Tim Richards
Because I am 65, I remember things my younger readers cannot. I thought it might be interesting to see if you are familiar with these old advertising slogans from the last century. Some are easy, while others are not. See how many of the following jingles can you match to the company or product listed below:
1. ___ “You deserve a break today.”
2. ___ “The best part of waking up.”
3. ___ “Take Me Away.”
4. ___ “I don’t wanna grow up.”
5. ___ “Sometimes you feel like a nut.”
6. ___ “Mmm mmm good”
7. ___ “Reach out and touch someone.”
8. ___ “Quality is Job 1”
9. ___ “I’d like to teach the world to sing…”
10. ___ “Life’s simple pleasures are the best.”
11. ___ Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and…”
12. ___ “Where’s the beef?”
A. Almond Joy
B. Toys R Us
C. Folgers
D. McDonald’s
E. Van Camp’s Pork and Beans
F. Calgon
G. Ford
H. Coca Cola
I. Wendy’s
J. Campbell’s Soup
K. Chevrolet
L. AT&T.
Answers are given at the end of this column.
Even if these ads were on the air before you were born, you are probably familiar with some of them. Each persuaded customers to purchase products, and each was eventually retired. As far as I know, the oldest advertising jingle still used today is the “Betcha can’t eat just one” campaign Frito-Lay began using in 1963.
Reflecting on advertising led me to consider the focus of the Christian faith and how the message of God’s love has been spread. While some Christian organizations have run advertisements over the decades, it is not the typical way Christianity spreads. I am not suggesting those organizations are doing it the wrong way or are wasting their money, but the message of God’s love most often spreads from one person to another, or through books, columns, and sermons.
It is all but impossible to capture the true meaning of Christianity in a 30-second sound-byte. However, Jesus came close when he gave us the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV)
Though this verse has helped millions find their way to God, its primary purpose is not to advertise the Christian faith, but to let each of us know God loves us and has made a way for you and me to have eternal life through his Son, Jesus.
The answers to the advertising slogans above are in this order:
1- D, 2- C, 3- F, 4- B, 5- A, 6- J, 7- L, 8- G, 9- H, 10- E, 11- K, 12- I.
