They say that the 90s were a golden age for commercials, creating memorable moments, catchy jingles, and iconic catchphrases that are still referenced today.
Before streaming services and ad-free viewing, these short spots were an unavoidable part of our daily TV experience, often becoming as popular as the shows themselves.
Got Milk?
This campaign, launched in 1993, became instantly iconic. The commercials often featured people in absurd situations where a vital item, like a peanut butter sandwich, couldn’t be enjoyed without milk. The frustrated delivery of the famous line, “Got milk?”, made it a pop culture phenomenon that resonated for years, boosting milk sales.
Budweiser “Wassup?”
Near the end of the decade, Budweiser dropped this unforgettable ad campaign. It featured friends simply calling each other and enthusiastically shouting “Wassup?!” in a stretched-out, distinctive way.
It exploded into a widespread greeting, spoofed everywhere from movies to talk shows, and remains one of the most recognizable ads of its time.
Mentos: The Freshmaker
These commercials were known for their cheesy yet charming scenarios where everyday problems were cleverly solved with the help of a Mentos candy. Someone’s button pops off? Mentos to the rescue! The “Freshmaker” jingle and the often cringeworthy but always memorable solutions made these ads a true 90s staple.
Coca-Cola Polar Bears
The 90s brought us the beloved Coca-Cola polar bears. These animated ads showed a family of polar bears enjoying Coke in frosty, often heartwarming, arctic settings. They became synonymous with the brand’s festive advertising, especially around the holidays, creating a cozy and universally appealing image.
Gushers: Heads Turn into Fruit
Fruit Gushers commercials were deliciously bizarre. They famously depicted kids’ heads literally transforming into giant pieces of fruit after eating the chewy snack, complete with squirting “gush” inside. This weird, wonderfully vivid imagery perfectly captured the fun and surprise of the candy, captivating kids everywhere.
“I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!” (LifeCall)
Although perhaps more reminiscent of the early 90s or late 80s, this LifeCall commercial’s urgent plea became an inescapable catchphrase. It showed an elderly woman on the floor, desperately calling for help from her medical alert device. The line was widely parodied but instilled a clear, albeit dramatic, message about emergency assistance.
Frogs, Lizards, and “Bud-Weis-Er” (Budweiser)
Before “Wassup?”, Budweiser also had the equally famous frogs named “Bud,” “Weis,” and “Er,” croaking their names in sequence. Later, two lizards, Frank and Louie, tried to scheme against the frogs. These simple, memorable creatures made for incredibly effective and humorous advertising, easily recognized by their distinct sounds.
AOL: “You’ve Got Mail!”
For many, this commercial represented the dawn of the accessible internet. Featuring the iconic voice announcing “You’ve got mail!” when someone logged onto America Online, it became the sound of connection and anticipation. It perfectly captured the excitement of early email and dial-up internet access for a generation.
The Power of Advertising
They remind us how advertising, before the age of streaming, was a shared cultural phenomenon that perfectly captured the spirit of the decade.