1. Ayds Diet Candy
In the pre-AIDS epidemic era, Ayds was marketed as an appetite suppressant candy. With slogans like “Ayds helps you take off weight and keep it off,” the name felt innocuous at the time. However, as the AIDS crisis unfolded, the unfortunate name association turned this once-popular product into an uncomfortable relic of the past.
The 1980s were a golden age for bold, flashy, and unforgettable advertising. From jingles we couldn’t stop singing to commercials that defined our Saturday mornings, these ads felt perfectly in tune with the era. But watching them today? Let’s just say they’d spark a very different reaction. Whether it’s outdated humor, questionable stereotypes, or just sheer over-the-top absurdity, these ads would raise eyebrows (and voices) in today’s more socially conscious world.
2. Joe Camel for Camel Cigarettes
You couldn’t miss Joe Camel, the “cool” anthropomorphic camel who became synonymous with Camel cigarettes. Back then, the slick shades and suave personality screamed 1980s cool. Today, critics would call this an obvious attempt to market smoking to kids, especially since Joe Camel’s cartoonish vibe looked more suited for a cereal box than an adult vice.
3. Calgon’s “Ancient Chinese Secret”
This infamous ad featured a Chinese-American laundromat owner revealing the secret to his detergent’s effectiveness was—wait for it—“an ancient Chinese secret.” While humorous to many in the 1980s, the stereotype-filled portrayal and cheesy exoticism would land the brand in hot water today for perpetuating clichés about Asian culture.
4. Pepsi’s “Choice of a New Generation” Featuring Michael Jackson
Pepsi’s 1984 campaign with Michael Jackson dazzled the world, but it came with pyrotechnics that caused Jackson severe burns during filming. While the ad itself was electric, safety concerns and allegations of exploitative marketing to youth would dominate discussions today. And let’s not even start on today’s polarized views of celebrity endorsements.
5. Folgers Coffee’s “Incestuous” Christmas Ad
This wholesome Christmas ad about a brother returning home became a holiday staple. But in retrospect, the ad’s overly warm chemistry between the siblings struck many modern viewers as, well, too warm. The line, “You’re my present this year,” would surely spark jokes (and think pieces) in today’s social media-driven world.
6. McDonald’s McDLT Featuring Jason Alexander
In the 1980s, McDonald’s launched the McDLT, a burger famously marketed for keeping the “hot side hot and the cool side cool” with its innovative packaging. The ad starred a young Jason Alexander—years before Seinfeld—singing and dancing in a flashy, over-the-top musical number. Back then, it was just another fun, cheesy fast-food commercial. Today, however, having Jason Alexander as the face of the campaign might not sit well with modern audiences due to his occasional offbeat public remarks and controversial opinions that have sparked debates online. The ad itself is harmless, but in today’s climate, brands often distance themselves from any figure whose reputation could polarize viewers.
7. Hardee’s “We’re Out to Win You Over” Campaign
This burger chain ran a series of ads that were blatantly sexist, featuring scantily clad women munching burgers in slow motion. In the 1980s, this was seen as edgy and fun. Now? The objectification alone would have social media in a frenzy and brands scrambling for damage control.
8. Hefty Trash Bags’ “Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy”
The Hefty ad played on a stereotype that certain trash bags—and by extension, certain men—were “wimpy.” While no one batted an eye at the time, today’s discussions on toxic masculinity and the shaming of “non-alpha” traits would bring this one under fire.
9. Budweiser’s “Spuds MacKenzie” Party Dog
Budweiser’s lovable mascot, Spuds MacKenzie, became an icon in the late ’80s, starring in a series of party-themed commercials. While Spuds was portrayed as the ultimate party animal, today’s scrutiny might focus on how the campaign blurred lines between alcohol marketing and appealing to children, thanks to the cute, fun-loving dog at its center.
10. Wendy’s “Russian Fashion Show”
This commercial poked fun at the Soviet Union with a stereotypical Russian fashion show featuring frumpy models in shapeless outfits. While it played up Cold War-era rivalries for laughs back then, modern global sensitivity and evolving perspectives on humor would make it a no-go today.
11. Diet Coke’s “Hunk” Campaign
Remember those commercials of a shirtless man chugging Diet Coke while women ogled him from afar? The 1980s called it cheeky fun. Today, it might spark debates about gender roles and objectification, flipping the script on what’s acceptable to portray in media.
12. Shake ‘n Bake’s “And I Helped!”
This ad starred children proudly helping make dinner with Shake ‘n Bake. Sounds innocent, right? But the portrayal of young girls only in domestic roles would fuel current conversations about outdated gender norms. While nostalgic, this would be considered tone-deaf in today’s push for gender equality.
The 1980s gave us iconic jingles, vibrant visuals, and larger-than-life personalities in advertising. Yet, times change, and many of these once-beloved classics now serve as reminders of how cultural norms evolve. Which of these do you remember most—and did you ever think they’d become so controversial?
