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Our ever-friendly neighbor to the north, Canada has been grabbing its fair share of the global headlines lately. Let’s take a second to appreciate the distinctive Canadian flavor of these TV ads from five different decades, courtesy of the AdLand archives.
When I was 10 years old, I ate my first-ever corndog nugget at an A&W in St. Louis, Mo. When I made my first trip to Toronto this year, I discovered this Canadian franchise has achieved Starbucks-level ubiquity on practically every street corner in the country. I’m pretty sure it can credit all its success to this 1980s jingle:
Watch It: https://adland.tv/aw-meaty-frothy-juicy-jingle-1981-30-canada/
Speaking of my childhood, remember when we were really concerned about acid rain in the '80s and '90s? Since no one ever mentions it anymore, I assume this ad from the Canadian Nuclear Association took care of the problem.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/canadian-nuclear-association-wheres-your-rain-coat-1991-30-canada/
You know you’re at a McDonald’s in Canada when you see the little red maple leaf on the company's golden arches logo. That, and the fact that they’re putting hockey trading cards in the Happy Meals.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/mcdonalds-beard-2008-30-canada/
These days, for various reasons, Canadians are extra proud to be Canadian. But this 2013 Molson ad is a good reminder that Canadian pride isn’t a new phenomenon.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/molson-canadian-beer-fridge-2013-canada/
Speaking of Canadian pride: If you’re an American visiting Canada these days, I’d avoid making any “51st state” jokes if you know what’s good for you. That said, a decade ago, New Balance garnered attention for its exclusive Canadian shoe line by giving a free pair to everyone in Canada—Canada, Kansas, that is.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/new-balance-not-canada-anymore-2015-125-canada/
Did you know that Canadian politeness is so ubiquitous that Ontario had to pass an “Apology Act” in 2009? From a legal perspective, the act indicates that apologies made by a person does not necessarily constitute an admission of guilt. With that in mind, the Canadian Bureau of Foreign Apologies in this 2019 ad seems only mildly satirical.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/canada-sorry/
When Toys”R”Us shut its doors in the U.S. in 2018, my then-7-year-old declared her childhood was over. You can imagine her delight when, on our first trip to Toronto, her 13-year-old self discovered that Toys”R”Us is alive and well—and committed to maintaining the health and wellbeing of our imaginary friends.
Watch It: https://adland.tv/toysrus-canada-campaigning-bring-back-imaginary-friends/
Thanks, Canada.
