The Best Radio Ads of the 1970s

Radio advertising has been an integral part of our lives for decades. 

From jingles that we can never forget, to memorable taglines that define a brand; the power of radio advertising has left an indelible mark on our conscience. 

In this article

1. The Golden Age of Radio Advertising
2. The Impact of 1970s Radio Ads on Pop Culture
3. The Evolution of Radio Advertising Techniques
4. Top Radio Ads of the 1970s
5. Coca-Cola’s ‘I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke’
6. McDonald’s ‘You Deserve a Break Today’
7. Alka-Seltzer’s ‘Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz’
8. Life Cereal’s ‘Mikey Likes It’
9. Dr. Pepper’s ‘Be a Pepper’
10. 7UP’s ‘The Uncola’
11. Oscar Mayer’s ‘My Bologna Has a First Name’
12. Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum’s ‘Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun’
13. The Creative Minds Behind the Ads
14. Famous Ad Agencies of the 1970s
15. Wrap Up

The 1970s, in particular, was a golden era of radio advertising. The sheer creativity and innovation that ad agencies demonstrated during this period were nothing short of brilliant. 

Let’s take a step back in time and revisit the best radio ads of the 1970s.

The Golden Age of Radio Advertising

The 1970s marked a significant turning point in the history of radio advertising. Advertisers began to realize that radio ads had the potential to reach a wider audience than ever before. As a result, they invested heavily in creating ads that were not only entertaining but also memorable.

One of the most memorable radio ads of the 1970s was the Alka-Seltzer ad featuring the tagline “plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is.” The ad was so popular that it was later turned into a song that reached the Top 40 charts.

The Impact of 1970s Radio Ads on Pop Culture

The impact of radio ads on pop culture cannot be overstated. 

The jingles and taglines of the 1970s became a part of our lexicon. They were so catchy that they became a part of our daily lives. From singing ‘I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing’ to humming ‘My Bologna Has a First Name’, 1970s radio ads were an essential part of our growing up years, for children of the ‘70s.

In addition to catchy jingles, radio ads of the 1970s also featured memorable characters. The Mr. Clean character, for example, was introduced in a radio ad in 1958 but became popular in the 1970s with his clean-cut image and catchy jingle.

The Evolution of Radio Advertising Techniques

The 1970s also saw a significant evolution in radio advertising techniques. 

Advertisers realized they had to do more than just create catchy jingles to capture the imagination of the audience. They began to experiment with different formats and styles of advertising. From humorous spots to emotional ads, the 1970s had it all.

Overall, the 1970s were a golden age for radio advertising. Advertisers pushed the boundaries of creativity and created ads that not only sold products but also became a part of our cultural history.

Top Radio Ads of the 1970s

Let’s take a look at the top 10 radio ads of the 1970s. These ads were not only creative but also had a lasting impact on pop culture. The 1970s was a time of significant change in the world, and these radio ads captured the spirit of the times:

Coca-Cola’s ‘I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke’

Coca-Cola’s ‘I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke’ was an iconic radio ad that captured the imagination of millions of people across the world. The ad featured a group of people from different cultures coming together to sing a song about peace, love, and harmony. The catchy tune and the message of unity struck a chord with listeners, making it one of the most memorable radio ads of all time.

The ad was part of Coca-Cola’s ‘It’s the Real Thing’ campaign, which ran from 1969 to 1975. The campaign was a huge success and helped to solidify Coca-Cola’s position as the world’s most popular soft drink. 

McDonald’s ‘You Deserve a Break Today’

McDonald’s ‘You Deserve a Break Today’ was another radio ad that became an instant hit. The catchy jingle and the message of taking a break resonated with people across the world. The ad campaign was so successful that it became the defining tagline of the McDonald’s brand for years to come.

The ad was part of McDonald’s ‘Quality, Service, Cleanliness, and Value’ campaign, which ran from 1971 to 1975. The campaign was a huge success and helped to establish McDonald’s as the world’s leading fast-food chain. 

Alka-Seltzer’s ‘Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz’

Alka-Seltzer’s ‘Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz’ was a humorous spot that captured the attention of audiences across the world. The jingle, which featured the sound of two Alka-Seltzer tablets being dropped into water, was catchy and memorable. The ad campaign was so successful that it continued to run for decades, making it one of the most recognizable radio ads of all time.

The ad was part of Alka-Seltzer’s ‘Relief in Action’ campaign from 1970 to 1976. The campaign showed everyone why Alka-Seltzer was the world’s leading antacid brand. 

Life Cereal’s ‘Mikey Likes It’

Life Cereal’s ‘Mikey Likes It’ was a humorous spot that captured the imagination of audiences across the world. The ad featured a young boy named Mikey who was famously known for not liking anything. But when he tried Life Cereal, he loved it. 

The ad was part of Life Cereal’s ‘He Likes It! Hey Mikey!’ campaign, which ran from 1972 to 1986. 

Dr. Pepper’s ‘Be a Pepper’

Dr. Pepper’s ‘Be a Pepper’ was a radio ad that featured a catchy tune and a message of individuality. The ad campaign was so successful that it became the defining tagline of the Dr. Pepper brand for years to come. 

The ad was part of Dr. Pepper’s ‘The Most Original Soft Drink Ever’ campaign, which ran from 1977 to 1982. This campaign helped Dr. Pepper become one of the world’s leading non-cola soft drink brands. 

7UP’s ‘The Uncola’

7UP’s ‘The Uncola’ was a radio ad that featured a catchy tune and a message of freshness. The ad campaign was so successful that it became the defining tagline of the 7UP brand for years to come.

The ad was part of 7UP’s ‘The Un in 7UP’ campaign, which ran from 1969 to 1975. 

Oscar Mayer’s ‘My Bologna Has a First Name’

Oscar Mayer’s ‘My Bologna Has a First Name’ was a radio ad that captured the imagination of audiences across the world. The jingle, which featured a young boy singing the name of the brand’s Bologna product, was catchy and memorable. 

The ad was part of Oscar Mayer’s ‘The Bologna Song’ campaign, which ran from 1963 to 2010. 

Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum’s ‘Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun’

Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum’s ‘Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun’ was a radio ad that featured a catchy jingle and a message of enjoyment. 

The ad was part of Wrigley’s ‘Double Your Pleasure’ campaign, which ran from 1959 to 1986. 

The Creative Minds Behind the Ads

Famous Ad Agencies of the 1970s

The 1970s were a period of great creativity in the world of advertising. Some of the most famous ad agencies of the time included Doyle Dane Bernbach, McCann Erickson, and Leo Burnett. These agencies were responsible for creating some of the most memorable radio ads of the decade.

Wrap Up

The creativity and innovation that ad agencies demonstrated during this period were remarkable. 

The top 10 most memorable radio ads of the decade will always hold a special place in our hearts. From creating catchy jingles to emotional spots, the 1970s left an indelible mark on the world of radio advertising, making it an era to be remembered forever.