Nostalgic TVCs That Made Us

Television commercials (TVCs)—those little snippets of storytelling magic—have a way of lodging themselves into our memories, sometimes even more than the shows they interrupt. From catchy jingles to heartwarming narratives, these bite-sized moments often reflect the culture and values of the time and place they come from. Here at PPP, we’ve been reminiscing about the ads that shaped us, inspired us, and, in some cases, left us laughing uncontrollably.

Our team’s love for TVCs spans across continents, from the sunburnt landscapes of Australia to the bustling streets of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. These ads are more than just clever marketing; they’re time capsules, reminding us of childhood snacks, beloved jingles, and those unforgettable taglines we’ve all tried to mimic. So, grab a drink, and join us on this whirlwind journey through the nostalgic TVCs that shaped who we are today.

Andrew Psarianos: CEO aka The Visionary

Our CEO, Andrew, reminisces about the iconic Australian beer, Tooheys, and its unforgettable marketing campaign from the 80s. Each ad starts with the words, “How do you feel?” and proceeds to describe the sport we’re watching at the time. However, the jingle at the end remains consistent: “I feel like a Tooheys” tune. This catchy jingle is deeply ingrained in Australian culture and triggers positive memories for many viewers. “Tastes like shit but I’ll still have one,” Andrew proudly declares, perfectly capturing the sentimentality that overrides taste.

Following that, Andrew recalls another legendary ad: Tina Turner’s electrifying campaign for the Winfield Cup. This iconic ad, created by the cigarette brand, transformed the perception of rugby, turning its players into superstars. Andrew shares that he had the privilege of traveling with these players to England for a special tour. At the end of each game, he vividly remembers the players indulging in cartons of cigars and cases of Tooheys beer, embodying the camaraderie and spirit of the time.

Krystal Santa Maria: Senior Producer aka The Problem Solver

Krystal hails from Malaysia and is deeply influenced by catchy television commercial jingles. One of her earliest memories is of a jingle by Malaysia’s petroleum company, Petronas. In the 90s, Malaysians were introduced to the steps for refueling their cars with the unforgettable phrase: “Angkat, Tolak, Masuk, Picit.”

“I wasn’t old enough to drive at that time, but the anticipation of being able to do these actions—‘Angkat, Tolak, Masuk, Picit’—was enticing,” she muses. “When I finally got my driving license and did my first refuel on my own, I uttered the phrase under my breath and felt a sense of achievement.”

Krystal’s second favourite jingle is one that every Malaysian millennial can recite by heart: the Pizza Hut delivery phone number!

“This is such a successful ad, in my opinion, because I still remember the number to this day, and I bet many Malaysians still do,” she says with a laugh. “Somehow this brainpower did not reflect in my studies. If only we had jingles for that…”

Caleb Rozario: Head of Post aka The Professor

Having grown up in Indonesia, Caleb has fond memories of a memorable ad from the popular instant noodle brand Mi Sedaap. Launched in 2003, Mi Sedaap quickly became a household name, offering two distinct flavour variants: Mi Sedaap Goreng Asli, known for its uniquely chewy noodles and generous topping of Kriuk Kriuk fried onions, and Mi Sedaap Soto soup, a tangy Indonesian classic paired with koya seasoning powder for an authentic, homestyle taste. For many families, this instant noodle brand became a staple in their daily meals.

“We’d always see this ad playing in cinemas before the movie trailers started,” Caleb recalls. “But honestly, it didn’t bother me because Mi Sedaap is delicious and probably made up about 80% of my diet growing up.”

Shein Shanin: Content Producer aka The Storyteller 

Your humble writer, who also hails from Malaysia, has also chosen a Petronas ad directed by the legendary late Yasmin Ahmad for Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day back in 2007. This poignant commercial tackles the sensitive issue of racial unity in Malaysia by showcasing a young Chinese boy’s innocent crush on a Malay girl. The ad beautifully promotes the idea of a colour-blind, harmonious Malaysian identity, leaving an indelible mark on its viewers.

Another TVC that captured my heart was the “Digi I Will Follow You” ad by the telecommunications company Digi. Featuring the distinctive character of the yellow Digi man—dressed in a skin-tight yellow onesie and sporting exaggerated facial expressions—the ad pairs its humor with a catchy jingle to tell us that wherever we may go, Digi will always have cellular service. It’s quirky, memorable, and undeniably effective.

Jason Wong Wei Kit: Director and DOP aka The Visual Eye 

Finally, our talented Director of Photography (DOP) takes a trip down memory lane, sharing his favorite TV commercial from 13 years ago. “It was the first time I heard about McDonald’s Spicy Chicken and Spicy Nuggets,” he recalls. What stood out to him was the ad’s focus on people—a celebration of togetherness and the joy of sharing food.

The flavor itself was distinctly Singaporean, a hyper-local twist that resonated with viewers. “It had a catchy jingle in Singlish that really showcased Singapore’s unique character,” he mused, reflecting on how the ad captured the heart and flavour of the city.

Nilesh J Parekh: Sound engineer aka The Audio Maestro

Sometimes ignorance is bliss, and Gold 90.5FM’s ad drives this message home with clever dialogue and all-too-relatable circumstances. This ad highlights not only the dangers of not paying attention but also the idea that you can hear whatever you want to hear on the radio.

“I love it because it reminds me not to be too influenced by the words of others; everything still needs to be fact-checked,” says Nilesh, our audio maestro. However, he adds with a chuckle, “The danger of this TVC, though, is also confirmation bias. You hear what you want to hear.”

Ashley Phuong: Business Development Executive aka The Connector

Ashley Phuong, our Business Development Executive, is charmed by the creative and unique ads from Vinamilk. Recognising that most of its customers are young people, Vinamilk has consistently produced TVCs with fun, symbolic imagery of healthy cows. These playful visuals have become synonymous with the brand, captivating audiences and bringing laughter to viewers.

“I honestly don’t remember much from my childhood, but this TVC has a very fun and catchy jingle that made me sing along to it whenever it came on TV,” Ashley shares enthusiastically.

The lyrics translate to: “100%, 100% real milk every day, every day”—a simple yet effective earworm.

“Every time I see or drink Vinamilk, I’ll sing the song too. And I think I refused to drink any other milk until P2 because of this ad,” she adds with a laugh.

Unforgettable, Nostalgic and more…

As we explored the nostalgic TVCs that left their mark on our lives, one thing became abundantly clear: great advertising is universal in its ability to connect, entertain, and leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s an Australian ad that taught us about mateship, a Malaysian jingle that became a playground anthem, or an Indonesian instant noodles that brought families together, these commercials remind us of the power of storytelling in its simplest form.

At PPP, we’re proud to celebrate the creativity and cultural richness that these ads represent. They’ve not only influenced our tastes and humour but also our approach to storytelling as a company. Here’s to the jingles that stick, the stories that move us, and the brands that dared to dream big. What’s your most cherished TVC memory? We’d love to hear about it!