Ballyhoo

Ballyhoo

It is often very hard to come up with a catchy phrase that offends no one, reflects your company’s core competencies and drives growth and sales. Very few brands have been largely successful doing this and no brand has been largely successful without this. This list contains the best ballyhoo that has helped companies become who they are currently and what we can learn from them.

APPLE: “Think Different”

First featured in Apple’s ‘Here’s to the crazy ones’ advertisement, this short and emotive slogan showed the world that they were not just another computer company and made themselves into a brand to be reckoned with.


WHAT WE CAN LEARN: What you think of doesn’t need to be a witty rhyme or a twist of words. It can be two simple words that we use every day that leave an impact on your company’s standing forever.

SKITTLES: “Taste the Rainbow”

I could not think of a slogan better suited for a candy company such as skittles. It emphasises on their colourful chocolates and makes you eager to try every colour of the rainbow. Simple yet delightfully creative, this slogan definitely deserves a place on this list.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN: The main lesson from their slogan is appealing to the target audience. These words catch the eye of every child deep in their magical world and of the child inside every adult, wanting to reminisce their memories.

DE BEERS: “A Diamond is Forever”

This slogan is considered by many as an all time best. Why? This slogan helped pioneer the diamond industry and made diamonds an essential on every engagement ring. These words made diamonds a symbol for eternal love and drove sales through the roof.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN: A simple metaphor to highlight the importance of your product can go a long way, especially if you are tapping on untouched spaces.

NIKE: “JUST DO IT”

These words resonate in each one of us and drive us to take action. Nike was initially meant as a brand for athletes only but this slogan helped this brand to reach the common man and gave it a special meaning to all of us.


WHAT WE CAN LEARN: Sometimes it’s not the target audience that chooses the tagline but the tagline that helps choose the target audience.

MCDONALDS: “I’m lovin’ it.”

Who hasn’t heard this slogan? Simple and effective, it has become like a second name to McDonalds. It appeals to everyone and gives McDonalds a wide reach and distinct recognition.


WHAT WE CAN LEARN: Simplicity. I know this has been mentioned before but that is what has made these words so popular. Sometimes the first words that come to your mind when you look at your product can make for an amazing slogan.

CARLSBERG: “Probably the best beer in the world”

Their self-declared optimum makes one curious to taste this best beer in the world. They give the consumer a choice while amusingly conveying that they “probably” won’t find any better.


WHAT WE CAN LEARN: Let your tagline reflect on your brand’s personality and the sales will come flocking towards you.

KIT KAT: “Have a Break, Have a Kit Kat”

This slogan has stood the test of time. Coined in 1957, it is still going strong and with reason. It reflects on its product – fun and easy (to consume). These words appear everywhere and always further the good name that kit kat has built.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN: While a couplet or witty poem is not necessary, if you can come up with something memorable and timeless, don’t be afraid to roll with it.

AUDI: “Vorsprung durch Technik”

Roughly translating to “Advancement through Technology” this slogan is just what the brand is about. It promises its customers the best and the latest and has helped the brand build trust and brand loyalty across the globe.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN: Let your slogan reflect on your company’s core values and principles to build a loyal consumer base.

MAYBELLINE: “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline”

Maybelline recently changed their slogan to “Make IT Happen” to reflect modernity but the “Maybe it’s Maybelline” still rests ripe in our hearts. It put forth an image of the most stunning models using Maybelline to enhance their features and made the brand a crowd favourite.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN: A two-worded slogan is not always a necessity, especially if you can still keep it indelible and catchy using more words.

M&Ms: “Melts in your mouth not in your hand”

This ingenious slogan distinguishes itself from the rest of the chocolates by emphasising on its unique selling point. It makes us all want to buy into the convenience and devour this mess-free candy.



WHAT WE CAN LEARN: Ask yourself why someone should buy your product over your competitor’s and if you can explain the answer in a simple tagline, you have got yourself a success!


Some other worthy mentions:

General Electric: “Imagination at Work”

Subway: “Eat Fresh”
Empire State Development Services: “I Love NY”
Coca Cola: “It’s the Real Thing”
Adidas: “Impossible is Nothing”
Tesco: “Every Little Helps”
Red Bull: “It Gives You Wiiiings!”

The best way to draw inspiration for your tagline will be to look within your product and within yourself and KNOW what you are selling. Inspiration drawn from within will be truly creative and reflective of your product. Only a truly original tagline will say “We are here to stay” and build a distinct recognition.