Saturday, April 19, 2014

On the streets of Ukraine

Bruce Willis selling loans?

Khrushchev and Nixon selling soda?

If you pinch yourself and don't wake up, then you're probably in Ukraine!

"When I need money, I just take it." Bruce Willis ad for Trast Bank.
Pepsi hit Ukraine hard the other summer with a throwback advertising campaign. See the rest of the ads here. Also, this picture is the real deal; Nixon did get Khrushchev to sample some Pepsi back in 1959 and, according to a NY Times article, "Pepsi-Cola [was] the first capitalist product to be sold in the U.S.S.R."


And while you're in town, don't forget to take a look at what else is out there-

Public Service Announcements:

"Seatbelts would save 80% of lives." Sadly a woulda-coulda-shoulda kind of issue, as many cars don't have working seatbelts.
"Dad... vaccinations protect me."
"Be civilized! Don't litter! Keep our city clean."


The bizarre:
"Our Kyiv, our choice!" "Let's free Kyiv together!" On the streets of Kyiv, 2013.


For women:
Ladies- your choices of panties include "I'm quiet, I'm a good cook, and I don't have a headache" and "I'm the 8th wonder of the world".

"How to improve her mood? Give her a dress from Seam."
"Dresses that create good moods." I totally agree- retail therapy is highly effective :p


For men:
Recruitment ad for the Ukrainian armed forces, circa 2012. Financial compensation from 3000 to 4000 uah monthly (in 2012 figures, $400-$500 USD a month).


For the hungry:
Left: "Want to eat?" Right: "Want to cook?" As you can probably guessed, the man's hand is pointing to a café, the woman's hand points to a small shop.

Sign on a local restaurant: "You bring the booze, we've got the food!"


For the hopeful:
"Dream #37: Score the decisive goal in Euro2024." "Don't be afraid to dream!"


Readers: if you have a picture of a cool ad or sign from your corner of the planet, please share it with us on Facebook!

7 comments:

  1. That underwear is the most ridiculous thing I've seen in a while! Where did you find that?

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    1. :p In one of the underground kiosks near the metro. Same thing goes for the guys- some of their boxers have really funny sayings on them too.

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  2. We had that Bruce Willis commercial all over Russia, too! I liked to imagine that he has no idea about it, and some guy in Eastern Europe just stole that picture and popped it on a billboard!

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    1. Yes, that's probably the case. And that's what I think every time I see Angelina Jolie in advertisements for second hand clothing shops. Was she popular in Moscow ads too?

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  3. Replies
    1. Someone who really wanted to get your attention. It worked, didn't it? ; )

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  4. I'm starting to notice that the trend in Ukraine seems to be the use of vintage filters on their billboard ads. Although, I do have to say that throwback campaign is very smart, as it aligns itself with the current trend in social media, which is Throwback Thursdays. :D

    Dionne Taylor @ Polka Dot PR

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