Print Ad Examples & Ideas From The 1960’s Advertisements

In the early years of the 1960s, the Americans were comfortably wrapped in post-war complacency, not even suspecting the huge changes their country would go through in the coming decade. The nation’s innocence was shattered by the assassination of its promising young president, a growing racial divide,  and escalating military action in Southeast Asia. It was like a new era began; a new youth culture emerged as more and more teenagers rebelled against the conventions of the previous generation. This was new America, and fashion, sexuality, communal living, drug use, draft dodging, and sit-ins were all elements of an increasing Generation Gap. Let’s take a plunge into 1960s advertisements and print ad examples and see how the industry has evolved over the years.

1960s Concert Posters

Led Zeppelin Print Ad from the 1960s

Jimi Hendrix Poster 1969

Iconic figures such as Bob Dylan, Muhammad Ali, Jimi Hendrix, and Andy Warhol brought controversy and color to this tumultuous decade. In contrast, cultural events such as The Graduate, Stonewall March, and The Monterey Pop Festival provided indelible images of a bellwether time in American society. Whether it was Beatlemania, bumper-stickers, or bell-bottoms, the cultural contributions of the ’60s made it obvious that the times were certainly changing. The above iconic 1960s print ads for bands were what was hip at that time.

Bob Dylan – Univ. of Mass. Concert Poster – 1964

In the 1960s, print advertising came to life. There were some big changes: art directors dropped line drawings, which were common in the 50s, and started using photographs. Photographs were considered more believable by people, and copywriters and art directors were becoming much more inventive in getting their messages across.

In the ’60s, advertising transformed into a more modern approach in which creativity shined, creating unexpected messages that made the ads more appealing to the public’s eye. Let’s take, for example, the Volkswagen ad campaign, which featured headlines like “Think Small” or “Lemon” (used to describe the appearance of an automobile); this campaign ushered in the era of modern advertising by promoting a “unique selling proposition” or “position,” designed to associate each brand with a certain idea in the viewer’s mind.

This American advertising period was called the Creative Revolution, and it had William Bernbach as an archetype, the man who helped create the revolutionary Volkswagen adverts, among others. Needless to say, some of the most creative and ageless American ads date from this period.

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Examples 1960’s Advertisements For Food & Beverages

Campbell’s Golden Mushroom Soup Collectible (1967)

As with most of the food ads from the 1960s, this soup doesn’t really look so tasty. Notice the specific red-colored type and the format of the ad: image at the top and text/description at the bottom of the print.

LifeSaver’s Five Flavor Assortment of Candy (1962)

This is a very colorful print ad, and it couldn’t be otherwise because it’s for fruity candy with five flavors.

Jell-o Just Picked Fruit Taste (1968)

The type of treatment seems to jump in your eyes, right? Actually, your view focuses on the black text and afterwords on the image below. The text in the middle of the page is hardly noticeable.

1960’s Kellogg’s Corn Flakes

Again, another print ad from Kellogg’s has lots of red on the background and the type of treatment of the brand.

Coke Santa and Terrier (1961)

Now, how can you deny that Coke had something to do with the “invention” of Santa? Just notice how the Coca-Cola logo has slightly changed since then.

Seven Up (1963)

This looks like a watercolor version of ads from the 1960s, and, as you can see, it has a large image on 3/4 of the print and copy at the bottom. Notice the label of the 7Up bottle. It’s so simple in graphics.

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1960s Alcohol Ads Example

Chivas Regal’s Blended Scotch Whisky (1963)

We just love the bottle, the label, and the Chivas box! It screams elegance and royalty. Notice the grungy background of the print.

Campari Aperitif Wine Space Bottle Rocket Art (1963)

In this Campari ad, the main idea was to correlate the text with the image – “it’s just out of this world!”

Cinzano Vermouth ad from 1960

I very much like the watercolor drawings on the background of this Cinzano print ad.

Cigarettes/Tobacco 1960’s Advertisements

Winston – Bob Peak (1968)

This print ad from Winston combines the painted images with the cigarette pack in an artistic versus realistic sort of way.

Marlboro Cigarette Cowboy Horse (1969)

This is an all-time favorite Marlboro ad. If anyone saw this photo without the cigarette pack, they would certainly think of Marlboro.

Winston (1966)

I personally find the bright yellow a little disturbing, but that’s just the way the print ads in those times used to combine colors like yellow, red, and green.

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Beauty Print Ad Examples

1967 Max Factor Magazine Advertisement – “California Pink-A-Pades”

This example of 60s advertisements for Max Factor’s Pink-a-Pades looks very childish to me; maybe it’s because of all the pink and yellow. But I guess it serves its purpose, to accentuate the idea of  “pink.” Notice how graphics are combined with photos and the shades on the type.

Channel No.22 Lady Flowers Perfume 60’s (1965)

A simple print ad for a famous perfume. It’s created based on a beautiful photo and black and gray type.

Dana Pullman Mens Cologne Train Photo (1967)

The type on this ad looks like one from the circus, but let’s admit that it is very bold for those days. The fragrance bottle looks roughly added to the image, doesn’t it?

Avon Print Ad (1962)

Wow, I didn’t even know that Avon went so way back! Again, we can see the red text on the ad and on the products.

Max Factor Ultralucen (1969)

They tried to create a glow effect on this picture, but I guess their resources were limited. See how the large type is outlined and looks transparent.

QT Suntan Lotion Ad 1960s

I don’t think it’s ok to use underline in the title, but hey, it’s the ’60s. Anything is possible!

1969 Magazine Advertisement – “The Can Bag” from Campbell’s Soup

The large type on the upper side of the print ad and the font used are specific to this period. I just love the type of Campbell’s logo.

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1960s Movie Posters Examples

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Lots of types in a variation of brown colors in this example of 60s advertisements, so Western, right?

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable Molly Brown Movie (1964)

This print ad has such a playful design! I love the type of treatment of the title, the colors, and the illustrations.

Winning (Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Robert Wagner) (1969)

Wow, check out this bright red! It certainly catches your eye! I like the sketchy look of this print in this example of 60s advertisements. It looks like it’s out of a comic book.

“Hercules Unchained” (Steve Reeves) (1960)

This is really an outcome! Check out the 3d lettering and the cool illustration in this example of ads from the 1960s!

Royal Winnipeg Ballet Photos Trade (1961)

I’ve run across a bunch of ballet posters in 1960s advertisements, and they were all very monochrome.

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Industrial 1960s Print Ad Examples From The 1960s

1964 Monroe Typing Machine Magazine Advertisement

I think this is the brightest red I’ve ever seen! I just can’t take my eyes off this lady’s coat. I can’t deny the poster is both business and stylish.

1960’s Advertisements – Magazine Ad – Sony (USA)

They were so right! Sony has come a long way since then, but they are still at the top of the industry. This small television ad is so cute!

Which one of the 1960’s print ads & print ad examples is your favorite? Let us know!

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