The power of nostalgia in ads

Hi AdCollection friends 👋

Nostalgia in advertising is a trick as old as time. While the concept isn't new, giving nostalgia a fresh spin needs some skills!

This week, we’re spotlighting 3 ads that have tapped into the “good old days” and got great results. Check them out!

Hurom (made by inBeat)

Concept: Flex your age 👑 (+ authority)

Our feeds are flooded with sleek, modern, and minimalistic aesthetics that look and feel the same: marble countertops, pristine kitchen appliances, perfectly curated "mess".

So, our own creative team at inBeat went for something different with Hurom, opting for a retro static ad with a timeless and classic feel to grab your attention. 

And wow, did this old-school, black-and-white ad really stand out!

Why it works:

👉 Brand heritage — highlights Hurom's history as the Inventor of the Slow Juicer, positioning them as the true authority in the field.

👉 Nostalgia — the retro, black-and-white theme evokes a time when things were “simpler to use".

👉 Ditching the norm — breaks away from the clean, minimalist ads, making Hurom's message stand out in the noise.

Love what we did for Hurom? We can create something just as compelling for your brand. Book a call, and let’s make it happen!

Nuun (made by InBeat)

Concept: Play on familiarity and fun🤹

We've all seen how effective those Post-Its and MS Paint-style (ugly) ads can be – they work because familiarity brings comfort. Nostalgia doubles down on that feeling, reminding people of a simpler time.

So, here's how we used familiarity as a hook and dazzled with some summer playfulness to deliver a top-performing ad for Nunn.

Why it works:

📌 TikTok response bubble as hook ➥ grabs attention instantly

📌 Summer cliff-diving footage ➥ playful and fun to watch

📌 “Like I'm 5” message ➥ sets the expectation of an easy-to-follow message.

All these, packed into a snappy 14-second video with clear value propositions 😙🤌

Olipop

Does this ad remind you of something? That's right—by using iconic colors, sounds, and shots reminiscent of classic Coca-Cola ads, this new ad from Olipop piggybacks on the powerful nostalgia the soft drink giant has created over decades.

We like how they put a new spin on it: instead of copying the old formula, they reimagined it to meet modern, healthier needs.

Now, how can YOU leverage this strategy for your brand?

• Use familiar elements to create an immediate association. 

• Playing on nostalgia makes the ad more memorable and impactful.

• Use labels like “old-fashioned", "classic”, and "vintage” as they suggest quality, subconsciously transferring trust from established brands to yours.

Want to create some smashing performance creative ads? Don’t hesitate to book a call with us!