1. McGruff the Crime Dog “Take a Bite Out of Crime” (1980)
In the early ’80s, a trench coat–wearing, gravel-voiced cartoon bloodhound started appearing in public service ads with a single mission: helping kids stay safe. McGruff the Crime Dog told children how to avoid strangers, stay safe in neighborhoods, and report suspicious behavior. His tagline, “Take a bite out of crime,” became instantly recognizable to a generation. But many people today don’t associate him with the actual campaign he was part of.
McGruff was created by the National Crime Prevention Council to raise awareness about personal and community safety. He became a staple of elementary school visits, educational posters, and Saturday morning commercial breaks. Kids knew his voice, his look, even his walk—but not necessarily his purpose. Now he lives in that nostalgic space of “we know him, but… remind me again what he did?”
2. The “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” Ad (1971)
This iconic Coca-Cola commercial featured a hilltop full of young people from around the world singing in harmony. It was a beautiful, idealistic message of peace and unity, set to a tune that got stuck in everyone’s head. The jingle became so popular that it was re-recorded as a pop single called “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.” But despite Coke’s central role, many viewers remember the feeling and the song—more than the brand itself.
It aired during the height of the Vietnam War, tapping into the desire for global togetherness. The visual of people from all walks of life sharing a Coke struck a cultural nerve. But ironically, decades later, many people recognize the song without linking it back to the product. It’s more “hippie anthem” than “soft drink ad” in collective memory.
3. The “Where’s the Beef?” Campaign (1984)
Wendy’s rolled out this cranky old lady demanding more meat in her burger, and somehow it became a nationwide catchphrase. Clara Peller’s deadpan delivery turned three words into a generational joke. “Where’s the Beef?” showed up on T-shirts, in political debates, and in sitcoms, becoming cultural shorthand for calling something out as lacking substance. But a surprising number of people today couldn’t tell you it was a Wendy’s ad.
It was meant to highlight how much bigger Wendy’s patties were than those of McDonald’s and Burger King. But the phrase took on a life of its own, moving way beyond fast food. Even Walter Mondale used it against Gary Hart in a 1984 presidential debate. And now, for many, it lives on as a nostalgic punchline with a mysteriously missing origin.
4. Apple’s “1984” Super Bowl Ad
This moody, dystopian ad was directed by Ridley Scott and aired just once nationally—during the 1984 Super Bowl. It featured a hammer-throwing rebel destroying a screen with a Big Brother figure, clearly a reference to George Orwell’s “1984.” It positioned Apple as the bold alternative to conformity—aka IBM. Most people remember the eerie tone and revolutionary vibe, but forget it was selling a Macintosh computer.
The ad was a total game-changer, both for Super Bowl commercials and tech marketing. It turned a product launch into a cinematic event. But in hindsight, the cultural weight of the spot often overshadows the actual computer. Ask around, and you’ll get people talking about the ad—but few can name the product it introduced.
5. Life Cereal’s “Mikey Likes It!” (1972)
A trio of brothers sits at the breakfast table, daring each other to try a healthy-looking cereal. In comes Mikey, the pickiest eater of them all—and shockingly, he likes it. “He likes it! Hey Mikey!” became a line repeated in school cafeterias and TV parodies for years. But very few people remember what the product was actually called.
It was for Life cereal, and the ad ran for over a decade thanks to its staying power. The original actor, John Gilchrist, didn’t even know what a big deal the spot would become. The phrase took on a life of its own in pop culture. But even now, if you quiz someone on “Mikey,” they’ll probably shrug when asked what he was eating.
6. California Raisins “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1986)
Claymation raisins dancing to a Motown classic? Yes, it happened—and it was oddly mesmerizing. These anthropomorphic raisins grooved to Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” in a series of ads that launched them into pop culture stardom. There were toys, merchandise, even a short-lived TV special—but no one could quite remember what they were actually selling.
Technically, it was a campaign for the California Raisin Advisory Board to boost raisin sales. But the claymation raisins became celebrities in their own right. The characters were bigger than the snack they were meant to promote. Ask people today, and most remember the raisins—but not the reason they were there.
7. Tootsie Pop’s “How Many Licks?” Commercial (1970)
A curious kid asks a wise old owl a timeless question: “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” The owl crunches into it after three licks, and a meme-worthy legend is born. It’s still quoted, parodied, and referenced in everything from cartoons to Reddit threads. But outside candy enthusiasts, many don’t connect the line with the actual product.
The ad was brilliantly simple and endlessly replayable. It even inspired real scientific studies on how many licks it actually takes. But the quirky delivery and animation style overshadowed the candy’s name. It became a question for the ages—without much thought to what it was selling.
8. “This Is Your Brain on Drugs” PSA (1987)
A man cracks an egg into a sizzling frying pan: “This is your brain on drugs. Any questions?” It was terrifyingly effective, especially for kids growing up during the “Just Say No” era. The stark imagery stuck with people—simple, memorable, and very hard to shake. But the organization behind it is often forgotten.
It was produced by Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and it became a cornerstone of late-‘80s anti-drug messaging. Variations popped up for years afterward, including one with a smashed kitchen to show addiction’s broader impact. The phrase has been parodied endlessly, which only cemented its cultural staying power. But today, many people remember the eggs more than the message—or who was even behind it.
9. “Reach Out and Touch Someone” by AT&T (1979)
This soft, sentimental ad campaign urged people to call their loved ones. The jingle was sweet and just a little melancholy, encouraging emotional connection through long-distance phone calls. For a generation growing up before cell phones, it hit a nerve. But ask someone what company was behind it, and you might get a puzzled look.
It was AT&T, pushing their long-distance services at a time when calls were expensive and deliberate. The line became shorthand for reconnecting with family or friends. It lived far beyond its telecom roots. Today, it sounds more like a Hallmark slogan than a phone ad.
10. McDonald’s “You Deserve a Break Today” (1971)
This jingle told you what you didn’t know you needed—a break. It captured the spirit of the working class in the early ’70s, tired from the daily grind. The tune was cheerful, the message reassuring, and it became one of the most awarded jingles in advertising history. But the link to McDonald’s isn’t as strong in most people’s memory as the message itself.
It was part of a massive image rebranding, moving McDonald’s from “fast food joint” to “friendly neighborhood spot.” The campaign helped shift public perception, especially among moms and families. Yet today, it’s more remembered for its feel-good vibe than the burgers. People recall the break—but not necessarily the fries.
11. “Mean Joe Greene” Coke Ad (1979)
A weary football player limps down the tunnel, a kid offers him a Coke, and Joe Greene tosses him his jersey in return. It’s pure sports-movie magic, packed into 60 seconds. It’s been spoofed by everything from The Simpsons to Family Guy, and still brings a tear to nostalgic eyes. But again—people often forget it was Coke behind this feel-good moment.
It humanized athletes in a way few ads had done before. Joe Greene’s smile made the brand feel emotionally warm and approachable. But many fans associate it more with football or kindness than with soda. It became a universal story of gratitude—less about the product, more about the heart.
12. “Time to Make the Donuts” from Dunkin’ Donuts (1981)
Fred the Baker became an unlikely icon with his sleepy-eyed catchphrase: “Time to make the donuts.” The ad ran for years, showing him trudging to work in the wee hours, dedicated and dutiful. People loved him—he was every hardworking American who just wanted to do a good job. But the brand connection faded for some as Fred became more beloved than the donuts.
The campaign helped solidify Dunkin’s identity as a morning ritual. Fred appeared in dozens of spots before finally retiring in 1997. Still, many fans remember him without linking him back to Dunkin’ itself. He was a character who eclipsed the company that created him.
13. “I Am Not a Chicken” by Foster Farms (1990s)
This quirky ad featured rubbery, costumed “imposter” chickens trying to pass as real poultry. Their antics were silly, desperate, and weirdly relatable. The humor stuck, especially on the West Coast where these ads were most common. But ask people what brand was behind them, and you’ll likely get a shrug.
Foster Farms ran the campaign to promote the freshness of their local, cage-free chickens. The imposter characters were the opposite of what they were selling—and that contrast made it memorable. But the comedy overtook the messaging for many viewers. Years later, the image of a talking fake chicken is far clearer than the company it clucked for.
This post 13 Commercials That Shaped a Generation—Even If No One Remembers the Product was first published on American Charm.
