10 Best Print Ads of 2022
Whoever said print ads are dead, probably hasn’t been paying attention. According to a study by Gartner, 82% of consumers trust print ads the most when making purchasing decisions. From the advertisements that demand your attention in your favorite magazines to the ones designed for special occasions, like the Superbowl, print ads are still impactful and they can make an imprint on your memory – whether you realize it or not.
Here are some of my favorite ads from 2022 that are just too good to be forgotten.
10. Asics: Go on A Run
Asics’ Go For a Run advertisement literally puts the world at a runner’s feet. This ad works because it truly conveys the message of a comfortable sneaker, shown by the clouds above Hollywood, while also showcasing a thrilling running trail for its target consumer.
9. Burger King: Meat?
This plant-based advertisement from Burger King for its plant-based whopper is genius, yet self-explanatory. By zooming in on the texture of its burger, you may mistake it for meat at first glance. But in reality, it’s a medley of beets, peppers, and radicchio.
This advertisement works because it uses reverse psychology to appeal to its audience consisting primarily of meat lovers. Why would one question if a burger from one of the most well-known fast-food restaurants around the world is actually made of meat?
8. The World Wildlife Fund: Nature Doesn’t Need Tattoos
7. Velveeta: La Dolce Velveeta
6. Jeep: See Whatever You Want to See
Jeep’s Sew Whatever You Want to See print ad gave its viewers the power to see what they want to see in its minimalistic ink-blot ad. While some viewers may see a deer head, others see an upside-down bird.
5. Female Tribes: #FThePayGap
J. Walter Thompson created one of the most show-stopping ads of the year in its #FThePayGap campaign for its Female Tribes insight study. With an underlying message that brings attention to the gender wage gap, the company left some letters to the imagination as they crossed them out to leave you wondering if it’s an obscene message, or not. The word woman isn’t a bad word, and providing equal pay to women doesn’t sound like a bad idea either.
4. Gold’s Gym
Sometimes, transforming one letter can give a word an entirely new meaning. Just ask Gold’s Gym, who used the example of a man’s evolving body in their print ad. This ad works because it we witness the word “fat” turn into “fit” right before our very eyes.
3. Spotify: The Kiss
Spotify’s The Kiss print ad pays homage to the famous photograph that shares its name that was captured by Alfred Eisenstaedt. It is a playful rendition of love that portrays the magic that happens when two headphones become one. The brand created this 2022 advertisement for Valentine’s Day and paired it with the playful saying, “Love is in the ear.”
Did Spotify capture your attention with this one?
2. Durex: Happy Father’s Day
There’s no better way to show your product is superior to others in the market than with competitive advertising, which is a tactic a brand may use to differentiate itself from its competitors. Just ask Durex, who created this Father’s Day print advertisement that may subtly put doubt in a consumer’s mind that decided to go with a competitor, instead.
1. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Self-proclaimed “hot girl,” Megan Thee Stallion, is the star of this 2022 Superbowl ad for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This brand endorsement is the perfect match for Meg, who is wildly popular with a spicy personality, and a sizzling hot career to match. A brand endorsement occurs when a celebrity endorses a brand and acts as a spokeswoman/spokesman to build its awareness and reach its target audience.
Meg was also featured in a series of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos commercials with one of the more popular ones that featured her as a red songbird and a sample of Salt-N-Pepa’s iconic song, “Push It”.
These are some of the most memorable print ads I’ve seen all year. What are some of the best print ads you’ve seen in 2022?