22 Examples of Nostalgia Marketing that Make Customers Feel Good

Nostalgia trading is nan advertizing balanced of comfortableness food.

In a clip wherever astir trading focuses heavy connected nan future, nostalgic commercials and ads carrier america backmost to a simpler spot wherever our existent problems don't matter.

Instead of anticipating nan adjacent awesome thing, nostalgia trading urges america to attraction connected what we already cognize works.

To animate your campaigns, we selected 22 examples of nostalgia trading that play connected nan bittersweet pangs of days gone by.

The Power of Nostalgia Marketing

“When you play connected nostalgia, you’re bringing group backmost to a simpler time, and nan acquainted comfortableness that comes pinch a shared acquisition pinch your peers,” says Jones Krahl, Deloitte Digital’s co-head of imaginative marque and advertising, on pinch Milton Correa.

“While playing into nostalgia isn’t new, putting your ain rotation connected nostalgia has go progressively popular,” Correa adds.

We cognize astatine a gut level that nostalgia gives our lives a emotion of meaning and continuity, but you whitethorn beryllium amazed to study it tin besides make america looser pinch our wallets.

A study published successful nan Journal of Consumer Research recovered that nostalgic feelings made participants more consenting to walk money connected user equipment and services — making nostalgia trading a awesome win.

22 Examples of Nostalgic Ads

We rounded up immoderate nostalgic commercials that induce a fondness for a bygone clip by calling upon pop-culture elements of nan bully aged days.

Incorporating celebrated characters and scenes from nan past successful modern advertisements is simply a tried-and-true measurement to make affirmative feelings successful your target audience, making them much apt to unfastened their wallets.

1. Nintendo

Many children of nan ‘80s and ’90s retrieve playing Nintendo-based video games pinch their siblings. And galore group besides callback nan sad feelings related to increasing isolated aliases drifting distant from a relative.

This commercialized highlights some memories by telling nan communicative of 2 Nintendo-loving brothers who turn apart, reason arsenic teenagers, and past happily reunite arsenic adults to play nan caller Nintendo Switch together.

This nostalgic commercial not only reminds group of what it was for illustration to turn up pinch siblings, but it besides reminds you of nan awesome nosy you had playing video games arsenic a child.

Then, because nan brothers link and chat virtually arsenic they play Switch games astatine nan end, it shows really Nintendo's exertion has evolved to link aged friends and relatives worldwide.

2. Australia Tourism Board

Instead of promoting a accepted advertisement showing Australia's astir beautiful destinations, Australia disguised a tourism ad arsenic a star-studded trailer for a fictional reboot of nan '80s movie Crocodile Dundee.

As those who watched nan original Dundee bid get excited by clips from nan film, starring Chris Hemsworth and Jason Sudeikis, it‘s revealed that Hemsworth tricked Sudeikis into a tourism ad. Despite nan trickery, Hemsworth and Sudeikis work together that their travel to Australia was still nan champion picnic they’d ever taken.

This was a clever measurement to clasp nan tv and movie reboot inclination of 2018 and 2019 while still highlighting nan champion Australia has to connection for tourism. Because it features celebrated actors successful nan coming day, it's besides hilarious for some group who followed nan Dundee films aliases nan main characters successful nan clone reboot.

3. Spotify

In 2016, music-streaming work Spotify unveiled a caller spokesperson — er, spokes-dragon — successful a 30-second advertisement produced by Wieden + Kennedy New York.

Falkor and his boy companion Atreyu (now a heavy bearded 44-year-old man) are some characters from nan beloved 1984 imagination movie The NeverEnding Story.

W+K moreover sewage nan original actors to reprise their roles (Noah Hathaway arsenic Atreyu and Alan Oppenheimer arsenic nan sound of Falkor).

The brace look conscionable arsenic nan movie near them complete 20 years ago: gliding done nan clouds while nan movie‘s melodramatic taxable opus plays successful nan background. "I can’t judge group still perceive to this song!" Atreyu exclaims. His dragon agrees; they stock a laugh, and nan 2 velocity disconnected into a grainy, '80s-quality CG sky.

4. Freia

The tagline of Freia, a Norwegian cocoa company, is “Et lite stykke Norge” (A small portion of Norway). This spot for nan institution produced by SMFB Oslo afloat encapsulates nan sentiment successful a simple, joyful way.

The crippled follows a Norwegian expat successful New York navigating a hectic life arsenic a manner stylist. When he returns location to his flat 1 evening, he finds a half-eaten barroom of Freia cocoa successful his different quiet fridge.

After conscionable 1 bite, he's inspired to hop connected a level backmost to Norway to sojourn his begetter and soak up nan majestic scenery of his homeland. The advertisement ends pinch nan stylist discovering a humble hairsbreadth salon for waste successful what is presumably his hometown.

The connection is clear: A sensation of Freia cocoa is inherently connected to Norway, nary matter wherever successful nan world you whitethorn be.

5. Adobe

Bob Ross, nan beloved '80s coating guru who passed distant successful 1995, knowledgeable an unexpected resurgence successful fame successful 2016 aft Netflix added his classical TV show, The Joy of Painting, to its streaming lineup.

After his Netflix debut, Ross became a trending taxable connected Instagram, and Adobe took notice. They decided to salary homage to nan precocious creator successful a bid of tutorial videos promoting their caller Adobe Photoshop Sketch for nan iPad Pro.

Authenticity was cardinal to this nostalgic campaign. Adobe and agency Lekker Media collaborated pinch Bob Ross Inc. to make judge each item was accurate, moreover going arsenic acold to make judge it decently displayed nan clothing Ross wore connected his show.

Children‘s book illustrator Chad Cameron, who plays Ross successful nan series, perfectly channels nan artist’s relaxed, unpretentious demeanor.

“Bob's wish was to animate arsenic galore group arsenic imaginable to beryllium imaginative and to stock it pinch others,” Joan Kowalski, media head astatine Bob Ross Inc., told Adweek. “Adobe's 'Joy of Sketching' bid reminds america that a institution arsenic large arsenic Adobe shares successful that hope.”

6. Oikos

Although it primitively aired from 1987-1995, Full House has go a nostalgic puerility awesome for aggregate generations acknowledgment to syndication.

But earlier Netflix revived nan show pinch a 2016 reboot, Dannon reunited a fewer of nan show‘s stars successful an advertisement for Oikos, nan company’s statement of Greek yogurts.

John Stamos is joined by his erstwhile formed members Bob Saget and Dave Coulier successful this Y&R Vinizius-produced spot. The trio doesn't explicitly reprise their Full House roles, but nan move is undeniably reminiscent of their days connected nan sitcom.

7. Adidas

In 1973, Billie Jean King won a tennis match against antheral subordinate Bobby Riggs, coined “The Battle of nan Sexes.” The historical tennis crippled was nan first clip a female tennis subordinate was matched against a male.

In and earlier the precocious 1950s, men were seen arsenic superior athletes. Before nan tennis lucifer pinch King, who was only 25, moreover Riggs said he could hit a female astatine nan property of 55.

King's tennis lucifer triumph proved Riggs wrong. It besides proved that men and women could compete arsenic connected nan tennis section and successful different sports.

On a bigger scale, it further empowered women, who were often stereotyped arsenic wives, homemakers, aliases secretaries astatine nan time. With King's win, it became harder to disregard that gender stereotypes were mendacious and that women could triumph and moreover lead amongst men.

King wore an iconic brace of bluish Adidas tennis shoes during nan match. Years later, to observe nan 45th day of King‘s win, Adidas launched a constricted version statement of BJK shoes pinch nan tennis legend’s look and initials connected each pair.

To denote nan footwear line, Adidas launched a bid of elemental commercials showing Billie Jean King spray-painting piles of shoes blue. Here's an illustration of 1 of nan ads:

To further beforehand nan line, Adidas besides had booths astatine nan U.S. Open tennis match wherever fans could bring immoderate marque of shoes and person an creator overgarment them bluish pinch Adidas' unsocial BJK logo.

According to Adidas, nan wide run led to a 20% boost successful tennis footwear sales. And, now that nan run is over, group are auctioning disconnected these constricted version shoes connected eBay for upwards of $1,000.

8. Tesco

Nothing screams nostalgia for illustration aged location movies. In this extended vacation advertisement from British market concatenation Tesco, we watch a family turn and property complete nan years done nan lens of their Christmas location videos. Set to a poignant theme, nan advertisement is intended to operation up fond vacation memories for viewers.

“We wanted to show what a existent Christmas is each astir — not a perfect, airbrushed 1 — but nan ones we admit from our ain lives,” David Wood, erstwhile trading head astatine Tesco, told Adweek. The advertisement was produced by Wieden + Kennedy, London.

9. Microsoft

Although Microsoft's Internet Explorer is nary more, this 2013 spot for nan web browser earned viral recognition and a Webby Award nomination.

“You mightiness not retrieve us,” nan ad‘s narrator begins, "but we met successful nan ’90s." The commercialized highlights each things '90s — fanny packs, Tamagotchi, vessel haircuts — moreover nan Oregon Trail PC game makes an appearance.

Column Five Media, nan imaginative agency down nan ad, group retired to create a nostalgia-driven viral advertisement that would reintroduce Internet Explorer to '90s kids.

“The thought of a marque for illustration Internet Explorer being forward-thinking capable to make specified a story-focused, Gen Y-centered commercialized was beautiful newsworthy,” nan agency wrote successful a behind-the-scenes blog post.

“Focusing that communicative connected '90s nostalgia, which we knew was celebrated pinch Gen Y and not yet afloat realized successful video form, is what made [the ad] shareworthy.”

10. Chili's

Chili's ads are usually characterized by close-up shots of glistening hamburgers, sizzling bacon, and gallic fries still glowing pinch fryer oil.

So this 2016 advertisement produced by Boston-based agency Hill Holliday was a departure from nan casual eating chain's emblematic go-to formula.

The commercialized depicts Chili‘s root communicative done a bid of retro vignettes. We spot nan laid-back founders playing ringing toss, lounging connected nan hood of their car, and, of course, flipping classical Chili’s burgers successful their first restaurant.

The advertisement taps into traditional Americana — a shape of nostalgia for small-town American life, middle-class values, and vicinity restaurants.

11. Apple

Apple regularly features celebrities successful their advertising, but they made a throwback casting determination for this iPhone 6s nostalgic commercial.

Everyone's favourite sweet-toothed Muppet, Cookie Monster, mightiness have switched to a much balanced diet, but he appears whipping up a batch of his favourite cocoa spot cookies successful this ad.

TBWA/Media Arts Lab is nan agency down nan ad, and they moreover released a series of “bloopers” featuring nan beloved puerility character.

12. Target

The nostalgic unit is beardown successful this Target video promoting Star Wars: The Force Awakens merchandise.

As portion of a much extended run to promote fans to stock their Star Wars memories online, Deutsch LA produced this two-minute compilation of Star Wars fans' location videos.

In nan nostalgic commercial, young fans dressed arsenic small Princess Leias, Luke Skywalkers, and Han Solos brandish lightsabers and springiness their champion Chewbacca impressions, each while nan classical Star Wars taxable plays successful nan background.

The consequence is an endearing run that will resonate pinch longtime fans and caller converts alike.

13. Bacardi

For its 150th day successful 2012, Bacardi released a bid of people and tv ads showcasing nan brand's party-starting heritage.

The travel down representation lane was intended to springiness nan institution a changeable of authenticity, reminding consumers that Bacardi has stood nan trial of time.

The goal, according to Leo Premutico, co-founder of WPP agency Johannes Leonardo, nan agency down nan ad, was “to picture a infinitesimal successful clip that lives successful history” and connection “an oculus to what’s next, an breathtaking future.”

14. McDonald's

When McDonald's removed antibiotics and artificial preservatives from their chickenhearted successful 2016, they wanted an advertisement run that informed consumers astir these changes and tapped into nostalgia surrounding their celebrated nuggets.

“There's an undeniable level of nostalgia tied to nan McDonald's marque and its food,” Britt Nolan, Leo Burnett USA's Chief Creative Officer, told Adweek.

“We group retired to seizure that narration successful a sincere, elemental measurement that today's parents tin subordinate to and consciousness bully astir sharing pinch their ain kids.”

15. Uber Eats

To support section restaurants and build hype astir their product, Uber Eats turned to beloved section entree show hosts and rockers Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar for their Super Bowl 2021 spot.

The move duo from nan 1992 classical Wayne’s World appealed to nostalgic millennial audiences while besides nodding to nan coming pinch a Tik-Tok-dancing Cardi B cameo. While nan Cardi B cameo is self-awarely shameless, it illustrates a valuable strategy of leveraging nostalgia while acknowledging modernity.

Limited Re-Releases of Nostalgic Products

Some products are truthful classical that nan specified mention drums a swell of warm, fuzzy nostalgic bliss. Think Tamagotchi and Beanie Babies for 90s kids aliases Cabbage Patch Dolls from nan 80s.

Companies fortunate capable to people a deed merchandise backmost successful nan time person capitalized connected it successful nan coming by offering constricted re-releases of those beloved past items.

Here are a fewer examples of constricted re-releases of nostalgic products.

16. Crystal Pepsi

Pepsi released Crystal Pepsi successful 1992. Despite a less-than-stellar reception and resulting discontinuation successful 1994, Pepsi’s quirky, clear soda remains a lukewarm and comforting representation for galore who yearn for simpler times.

Pepsi ran a constricted rerelease of nan portion successful 2022 to observe nan 30th day of its grounded yet nostalgic beverage.

However, Crystal Pepsi was ne'er disposable for purchase. Nostalgia fans entered a societal media title and utilized branded hashtags to show disconnected their favourite 90s photos, pinch winners receiving 20 bottles of nan storied soda.

In addition, Pepsi precocious unveiled its first rebrand since 2008, complete pinch a caller logo and ocular personality that pays homage to vintage Pepsi branding of nan 70s and 80s.

17. Motorola Razr

In nan early 2000s, earlier smartphones, 1 of Motorola's most celebrated compartment phones was a tiny, level flip telephone called nan Razr. Despite its number-based keyboard and a mini screen, group loved it for its design and simplicity.

In 2019, Motorola gained buzz erstwhile it re-introduced a caller and improved Razr featuring a folding touchscreen.

In nan commercialized announcement, you spot an old-school Razr lifting disconnected a array and flying done nan aerial arsenic its aged layers peel disconnected to uncover a caller design. The telephone past opens to uncover nan Android-like touch screen.

Partnering pinch Nostalgic Brands

Your marque whitethorn not person been astir backmost successful nan time — and that’s okay! However, that doesn’t mean you can’t tie connected nostalgia successful your trading efforts.

Partnering pinch a classical marque is simply a win-win script that draws nostalgia fans toward a caller merchandise and reinvigorates consciousness of nan older brand.

Here are a fewer examples of modern companies partnering pinch nostalgic brands to supercharge their trading efforts.

18. Hotels.com x Lisa Frank

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Hotels.com collaborated pinch Lisa Frank and Barsala to connection a pop-up flat that fulfills nan nostalgic fantasies of ‘90s kids who loved their rainbow-clad notebooks and unicorn pencil pouches.

“We wanted to creation a room that celebrates each things '90s, and thing screams puerility nostalgia much than these iconic designs,” shared Adam Jay, President of Hotels.com.

The room was exclusively bookable connected Hotels.com for a short clip successful 2019 and proved to beryllium a successful illustration of nostalgia marketing, particularly arsenic it appeals to millennial audiences.

The hyper-stimulating and nostalgic creation generated tons of property and moreover much Instagram hype from happy guests basking successful nan warmth of puerility wonder.

19. JNCOs x Goldfish

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Jalapeno poppers were large successful nan ‘90s, and truthful were ultra-wide-leg jeans. So, it was only earthy for Goldfish to partner pinch JNCO for a limited version brace of nostalgia-inducing jeans to beforehand their caller jalapeno popper-flavored snack.

Brand partnerships are a awesome measurement to marketplace caller products and scope wider audiences. If your business tin evoke sentimental emotions successful a circumstantial audience, that’s a look for success.

20. AirBnb x Blockbuster

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Few 90s memories are arsenic ineffable arsenic wandering into Blockbuster connected a Friday evening and being greeted pinch a labyrinth of movie titles and games to take from — possibly moreover immoderate candy astatine journey’s end.

Sadly, only a azygous Blockbuster remains successful Bend, OR. However, AirBnb collaborated pinch nan lone video rental store to connection a 90s-themed acquisition to Blockbuster lovers looking to relive their nostalgic memories successful nan shape of an overnight stay.

The sentimental enactment was only disposable for 3 nights successful September 2020, pinch proceeds going to charity. With constricted readiness and a beardown nostalgic hook, this business garnered important buzz for some brands.

Nostalgia successful Design

Nostalgia successful advertizing tin beryllium much subtle than partnering pinch classical brands aliases featuring nostalgic pop-culture icons successful advertisements.

Some brands invoke fond memories wrong consumers done nan creation of products that motion to nan style and aesthetics of a clip erstwhile things were conscionable a spot simpler.

21. Levi’s

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Baggy jeans are back, and Levi’s is driving nan resurgence of nan 90s clothing artistic successful their design. Their Instagram page is replete pinch vintage tinted filters and models who look for illustration they stepped disconnected nan group of Dawson’s Creek.

They moreover connection a special statement of 90s version 501 jeans that telephone upon nostalgia successful sanction and design, pinch their loose-fitting, mid-rise vibe that provides a blast from nan past for lovers of each things 90s.

Levi’s leans into nan storied history of their marque successful their advertizing and merchandise design, which elicit affirmative feelings of nan past successful their customers. If you tin make your customers consciousness good, they’ll surely want to buy.

22. Heinz’s Ketchup

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There’s comfortableness successful consistency, and fewer brands admit that much than Heinz.

The image supra shows an original Heinz Ketchup vessel from 1890, which doesn’t look each that different from nan existent Heinz designs.

If you person an iconic logo, it mightiness beryllium your champion stake to instrumentality pinch it. Classic designs connection feelings of information and spot successful consumers, resulting successful marque loyalty and sales.

Of course, we can’t each beryllium stewards of iconic brands. However, leaning into nostalgia done nan creation of your products is simply a powerful measurement to garner affirmative feelings toward your brand.

How to Nail Nostalgia

The cardinal to nailing nostalgia is knowing what motivates your audiences, really they were raised, and wherever their deepest interests lie.

To do this, investigation aliases create purchaser personas that grew up successful definite generations to study what makes them think.

Editor's Note: This blog station was primitively published successful September 2016, but was updated for comprehensiveness and freshness successful February 2020.