1967 "What does a banana have to be to be a Chiquita?" Ad

This 1967 Chiquita ad nailed it. A banana… being compared to a Marine’s physical exam? Wild. But it worked. The funny visual, bold headline, and playful copy made readers stop, smile, and suddenly crave a banana.

Marketing analysis

That headline grabs attention with curiosity. The banana image with measurements turns a boring piece of fruit into a mini story. And the copy? It builds brand trust by showing “Chiquita bananas pass real tests”—while keeping it silly and human.

Why it works

• Uses humor to make the brand memorable
• Creates curiosity right from the headline
• Shows product quality without sounding salesy
• Turns a commodity (bananas!) into a premium choice

Examples

• Dollar Shave Club’s viral video made razors funny and desirable
• Old Spice revived its image with absurd humor and confidence
• Poo~Pourri ads made bathroom spray go viral using cheeky storytelling