5 Decades of Uniquely Canadian TV Ads

5 Decades of Uniquely Canadian TV Ads

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.

A&W - Meaty Frothy Juicy / Jingle - (1981) :30 (Canada)

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:

A&W - Meaty Frothy Juicy / Jingle - (1981) :30 (Canada)
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/aw-meaty-frothy-juicy-jingle-1981-30-canada/ 

Canadian Nuclear Association - "Where's Your Rain Coat?" (1991) :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.  

Canadian Nuclear Association - "Where's your rain coat?" (1991) :30 (Canada)
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/canadian-nuclear-association-wheres-your-rain-coat-1991-30-canada/ 

McDonald's - Beard - (2008) :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.

McDonald's - Beard - (2008) :30 (Canada)
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/mcdonalds-beard-2008-30-canada/ 

Molson Canadian - The Beer Fridge (2013) (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. 

Molson Canadian - The Beer Fridge (2013) (Canada)
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/molson-canadian-beer-fridge-2013-canada/ 

New Balance "Not in Canada Anymore" (2015) 1:25 (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. 

New Balance "Not in Canada Anymore" (2015) 1:25 (Canada)
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/new-balance-not-canada-anymore-2015-125-canada/


Canada Is Sorry (2019)

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.  

Canada is Sorry
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/canada-sorry/


Toys”R”Us Canada (2022)

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.

Toys’R’Us Canada is campaigning to bring back imaginary friends
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Watch It: https://adland.tv/toysrus-canada-campaigning-bring-back-imaginary-friends/

Thanks, Canada. 

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