement history: he’s actually serenading the Cornetto, not her!
Aquafresh ‘Toothpaste Family’
There were various animated television adverts in the 1980s, with Aquafresh being up there as one of the best. It was impossible not to have the catchy jingle in your head as you brushed your teeth - “three-in-one protection for your fam-il-yyyyy.”
Cadbury’s 'Milk Tray Man'
The 1980s advert for this iconic box of chocolates was like something straight out of a James Bond film. The Milk Tray Man uses a crane to swing through the city at night in search of his lady’s room. When he reaches his destination, he pulls out a box of Milk Tray and leaves it with a card, before the voiceover says: “All because the lady loves Milk Tray”. Take note, people!
Shake 'N Vac 'Dance'
Get Jenny Logan on Strictly Come Dancing, as her moves in the Shake ‘N Vac advert were quite something. Dancing while hoovering, singing and wearing heels? Not a problem for Jenny! It’s safe to say the majority of us don’t show the same enthusiasm when it comes to cleaning our carpets.
Milky Way 'Red Car Vs Blue Car'
The 1980s Milky Way advert was as thrilling as any cartoon, with the animated Red Car and Blue Car having a race with numerous obstacles in the way. The tune that accompanied the action was certainly an earworm, with families singing along as the drama unfolded.
Which 1980s television advert was your favourite? Let us know in the comments section below.
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