8 Genius Magazine ads or Print Ads For Next Ad Campaign Inspiration

You might be surprised if I say that print advertising is still A-game for many brands out there. Yes, considering today’s world revolves around everything digital, it makes you wonder if people still adore printed stuff like magazines, newspapers, and books. The short answer is yes, and it is still in demand. Digital marketing sadly can’t take over everything, and brands utilize magazine ads to create unique and lasting impressions.

In this article, we will be looking into:

• Understanding magazine and print ads: Here, we will learn about print advertising, how it impacts readers, and increases brand awareness.
• 8 Genius magazine ads to inspire your next ad campaign: I have picked the top 8 iconic magazine ads that are an inspiration and a valuable example for new generations of ad makers.
• Personal tips: Some personal tips that I’ve gathered to help you make your next print campaign the best one.

The print and publishing sector is a huge market and is expected to grow in the coming years. So, if you’re planning to invest in print ads, it’s a big yes from my side for new brands. In this article, I’ve covered magazine ads and iconic print ads that you can check out to get inspired for your next ad campaign and make it big.

What is Magazine Ads or Print Ads?

Magazine ads or print ads are advertisements that are published in printer materials like newspapers, brochures, magazines, or others. Advertisements are a way to promote your brand, service, or product so that more people get to know about it. This is a mass media as it can reach people and increase your overall brand presence.

Magazine ads are typically found in magazines that are published periodically, like weekly or monthly. Magazines focus on different types of niches, such as fashion, lifestyle, health, wellness, and more. So, brands try to promote their services and products to reach a specific target group the magazine caters to.

If you’re planning to categorize print ads, there are different types:

✅Display ads: Like the name suggests, they are large printed ads found in magazines and newspapers, typically taking up a whole space or full page. Display ads stand as a top choice for brands. This is placed in high-traffic sections of the publication and attracts readers in a second because of its visually rich, vibrant look. You can see display ads of mcdonald’s and nike’s in subway stations, magazine covers or even big billboards.

✅Advertorials: These are special ads that are a unique blend of editorial content and ads. They try to resemble the usual editorial style of the publication to subtly promote products or services by providing valuable info to the readers. Adding a custom QR Code can enhance these ads, guiding readers to interactive content or product pages, offering a seamless way to explore the brand further.

✅Classified ads: They are short, small, and focus on text. These ads have a specific dedicated place in printed materials called the classified section. They are commonly used to promote local services like goods sales, job listings, local shops, etc.

How to Make Iconic Print Campaigns For Magazines

Did you know that magazine ads are trusted by 82% of customers when making a purchase decision? Also, I can’t stress more about the importance of print collateral or print advertisement. People still engage with print in a more meaningful way, and they trust print ads because of their connection to trusted, authentic printed publications.

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To create iconic magazine ad ideas, you have to keep several factors in mind:

✅Visually Rich with Images: You should make sure your magazine ads are vibrant and interesting enough to make readers focus on the page and the ad. The imagery or illustration should get them hooked and catch their eye within a second.

✅Powerful Message: The message should be powerful and meaningful for the readers. It should make your audience stop what they’re doing and look at your ad for a second. It should also be short, concise, and impactful, conveying what you’re trying to promote. For example, if you hear the catchphrase “finger licking good,” you immediately recognize it, don’t you?

✅Elements: Every design has specific elements, like your logo, to promote your brand identity, other elements that are part of your branding package, like the exact font that represents you, and colors that represent your brand. It should be well put together.

✅Story: The graphics must display a good grasp of design aesthetics by placing all the elements in balance. Lines, colors, typography, and all other elements should work together to form a cohesive story for the readers. There’s a reason why rules of design are important: the final product should not be full of chaos, but every element should evoke an emotional response and give out a strong concept based story.

Iconic and Genius Magazine Ads for Print Campaign

If you’re wondering how to make the most out of a magazine ad, there is no need to worry. I’ve gone through dozens of genius print ad examples, especially the magazine ones, to curate the top eight magazine advertisements you can look at to get inspired. 

1. Volkswagen Ad Campaign

Volkswagen wanted to boost awareness of its optional features, like the precision parking assist feature. So they created this beautifully stunning visual ad in a magazine that’s unique. At first, you see goldfish, but the imagery highlights the importance of parallel parking with the presence of a porcupine, if done incorrectly, it could puncture the fish bag and harm the fish. This unexpected visual definitely caught my attention. The emotional messaging is on point, and it subtly shows just how precise parking is with Volkswagen without explicitly saying so.

2. Marmite – Print Ad

Marmite is a staple in the breakfast routine of UK consumers. It’s a vegan spread with a “love it or hate it” reputation, and the branding team has cleverly leaned into this debate. They used the tagline “love it, hate it, just don’t forget it” for a full-page campaign. This sparked conversations among families and ironically hints at brand memorability, even acknowledging that people may sometimes have negative opinions. So, if you’re looking for ways to make your brand stay forever in consumers’ minds, you can use strong copy to create a lasting connection like how Marmite did here.

3. Nivea Night Ad

Beauty brand Nivea has a loyal customer base. So, they can take a subtle approach in their ad tactics, as we see in this simple yet effective visual ad for Nivea Night. The opening image of Night Cream appears as a silhouette of a moon or a waxing moon in Nivea’s midnight blue. That’s it. The whole ad reflects brand consistency through font, color, storytelling visuals, and logo. The visual metaphor is simple and effective for readers on various levels. So, try focusing on storytelling while balancing your brand’s visual elements for a cohesive, streamlined ad.

4. Heinz – Hot Ketchup Print Ad

Heinz has dominated the print advertising space since 1869. Their latest ad showcases the product’s intensity by depicting an eye-catching French fry like a cigarette, with the “hot” ketchup beside it. This clever, wordless storytelling shows their strength without needing any copy. Impressive, right? The simple ad design tells the entire story, inspiring you to try an ad that uses minimal words and focuses on impactful imagery and illustration. When creating your magazine advertising campaign in 2024,  you should stick to your brand niche and value while also giving it an overall minimalist design approach.

5. Keloptic Specs

The optical firm had a fun way to showcase its service in this iconic print ad. When you’re looking at this ad, you see a famous Van Gogh painting in the picture, blurred in color, and the specs instantly make it clear. These iconic expressionist paintings are turned into hyperrealistic high-quality images with the help of eyeglasses. I really like how witty and unique their thought process was and how they made it work with a smile on the viewer’s face. So, creating clever visuals with minimal copy always works for a brand and can make a memorable ad. If you ever ask me again which one is my favorite print ad, I’d definitely pick this one.

6. Pedigree

The Pedigree ad here showcases the graphic designer’s skills, but more than that, it’s the visual storytelling behind the whole ad. Pedigree is for pets, and it highlights the people who miss their pets. The concise message of this print advertisement is that it evokes feeling and emotions and reaches the right demographic. It’s a powerful visual emphasizing the difference it makes when your dog isn’t around. There’s nothing worse than missing your pet.  They’ve emphasized the whole story with the logo in the top corner, making it an ad that reaches the right target audience.

7. Pepsi

Pepsi is a top brand, and I know what you’re thinking: Pepsi can do well without a print ad. But this shows that even successful brands still depend on classic ads to promote new products and take a jab at the competition. During Halloween, Pepsi playfully ran a campaign to showcase itself as the real “superhero” with a dig at Coca-Cola. The ad shows a Pepsi can with a red cape resembling their competitor’s color and font but spelled “Cola Coca,” perhaps to avoid copyright issues. I loved this jab! Pepsi’s “We Wish You a Scary Halloween” was a standout way to fuel the competition, a memorable ad that still draw attention. Make sure you use humor in your ad campaign as it can meticulously push people to talk about your brand, but don’t try to pull down another brand in your ad, alright?

8. The Economist Print Campaign

The Economist’s iconic white-on-red ad campaign is considered one of the most iconic advertisements in the world. Since they focus more on editorials, they emphasize the copy, drawing readers’ attention. With the instantly recognizable red-and-white logo and message, this print ad works effectively. You might wonder if it was successful: well, the creative director of this campaign has spoken about how this led to a 65% increase in circulation and a 95% uptick in their subscriptions, meaning they effectively reached the right audience with this ad. It quickly became a powerful message that reached the people who depend on The Economist!

Personal Opinion

I think print ads still make up a significant part of the market, and you don’t have to worry about investing in them as a loss. Magazines, especially, have a nostalgic value associated with them; flipping through pages and feeling the texture of the paper on your fingertips creates a deeper connection to the brand, making it more personal. So, if you already have well-designed, artistic ads, they can leave a lasting impact on readers’ minds. It increases brand recognition and pushes your brand name into the mind of your audience. I feel that more than online digital ads, magazine ads can be more targeted and reach the right audience.

The work behind the design plays an essential role in print ads, so I’d suggest connecting with the right graphic designers or opting for unlimited graphic design at Graphically with an affordable monthly subscription. At Graphically, we understand your needs and can help you craft a magazine ad that resonates and attracts new readers and customers. Connect with us today, and get your design tomorrow.

Conclusion

Print ads in magazines can be expensive, but they are worth it. Make sure you have a proper design that resonates with readers; the image in your ad should evoke emotions, communicate your values, and tell a story that connects with the audience. All elements should work together to create a harmonious balance that captivates your readers before they flip the page. I hope these top examples of magazine ads inspire you to design your next one. If you need help creating impressive magazine ads, look no further; sign up for Graphically and get your design needs met at an affordable monthly rate. Happy designing!

FAQs

1. Does magazine advertising still work?

Yes, people definitely still read magazines! In fact, many individuals who enjoy online content also appreciate reading print magazines. These readers can be some of your most valuable customers. While social media advertising may have a broader reach, print magazines are often more effective at targeting the right audience. Additionally, print advertising tends to provide a better return on investment (ROI).