1967 Eastern Air Lines Child Memories / Yard Man Saddle Mustang Mower Print Ad

     Today's featured vintage ad is a bit backwards.  When there's a full page ad on one side, and a partial page ad on the other, usually the full page ad is the center of attention.  In this case, the full page ad is for Eastern Air Lines.  The page header reads "Give your children some memories that won't wear out."

    That's fine as far as it goes, but maybe a bit dull.  Not worthless. I'm sure the ad has value. Maybe to the advertiser, maybe someone who went on a trip because of this ad, a historian, or plenty of other possibilities.  But really, how in the world can you compete with the 'other side' of the page? Compare the two thumbnails... one immediately stands out, doesn't it?

    The Yard-Man Mustang, 1967 model. On a bright background shading from dark orange to light orange (an effect known as Ombre) is a yellow Mustang and a mean-looking Hombre.  :^)
    Actually, a fancy-looking dude/cowboy wannabe holding his color-matched saddle and about to 'tack up' his Yard-Man Mustang riding mower.  The headline reads "Saddle a Mustang...and Go!"  Of course it does.  In the world of cheesy titles for a cheesy image, it's the only title that makes sense.

    For sheer chutzpah... for completely self-aware cheekiness... for being able to poke fun at yourself, and your product... I absolutely love this ad.  The instant I first saw it, it made me smile.  It tickles my funny bone.  It's memorable.  Attention-getting.  Intentionally ridiculous.  Yard-man absolutely nails advertising.  They understand how to stand out.  As a completely unbiased viewer, with no preference or interest in either company, the Yard-Man ad sings.  I'll forget the Eastern Air Lines ad, which is ironic since their point is to give your child a memory that won't fade away.  But the Yard-Man ad is like a good joke, well told.  Always worth a chuckle.  If I randomly think about mowing the lawn, or using a riding mower, this ad's going to pop into my head for a long time to come.  

    To the Yard-Man advertising team, I sincerely hope you won some kind of award for that ad.  Knocked it out of the park!

Yard-Man 1967 Mustang for the win!!