My Top 5 Valentine's Ads

So the big day is coming up… Love it or hate it Valentine’s day is fast approaching. It’s hard to ignore the big day with advertisers utilising the holiday to sell flowers, online dating and for the less loved up, cat – adoption services.

To mark this occasion, I’ve decided to talk about my favourite Valentine’s/ love ad campaigns. I’m a big softie at heart and love a good love story, here are my top 5:

1) Match.com, Accidental duet 2010

Ok so the first on my list comes from the dating website Match.com, their TV campaign feauturing two strangers and their ‘accidental duet’ is a simple concept but I haven’t been able to get this jingle out of my head for 9 years. The ability for an ad to stick in your mind, as this one has is an advertiser’s dream.

I’ve still yet to see the Godfather 3, but this ad left a lasting impression and momentarily made me believe Match.com is where you meet your soul mate.

Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z4aguu4Ex0&t=1s

2) Google, Parisian love 2010, Superbowl commercial

Another one from 2010, evidently this is a nostalgic year for me. This advert from google proved popular in terms of viewership numbers (helped by its Superbowl appearance). The concept is so simple yet so relevant nearly 10 years on. Google were able to use their own consumers habits to tell a story of love.

Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnsSUqgkDwU

3) John Lewis, Star-crossed lovers 2012

Slightly more recent contribution from the ad giants John Lewis (still a little dated though I’m sorry). As always, John Lewis kept their theme of story led advertising, only hinting at the intended message towards the end of the video. It’s no secret to anyone that knows me well, I love so many of the John Lewis campaigns, but this underrated 2012 ad has always been a personal favourite. The ad wasn’t exactly made for Valentine’s day but the sentiment of love creates nostalgia all year round.

Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2TewASSec0

4) Extra Gum, Sarah and Juan 2015

If you liked the star-crossed lovers John Lewis ad you’re bound to cry at the story of Sarah and Juan. The ad from Extra Gum follows a similar theme to John Lewis, following a couple through the early stages of dating. From a marketing perspective, Extra Gum took this one step further by really emphasising the role of their product in this relationship. Again It can be presumed this ad wanted audiences to feel nostalgic (worked on me clearly). I wonder what Sarah and Juan are up to 4 years on… An update video needed perhaps?

Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLpDiIVX0Wo&t=1s

5. Heinz, 'Geoff' 2017

Another video that wasn't exactly centred around Valentine's day (sorry)... But I can never resist an animation. The Heinz advertisers out did themselves with this one, another video that follows lovers through the ages and breaks your heart in the process. I have no recollection of this ad being played on English TV as i'm pretty sure it was aired in Australia so if you haven't seen it, now is the time.

Taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2cY_knkc8E

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