Remember ripping open the box of footy boots you swore would make you play like a pro?

Endless summer nights playing hide and seek, only heading home when your mum’s voice cut through the night?

The taste of freedom, sipping your first ‘legal’ pint down the local?

Nostalgia isn’t just a warm, fuzzy memory. It’s hardwired into us. A shortcut to emotion.

And in marketing, it’s a cheat code.

While everyone’s chasing the next big thing, it’s often the echoes of the past that truly cut through.

That’s the magic of nostalgia.

But here’s the kicker, it’s not about blindly copying the past.

It’s about tapping into the moments that matter, the sweat spots to trigger emotions and bring them back to life in a whole new way.

So in the spirit of nostlgia, here are x2 brands that nailed it:

Hellman’s Super Bowl Ad | When Sally met Hellman’s

The Super Bowl isn’t just a game, it’s often seen as advertising’s biggest stage. And this year, Hellmann’s plays to nostalgia with a winning move.

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal step back into their iconic When Harry Met Sally deli scene, but this time, Hellmann’s mayo is the real star. Mixing nostalgia, star power, and a fresh spin on a cinematic classic, the ad hits home across generations. Even for those who don’t catch the reference, the punchline still delivers, maybe even better.

Campaign | Adidas x Man Utd: You can’t beat an Original 

Adidas and Manchester United’s 3rd kit launch was about more than just gear, it was a love letter to football and the club.

A nostalgic tribute to the club’s glory days, legends of past and present and their legendary training ground, The Cliff. All set to the iconic 90’s soundtrack of Born Slippy by Underworld.

Things might not be rosy on or off the pitch for the club, but this one takes us straight back to the golden era under Sir Alex Ferguson,  when the Red Devils were unstoppable.

Now here’s the play: nostalgia isn’t just for those who lived it.

Nearly 40% of Gen Z are said to feel nostalgic for the ‘90s, not because they remember it, but because it feels real. A raw antidote and something different from to today’s hyper-curated chaos.

And that’s why great brands don’t just bring back the past. They remix it.

They take the moments, the icons, the aesthetics, and ground them in today’s culture, bridging generations.

That’s why nostalgia-fueled campaigns don’t just land; they resonate. Studies show they make ads more relatable, deepen emotional connections, and help build greater brand loyalty.

Ready to take a dive tap into nostalgia?

Book a FREE 1-to-1 session and let’s turn the past into your next brand advantage.

Book a FREE 1-to-1 session and let’s turn nostalgia into your next brand advantage.