Toronto Mike

Beer Ads From the 80s

memory

YouTube user WNED17 recently uploaded some fantastic retro-Toronto-centric gems.  These clips have brought back a tonne of memories for me, so I'm going to feature them one by one over the next few weeks.

In the 1980s, beer ads were different than they are today.  Today they're more likely to be humourous but back in the 80s they either promoted the "real men drink beer" image or exploited women by sticking them in bikinis at every opportunity.  I miss the 80s...

Here's a Labatt's Blue ad from 1986 that got plenty of airplay in Toronto.  I remember this "It's Time to Call For The Blue" jingle well.  Watching it again actually made this non-drinker crave a Blue.  It gets bonus points for including a shot of Exhibition Stadium.

A year later, Molson started airing this ad for Molson Ex.  Who will forget the "Ex Says It All" campaign? It really appeals to my blue collar sensibilities.

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