1. “The Burger King ‘King'” – Burger King
In the ’90s, the Burger King “King” was an unsettling mascot with a creepy plastic head that would surprise people, often in the middle of their daily routines. His over-the-top antics and bizarre behavior made people uncomfortable then, and in today’s world, the mascot could easily be seen as bizarre and potentially off-putting to viewers, especially in the context of the increasing focus on mental health and anxiety.
1. “Joe Camel” – Camel Cigarettes
Ah, Joe Camel—the mascot for Camel cigarettes. While the ad campaign was originally targeted at adults, it quickly became apparent that Joe Camel was popular with a younger audience. The character’s charm and cool factor led many to believe the brand was marketing directly to kids, which was one of the main reasons why Joe Camel was eventually banned. With today’s stricter regulations around tobacco advertising, this commercial wouldn’t have a chance to air.
3. “Chester Cheetah” – Cheetos
Chester Cheetah was a cool, rebellious character who liked to taunt the audience in the ’90s ads for Cheetos. Some of the humor in these commercials involved a bit of destructive behavior, such as making a mess or getting into trouble, which could easily be seen as promoting bad behavior today. With a greater emphasis on positive role models for kids, this kind of “cool” attitude wouldn’t resonate as well in 2024.
4. “Calvin Klein Obsession” – Calvin Klein
The Calvin Klein Obsession commercials were some of the most controversial ads of the 1990s. They featured ultra-skinny models, many of them underage-looking, in provocative poses, often paired with borderline sexually suggestive themes. In today’s world, with a stronger focus on body positivity, mental health, and appropriate representations of age, this ad would likely be considered irresponsible and potentially harmful.
5. “Babe Ruth & The Power of the Glass of Milk” – Got Milk?
While Got Milk? ads are fondly remembered, there’s one that stands out today as a bit too much. In a 1990s commercial featuring Babe Ruth, the idea that he’d “missed” out on milk for his entire career seems to send a confusing, somewhat misleading message. It implies that drinking milk was somehow the secret to achieving greatness, a health claim that might raise red flags now with today’s more stringent regulations on food advertising.
6. “Chanel No. 5” – Chanel
Chanel’s No. 5 ads from the 1990s were known for their high-art, abstract messaging, but one campaign featuring actress Nicole Kidman was a little too offbeat. With a mix of surrealist visuals and a somewhat suggestive narrative, the commercial seemed to objectify Kidman’s character in ways that could be interpreted as problematic today. The #MeToo movement has made advertisers much more cautious about how women are portrayed in ads.
7. “Pepsi’s ‘Choice of a New Generation'” – Pepsi
In the ’90s, Pepsi really played up the idea of rebellion and youth culture, with ads that were often flashy and over-the-top. The commercials featured models and celebrities trying to appeal to the “cool” factor, and sometimes the ads felt like they were pushing for an overly superficial lifestyle. Today’s marketing, especially with the rise of social media influencers, leans more into authentic, relatable content rather than blatant idealization of superficial youth culture.
8. “The Noid” – Domino’s Pizza
Remember the Noid, the little man in a red suit who seemed to ruin pizza deliveries for Domino’s? While the character was supposed to be a quirky villain, his antics wouldn’t fly today. The Noid, with his exaggerated, almost violent behavior, plays into a sense of chaos that could be seen as irresponsible or insensitive in an era where messages around mental health and empathy have become more prominent.
9. “Coca-Cola’s ‘New Coke'” – Coca-Cola
The infamous New Coke commercials from the mid-’90s showed Coke launching a reformulation of its classic drink—an idea that just didn’t sit well with consumers. Today, those same commercials might be perceived as a waste of resources. A company making a drastic change to a beloved product without anticipating customer reaction would not be so lightly taken, especially with the stronger role of social media to quickly amplify customer dissatisfaction.
10. “Marlboro Man” – Marlboro Cigarettes
The Marlboro Man, perhaps one of the most iconic characters in advertising history, would not be acceptable today. In the 1990s, the Marlboro Man was marketed as the embodiment of rugged masculinity, appealing to both men and women. However, with the growing awareness of the dangers of smoking and its links to cancer, such a campaign would now be considered irresponsible and downright dangerous.
11. “Silly Rabbit, Trix Are for Kids!” – Trix Cereal
While this line is a classic piece of nostalgia, the “Silly Rabbit, Trix Are for Kids!” campaign has a questionable premise today. The idea of a grown man trying to steal food from children could be viewed as predatory and inappropriate now, especially when we’re more sensitive to how children are portrayed in media. Plus, it promotes unhealthy eating habits that don’t line up with modern awareness about nutrition.
12. “The Uncola” – 7Up
The ’90s 7Up ad campaign, “The Uncola,” celebrated the soda as a fun alternative to cola drinks, often using quirky, offbeat humor. Today, the marketing of sugary sodas in any form is a bit more controversial, given growing concerns over childhood obesity and sugar consumption. While not offensive in a direct way, this type of advertising would face much more scrutiny in today’s health-conscious world.
