With consumers becoming increasingly impatient with ad techniques, marketers are looking beyond simplistic aesthetics to capture viewer attention, turning to such methods as retro cartoon marketing to create a nostalgic link that consumers can relate to.
Offering consumers a blast from the past in the form of iconic cartoon characters, these nostalgic marketing campaigns allows viewers to connect with a more youthful period of their life, adding a more sentimental approach to the overall ad. Seeking to attract both children and adults who have a soft spot for fun and eclectic imagery, these retro cartoon marketing campaigns will certainly attract those who desire more than just simple product placement.
From iconic pet character ads to cartooned color campaigns, these nostalgic marketing techniques will definitely make an impression with its use of retro imagery.
17 Retro Cartoon Marketing Techniques
From Cartooned Color Campaigns to Comic-Inspired Brake Ads:
Tana Makmanee — Apr 11, 2014 — Marketing
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Concerned Retro Cartoon Ads
James Voon Depicts Distressed Characters for Fictional Food Promo
16
Kid-Friendly Retro Ads
The Museum of Childhood Campaign Reads 'Playing is Learning'
15
Iconic Pet Character Ads
The HKAAC Animal Adoption Centre Campaign Encourages Experiences
14
Very Vivid Graphic Design
Brazil's BlackMagenta Uses Bright Colors, Animated Characters to Create
13
Impatient Caricature Ads
The Cartoon Network Animation Academy Campaign Promotes an Opportunity
12
Novel Life-Changing Ads
The Arrebato Libros Campaign Morphs People into Book Characters
11
Cartooned Color Campaigns
Comex Paint Creatively Proves They Can Match Any Hue
10
Literary Snoozing Ads
BBDO's Dr Gav Mattresses Ad Features the Book 'Around the World in 80 Days'
9
Unexpected Baby Animal Ads
The Personal Lubricant Aleolub Campaign is Dubiously Adorable
8
Eco Cartoons
‘Let's Know It Better' PSA Makes Global Warming a Childhood Friend
7
Bright Bubblegum Campaigns
The Mentos Gum Ads are Fun, Funky and Easy to Swallow
6
Athletic Cavemen Campaigns
Delantero's Mega Gym Ads Promote Fitness with Prehistoric Cartoons
5
Superhero Toilet Paper Campaigns
The Toilet Paper Ad Showing the Charmin Bear as Thor Will Delight
4
Literal Loop Ride Ads
This Hopi Hari Theme Park Campaign is Conceptually Confronting
3
Humorously Cynical Cartoon Ads
The Dumb Ways to Die Gloomy Cartoon Ads is Sure to Produce Laughs
2
Comic-Inspired Brake Ads
This Promotion for Volkswagen City Emergency Brake Uses Comic Violence
1
Height-Humored Supplement Ads
Ovaltine 'Sucks to Be Short' Shows Why Being Tall is Advantageous
Related Ideas
Batman-Themed Kitchen Appliances
Paul Parsons Creates Themed Kitchen Appliance Concepts
Nostalgic Winter Intimates Campaigns
SKIMS' Holiday Campaign Was Inspired by Vintage Magazines
Nostalgic Neon Rollerskates
The Impala x Barbie Rollerskates Match the Style in the Barbie Movie
AI-Generative Chocolate Campaigns
KitKat Takes a Break and Taps Marketing Advice from AI
AI-Driven Dreamy Fashion Campaigns
ETRO's Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Uses Artificial Intelligence
Pastry-Inspired Sweaters
Pop-Tarts' Pop-Tartigan Sweaters Help Gen Z Channel "Grandmacore"
Cat-Inspired Camera Collections
Hello Kitty's Strawberry Kawaii Collection is Nostalgic and Fresh
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
Freshly Rebranded Frozen Drinks
Slurpee's Bold New Identity and Mascot Speak to Gen Z
Soda-Branded Fashion Capsules
The Forever 21 x Coca-Cola Collection Exudes a Timeless Allure
Cartoon-Themed Apparel Collections
This 'Teletubbies' Apparel Collection is 90s and Y2K-Inspired
Retro Sporty Luxe Accessories
adidas Presents a New Series of Nostalgic Retro Accessories
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
Boomer Cannabis Campaigns
The 'I'm High Right Now' Campaign Promotes Cannabis Use Among Boomers
Next-Gen Graphic Attire
Serenity Trends’ Graphic Clothing Offers a Futuristic Aesthetic
Sporty Fashion Spring Campaigns
adidas Originals Introduces the 1000 Back Campaign
Color-In Photo Cameras
The 'Potto' Toy Camera Concept Encourages Kids to Color in Prints
Retro Vibrant Furniture Series
IKEA Unveils the Nytillverkad Collection Nodding to its Past
Refreshed Colorful Candy Brands
Elmwood Reinvents the New Skittles Branding Update
Tech-Infused Analog Radios
Mark Choi Blends Retro Aesthetics and Modern Technology with i Ready O
80s-Inspired Pet-Friendly Cereals
BARK Presents the Snack Pack of Colorful Cereal Boxes
Illustrative 420 Campaigns
Vizie Unveils His Latest Work for Grassroots' 420 Campaign
Cat-Themed Soda Cans
Pepsi Cat Cans Commemorate the Growing Number of Cat Owners in China
Nostalgic Cartoon Sneaker Designs
The Powerpuff Girls Nike Dunks Will Be Highly Anticipated
Retro-Style Pop-Up Camper Vans
The Citroën Type Holidays Brings a Concept Vehicle to Production
Retro Cartoon-Inspired Clogs
The Jetsons are Highlighted in the Latest Pair of Crocs
Pop Art Beer Branding
Budweiser and Sir Peter Blake Collaborated on a New Can
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Anime-Inspired Restaurant Campaigns
McDonald’s Unveils an Anime & Manga Series Called 'WcDonald’s'
AI-Generated Soup Can Art
The Campbell’s 'pAIntings' Initiative is Inspired by Artistic Greats
Heated QSR Anniversary Campaigns
Burger King Brazil Celebrates Milestone with a New Campaign
Fast Food-Inspired Beachy Campaigns
Leo Burnett Italia Unveils a New Summery McDonald's Campaign
Cartoon-Themed High-Top Sneakers
RETRO Clothing Creates Homer Simpson’s ASSASSIN Sneakers
AI-Generated QR Codes
Coca-Cola Created Enhanced QR Codes with Musical & Visual Elements
Comic Strip Milk Bottles
Seki Milk Created Artful Bottle Designs to Encourage Dairy Consumption
Vintage-Inspired Pet Cereals
BARK Launches a Collection of Dog Treats Inspired By Vintage Cereals
Fake Ketchup Campaigns
This Heinz Campaign Exposes "Ketchup Fraud"
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Naughty Holiday Campaigns
Diesel's XXXMas is Inspired by Erotic 90s Aesthetics
Provocative AR Campaigns
NotCo's 'Not So Happy Animals' Presents Food Logos in a New Light
Gen Alpha Marketing Campaigns
Claire's is Targeting TikTok Growth for its Latest Ads Spending
Cinematic Fashion Campaigns
Norse Projects Partners with Mikkel Karstad for Its New Campaign
AI-Created Burger Ads
Burger King Had ChatGPT Generate a Poster to Clap Back at a Competitor
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Cartoon Characters-Themed Apparel
The Hundreds and Warner Bros. Launch New Celebratory Collection
Connected Gamer Campaigns
Heineken's Just Another Night Out Shatters Anti-Social Stereotypes
Suggestive Spread Campaigns
The Marmite First Timers Campaign Targets Gen Z
Springtime Holiday Cereal Branding
Lucky Charms Limited-Edition Packaging is Here for Spring
Retro Breakfast Pasty Packaging
Pop-Tarts Throwback Packs Pay Homage to 1960s Branding
Soda Logo Rebranding Campaigns
Pepsi's New Logo Goes Across the Globe with a Bright Light Show
Mixed-Reality Cola Billboards
This 3D Coca-Cola Billboard Dispenses Real, Cold Drinks
Channel-Switching Commercials
This Tubi Super Bowl Ad Tricked Millions of Sports Viewers
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
Cartoon Underdog Soda Campaigns
Tractor Beverage Company Launches a Moving New Campaign
Retro Cartoon Capsules
Boxlunch Celebrates Strawberry Shortcake’s 45th Anniversary with Collection
AI-Powered QSR Campaigns
allplants Leverages AI To Transforms Fast-Food Ads
Smile-Reflecting Toothpaste Campaigns
Colgate & Oglivy Create the #FreeYourSmile campaign
Pastel-Hued Energy Drink Packaging
The Rockstar Energy Rebranding Has Enhanced Graphics and More
E-Commerce Advertising Solutions
Reddit is Enhancing its Reach with the New Dynamic Product Ads
Illusory Yogurt Billboards
Müller Yogurt is Relaunching a 90s Favorite with a Gen Z Twist
Cartoon-Themed Kitchen Products
The Yoshinoya at Home Campaign Features Sanrio Characters
Anniversary-Honoring Vintage Drinkware
Starbucks and Disney Join Forces on a New Collection
Confetti-Filled Snacking Commercials
Frito-Lay Launches the Taste of Super Bowl Campaign
Wild Granny Campaigns
Liquid Death's 'Your Grandma’s Energy Drink' Stars Daring Old Women
Traveling Fine Art Campaigns
EasyJet's Get Out There Features Mona Lisa, The Thinker and More
Retro Appliance Baby Monitors
The Conceptual SMEG Baby Monitor by Priyanshu Maiti is Cutesy
Lively Soda Rebrands
Fanta Confirms a New "Bold and Bright" Rebrand Backed by Coca-Cola Design
Heritage-Honoring Artful Posters
Herman Miller Adds to the Archival Poster Collection
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
70s-Style Cat Snack Ads
Temptations' Creamy Purrrr-ée Treats Star in a Nostalgic Holiday Ad
Reinvigorated Cognac Campaigns
Larsen Cognac Challenges Traditional Images & Outdated Views
Retro-Tinged Beer-Branded Apparel
Coors Joins Huckberry to Launch a Capsule of Apparel
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Nostalgic Television Channels
PBS Retro is a Vintage Television Channel Remembering the Past
Character Graphic Collaborative Apparel
UNIQLO Presents an Adorable Hello Kitty Capsule
Nostalgic Flavor Campaigns
Knorr Introduces the Taste of Home Campaign
Adorable Holiday Campaigns
Burberry's Holiday Campaign Spotlights Dogs and Ducklings
Cartoon-Inspired Pizza Merchandise
Disney Launches the New Pizza-Themed Disney Eats Collection
Comic-Inspired Soda Cans
Marvel and Coca-Cola Join on the Heroes Captivating Can Designs
Next-Generation Soda Branding
The New Pepsi Logo Showcases a Bold Typeface and Elevated Aesthetics
Rebranded Offbeat Sodas
Dr Pepper's New Cans and New Campaign Embrace Weirdness
Gen X Candy Campaigns
Klondike's Bar-cade Campaign Engages Gen X Consumers
Playful Gen Z Bubble Tea Campaigns
Krak Boba Launches Innovative PersonaliTEA Campaign
Nostalgic Fragrance Campaigns
Impulse & Frankie Bridge Faithfully Recreated Iconic 90s Looks
Retro Family Photoshoots
Blue Bunny is Inviting Families to Pop-Up 90s-Themed Photoshoots
Affordable Back-to-School Campaigns
Staples Canada Embraces the Theme of '90s Throwback Pricing
Sustainable QSR Litter Adverts
McDonald's Malta Presents New Captivating Eco-Centric Campaigns
Ketchup Obsession Campaigns
'It Has to Be Heinz' Spotlights Fans' Intense Love of Heinz Products
Legacy Chocolate Brand Packaging
The Cadbury 200th Anniversary is Being Marked with Retro Branding
Tongue-In-Cheek Soda Campaigns
Pepsi Jokes at Coca-Cola in It's Tastes Better Campaign
Old-Fashioned Cartoon Cereal Tins
This Mickey Mouse-Themed Collector’s Metal Tin is Collectible
Candid Celebration Campaigns
Edible's "There's an edible for That" Celebrates Even Awkward Moments
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Interactive Toothpaste Packaging
Bluemarlin Created the Designs for the Colgate Toothpaste Packs
Rolling Paper Apparel Collections
The Zig-Zag Vintage Collection Pays Homage to the Brand's Legacy
Pop Art-Inspired Bright Furniture
Henri Judin's New Furniture Series Unveiled at SaloneSatellite
Celebrity-Backed Bag Campaigns
Coach Debuts the ‘In My Tabby’ Campaign with Celebrity Inspiration
Sandwich-Inspired 70s Decor
The Retro Schlotzsky's Sandwich Studio Line Honors an Iconic Menu Item
Conversational Campaign Creators
Creating Google Ads Campaigns is Simpler with AI Chat Features
Senior-Focused Meal Kit Campaigns
Parsley Box is Emphasizing its Value to the Stay-at-Home Family
Colorful Vivid Small Automobiles
Fiat Presents a New Colorful Update Transforming its Grey Cars
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Miniature Collectible Campaigns
The World’s Smallest Lines are the Focus of Influencer Marketing
Empowering Car Ads
CarMax's New Ad Campaign Takes a Witty Approach
QSR Food-Inspired Door Designs
McDonald's France Launches a New Digital Campaign of Door Visuals
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Irreverent Ethical Soap Campaigns
Pure Rush Soap's New Ad is a Fresh Take on Sustainable Branding
Novela-Inspired Liqueur Ads
Kahlúa's Spots Bring Excitement to Everyday Occasions
Video Game Refreshment Campaigns
The Suntory x Super Mario Campaign is Playful
Revived Archival Logos
Burberry's New Campaign Features an Archive-Inspired Logo
Employee-Designed Milk Cartons
EveryDay Milk Shares Artwork by the Town and Country Markets Team
Flame-Grilled Billboards
This Fiery Billboard Promotes the Flame Grilled Whopper-Flavored Doritos
Vibrant Retro Transport Campaigns
VCCP Creates Public Transport Safety Campaigns for the TFL
Eco-Friendly Denim Dyes
Panther Denim Introduces the 'Retro Dye' for Sustainable, Colored Denim
Vacation Rental Campaigns
Airbnb Debuts an Animated Ad That Celebrates Booking a Place to Yourself
Hilarious Fandom Cheese Campaigns
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Launches First-Ever Paid Ad Campaign
Gen Z Advertising Tools
YouTube Launches a New Music Tool to Connect Advertisers with Gen Z
Private Social Photo Apps
The 'Retro' App Focuses on Mindful Sharing with Select Others
Personalized Grocery Billboard Campaigns
Tesco Ireland Gets a New Live-Prompt Campaign
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Retro Phone-Inspired Label Makers
102 Design Lab Presents the Vintage Phone Labeling Machine
Homage-Paying 90s Fashion
Carne Bollente Celebrates Its Journey as a Brand with 90s Sensibilities
Nostalgic Coffee Shop Apparel
A Nostalgic Merch Collection is Coming to Tim Hortons' TimShop.ca
Review-Based Marketing Campaigns
These Amazon Campaigns Bring Real Reviews To Life
Transparent Healthcare Campaigns
Kaiser Permanente Aims to Support the Modern Aging Consumer
Bar Cart Mascots
Tito's New Ad Series Features an Anthropomorphic Bar Cart with Mixology Skills
Happiness-Prioritizing QSR Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Launches the 'Adult Unlearn' Summer Campaign
Nostalgic School Supplies
The Staples Pep Rally Collection Features 90s-Inspired Accessories
Cartoon-Inspired Sneaker Collections
Puma Launches Spongebob Squarepants-Themed Sneaker Collection
Energetic Filtered Water Campaigns
Brita's Taste Over Everything Campaign is Youthful & Optimistic
Comforting Oat Bar Ads
Humanaut Launches a Campaign for Bobo's, Highlighting Home-Baked Taste
Subtle Marketing Pop-Ups
FOMO Nudge Encourages Users to Buy with Subtle Pop-Ups
Grocery Store Ad Spots
Morrisons, the UK Supermarket Chain, Celebrates Its Low Pricing in This Ad
Retro Ashtray Sets
Bogart's Little Orange Ashtray Set is Cute and Eye-catching
Boomer-Focused Voter Advertisements
Perth Creatives Launch the New Groom-a-Boomer Voting Campaign
Parent-Focused TV Campaigns
NatureFresh's TV Campaign Explores How Active Parenting Benefits Kids
Presidential Note Campaigns
Joe Biden Launches a New Boomer-Focused Campaign Using the Notes App
Generative AI Beverage Ads
The Coca‑Cola® Masterpiece Campaign Leverages AI to Create Visual Magic