Rob Heppler's 25 Favorite Print Advertisements

Former Hypebeast blogger and currently blogging for TheHundreds.com, Rob Heppler is a pillar of the streetwear community. Co-founder of the first street culture radio show "Weekly Drop," Rob made the jump to advertising after graduating from the prestigious WK12 program at Weiden and Kennedy. He also helped create of the "Lobster" Nike SB Dunk and the Coraline Dunk (solid sneakerhead trivia). Currently, Heppler serves as Senior Writer at Amusement Park Entertainment in Los Angeles.

Rob's favorite personal achievements include Baconorbeercan.com and his 13 year old daughter Sierra.

Rob Heppler's 25 Greatest Print Advertisements

Written by Rob Heppler (@hepdog).

"You don’t have to smoke cartons of caddy’s to appreciate this smooth character. Hard to spot this ad in a Sport Illustrated for Kids, but when you did it was always rewarding. Every month Joe Camel would be in another smoking situation."

"At first glance this is just a ordinary iPod silhouette ad. If you look closly at the neck you can spot a necklace. Not just any necklace, a Gabriel Urist sneaker chain. Well done Gabe."

Before the internet your youth was molded by what magazines you had access too. In the 80’s horror and gore was as popular as porn. Congruently horror porn was at it’s highest popularity. I would stare at these masks organizing huge ciphers to discuss the order in which we would desire each mask. I would pick the skull one first.

"Often imitated, this ad has all the necessary ingredients for a successful delivery of a brand message. The ad was created in 7 BP (Before Photoshop). It achieves what every ad dreams of achieving, becoming a entry in the popular generations culture."

"This ad sucks, but it’s who it was made by that makes it cool. Jeff Koons took a stab at the ad world in the 80’s and left his impression on brands like Bacardi. If it didn’t work then, we are talking about it now... fuck! He made me think about Bacardi!"

"Is this real? Ted Kennedy would have been president had he not killed Mary Jo Kopechne in a drunk driving incident at Chappaquiddick. This ad cleverly points out had he been driving a bug they would have just been all washed up. I have now just ruined any chance I had at becoming a Kennedy so thanks for that. I hope you are happy."

"Why is this plain Jetta ad in my top 25? Cuz I wrote the fucking headline. This is my first print ad... I didn’t write the “Great for the price of good” that was Thome Cordner. But thank you very much Deutsch LA for $500 a day for 3 months!"

"I don’t care if this is an an abortion ad or pro God. It’s a baby arm. Any baby arm related content I am a fan of. Know what I’m talking about?"

"Is it airbrush? Colored pencils? Eddy from Megadeath? So many questions, locked up with a solid tagline made this the most tried to draw on my book cover ad in 1986."

"I could care less about the product but artist Taylor Twist combines large type, sneakers, and an emotional rich personality in a black and white explosion reminiscent of vintage nike ads. I’d thought about it and I would like to delete 'explosion' from the last sentence. I was lying when I said that."

"At one time if you didn’t have Oakleys you were no one. Nowadays if you have Oakley's no one wants to know you. This was around the time everyone had THERMONUCLEAR PROTECTION on the windshield of their pick-up truck. You call that a pick-up truck? pfffftttt"

"Call of duty!!!! This ad kicks ass on it’s own Buffy, Machete, zombies... but when you turn the lights out... you can thank Travis Swingler and his zombie obsession for this 2 stage glow in the dark print ad."

"Usually staring back at me opposite a naked lady in a National Lampoon mag would be a flavorful Newport ad. Why clutter your ad with nonesense when shocking colors will make you dizzy."

"Rounding out the top ten we have Jim Carrey staring as the uptown Tommy Hilfiger."

"Let's sketch out what we think the ad should look like...hey, that look’s pretty cool. And that is how Nike Volleyball conveyed their message back in ’96. No one does advertising better than Jelly Helm."

"When your ads are well known enough to parody you know you did something right. When Eric Haze parodies your ad for his own brand...wait...this is a HAZE ad?!...that’s crazy....why would he have to... oohhhhhhhhh......"

"Attempts to contact Capp3l for the ad I wanted went unanswered...this snowboard outerwear company just used super hot girls...and the product is an afterthought. Thank you Capp3l."

"Kanye, Bruce Willis, that Machete guy again...Mike Warzin, Sheena Brady, and Brandon Pierce killed it."

"Remember when Don Imus said that racist shit about the female basketball team? Well, ads like this are shocking and responsive, unlike the rest of the planet that just get offended and make their eyes all big and don’t say shit. Another Sheena Brady homerun."

Thank you, ignorance.

Thank you for starting the conversation.

Thank you for making an entire nation listen to the Rutger's [sic] team story. And for making us wonder what other great stories we've missed. Thank you for reminding us to think before we speak.

Thank you for showing us how strong and poised 18 and 20-year-old women can be.

Thank you for reminding us that another basketball tournament goes on in March.

Thank you for showing us that sport includes more than the time spent on the court.

Thank you for unintentionally moving women's sport forward.

And thank you for making all of us realize that we still have a long way to go.

Next season starts 11.16.07.

"Are you seeing a pattern with Nike (and Wieden and Kennedy’s) awesomeness? Here is a simple basketball ad celebrating the competitiveness of the game."

"See also: Awesomest shit that ever happened."

"Back when I guess Supreme felt they needed to advertise.

"Justin Pierce R.I.P. Drinking the 40 is Peter Bici (fireman). In the middle stands Mike Hernandez (fireman) and at far left, Giovanni Estevez and John Keeffe (DQM). The photo was shot by Shadi and layout by Mike Mills."