Here at DW, we’re surrounded by dads whether they’re our own or a fellow teammate. With Father’s Day around the corner, we’re taking a moment to share our favorite dad ads.
We’re almost 20 years into the 21st century and I’m still caught off guard when I see an ad celebrating fathers. A month or two ago, I remember watching a commercial about a dad who’s in the process of doing laundry while his three kids run around the house. I actually thought, “Wow! They’re breaking some barriers having a dad do laundry in an ad.”
I realized how absurd the shock was of 1, a dad was playing a domesticated role, and 2, he was doing it without hand-holding. Today, these ads still appear to be few and far between.
While researching videos and ads, I’m sure I kept the DW team entertained in-between my bursts of laughter and attempts to not ugly cry at my desk. Hopefully, with this blog, we’ll bring a tear to your eye or give you a good chuckle.
Pantene + Dad Do
When I first saw this commercial by Pantene, it brought tears to my eyes. Braids and bows and ponytails were a staple of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of me sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, my head jerked in every which direction as my hair was pulled into braids and ponytails.
My dad has been a football coach since before I was born, so this commercial immediately took me back. According to my mom, my dad became a pro at giving me a killer ponytail.
This ad beautifully promoted healthy relationships between dads and their daughters, “Girls who spend quality time with their dads grow up to be stronger women.” Jason Witten attempting to give his daughter a “dad do” and her “I love you, Daddy”, DeAngelo Williams telling his daughter that “strong is beautiful”, and Benjamin Watson giving his daughter a secret handshake, all made my heart swell two sizes.
Tide + Super Dads Do the Laundry
When I first started researching videos, I rolled my eyes at the concept that dads should be celebrated whenever they do anything household related. This Tide spot made me giggle. They partnered with BatDad, an accidental influencer who went viral with his hilarious videos shining the spotlight on his family, to help promote their Tide PODS.
Added bonus that his kids aren’t eating any of the PODS.
Huggies + Father’s Day
Huggies’ No Baby Unhugged campaign promoted the health benefits of baby snuggles and they didn’t forget about new and soon-to-be dads. Their Father’s Day spot tied in with their campaign while showing the power of hugs and power of dads. This video shows the pure love of parenthood.
Canadian Club + Damn Right Your Dad Drank It
This campaign (a favorite amongst the DW team) of sometimes risque print ads gave a nod to Mad Men-era fathers, the manly men who drank their Canadian Club on the rocks. In this ad, vintage photos of stories waiting reluctantly to be told are integrated with old-school sentiments.
Gillette + Handle with Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjjhcdcBkK4
The overwhelming majority of dad ads out there centered around young fathers and their little kids. While Gillette was not specifically promoting fathers in this ad, they told a beautiful story of a son and his aging father. His son explains their relationship through the years up to current days explaining his role as his father’s caretaker. The son retells an exchange, his father saying: “I don’t know what I did to deserve you.” He responds with a tear in his eye, “I’ve got you, dad.”
Alright, now I have tears in my eyes.
Hyundai + Dad’s Sixth Sense
It goes without saying that parents have superhero capabilities, protecting their kids when danger approaches. This Hyundai commercial starts with a toddler running full throttle towards a brick planter when he trips. His dad reaches out with superhuman senses, swooping his son up to avoid a collision. The next snippets show similar situations as the years march on. My personal favorite is when the son goes to cast a fishing pole and almost goes along with it, were it not for his dad’s grab.
Dove + #RealDadMoments
This minute-long bit opens with a little boy jumping into his father’s arms in a swimming pool. A teen girl is parked on the side of the road with her broken down car behind her, calling her dad with tears in her eyes. Another child shrieks as the dad tries to put a hat on his child–the finishing touch for a Halloween costume. All of these scenes are relatable, real-life moments.
They show dads being there, coming to the rescue and simply supporting their kids. The YouTube video description says, “Three-quarters of dads say they are responsible for their child’s emotional well-being, while only 20% of dads see this role reflected in media.”
“Isn’t it time we celebrate Dads?”
Yes, yes it is.
From all of us at Duft Watterson, Happy Father’s Day.