40 Creative Ads That Will Inspire You

Advertising is often very difficult, but fortunately there are many different strategies to creating the perfect ad. In the age of image-based social media and infographics, many businesses are focusing their ads around a single large image meant to draw viewers in. Others are taking a slightly modified approach to traditional advertising. Instead of telling consumers why they need a product, they’re showing them.

Some businesses are literally turning the world upside-down with their ads. These ads encourage people to reflect on the world around them, so it will stick with them long after they see it. Here are 40 of the most creative advertisements out there. Hopefully these will inspire you to launch your own perfect ad campaign.

1. Panasonic Nose Hair Trimmers

This ad literally thinks outside the box. It also uses natural city surroundings – telephone wires – and seamlessly incorporates them into the ad.

2. Colgate Floss

Many people don’t

floss everyday but they definitely will if they have food stuck in their teeth. Colgate uses this knowledge for their ad.

3. Frontline

This is an example of an interactive ad where the people around it actually become a part of it. The ad was on the lower floor of a shopping mall. From upper floors the people looked like fleas.

4. Adidas

Bigger isn’t always better but the size of this ad allows it to be seen from pretty far down the road. The ad, which appeared near the Munich airport, also shows that you don’t have to be confined to a traditional billboard with highway advertisements.

5. IKEA Assembly Service

This ad is big, bold and makes perfect sense when you see the URL. It shows just what can happen if you don’t use the company’s assembly services.

6. Heineken

Heineken uses a 3D Bilboard to make it look like there is a hand grabing for the bottle.

7. NHS Smokefree

NHS Smokefree is a U.K.-based organization dedicated to helping people quit smoking. It can be hard to design a creative anti-drug ad but the guy on a fishing hook in this ad definitely grabs your attention.

8. Garnier

The caption on this Swiss ad translates to “for any hair type.” You have to admit the optical illusion is pretty cool.

9. National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy in France

This ad cleverly draws readers in with bright red text and a bikini-clad model, but then it takes a serious turn.

10. Whiskas

Whiskas’ ad agency, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, took photo of George Logan and inserted an adorable picture of a running cat. It’s sure to appeal to animal lovers.