Culture: Old Spice: From lamest brand ever to coolest brand ever?
- Whoever thought up these ads is a genius. The second ad in this well-regarded series, a hit on YouTube and TV alike, presents Isaiah Mustafa as the most confident man ever, pretty much owning his surroundings. It’s been a slow climb, but the deodorant company has truly come into its own with its advertising. Here’s how they evolved:
Old Spice, circa 1957 As you can tell here, the brand was square in a way that sort of defined it since. In a way, its advertising paved the way for its current ironic manliness, with taglines like, “Never did a dollar bring you so much!”
old spice, circa 1990WHOA – did you see that captain pick up some other dude’s lady? This is the kind of clip we’re talking about – totally from a different era, one which didn’t feel hip even in 1990. (Here’s another example.)
Old spice, circa 2007This commercial paved the way for the Old Spice we know and love today. Bruce Campbell doesn’t even have to say the name of the product. We know exactly what he’s talking about. We think.