60s ads honour Mad Men and brands

Rosie Baker is Marketing Week’s specialist on sustainability and retail.

Mad Men

The excitement over the new series of Mad Men launching this week on Sky Atlantic is palpable. Having been lucky enough to go to Sky’s preview screening of the first episode last night I can say that all the hype is justified.

After more than a year off the screens Mad Men is back in style. Great outfits, great creative and most importantly – great lines (none of which I will reveal to avoid being labelled a spoiler).

It was hard to escape the faces of Don, Joan, Roger and Betty in the weekend’s papers, fashion supplements and reviews, analysis and plot spoilers have been coming thick and fast since the episode was shown first in the US on Sunday (25 March).

Sky Atlantic’s decision to run of-the-era ads during the ad breaks as the season debuts with a double bill tonight (9pm Sky Atlantic) is not just cute but clever.

The brands that will appear include Cadbury’s Flake, Cadbury’s Milk Tray with the infamous Milk Tray Man, Tetley tea, Citroën, Nestle Nescafe, Kit Kat and Fairy Liquid.

Old KitKat

There will also be adverts from the US including American Airlines and Pringles.

Not only does it mean Sky Atlantic is providing an immersive viewing experience but it gives these brands an opportunity to air their classic TV ads from the 60s and remind consumers just how long they’ve been around.

There’s nothing as reassuring as a brand that can endure for 50 years or more. Plus, the brands get to associate with this year’s hottest TV event.

Tetley

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