In the 80s, if you were to pick up a magazine, you would have seen the same brands advertised.
Although these brands have changed in recent years, there is still an effect on our culture today. These are the types of brands that were most popular during the 1980s, and how they still affect us today.
Some of these brands include:
Disney
Disney is a character-based company that promotes a family-friendly atmosphere. In the 80s, it was famous for its kid friendly cartoons and movies, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” It is still very popular today, continuing a solid stream of movie releases involving both originals and reboots of its classics. As a whole, Disney is considered one of the biggest mega-corporations in current time.
Nintendo
Nintendo was one of the first companies to make video games, starting out with arcade machines. Since then, it has become one of the world’s most successful video game makers. In the 80s, Nintendo was a household name that sold millions of units for each new game console release. Their most famous games include the Super Mario Bros. franchise and Donkey Kong. Nintendo played a huge part in the resurgence of interest in arcade games and console games in general.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola was founded in 1886 by John Pemberton, who touted his new Coca-Cola drink as a perfect combination of the stimulating properties of coca wine and the mellowing properties of coca leaves. In 1894 he opened a bottling plant in Atlanta to sell the soda. Today it is still one of the most well known soft drinks in the world.
Sega
Sega was a video game company that started in Japan, and then spread to the United States. Throughout the 80s, they developed gaming consoles and software that were popular with kids and adults alike, such as Genesis. It led to their breakthrough, the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise, which was released in 1991.
Thierry Mugler
Thierry Mugler was a fashion designer known for being a powerhouse during the 80s. His success was due to his ability to create women’s fashions that were guaranteed to turn heads. He has a certain skill to create looks that involve dynamic silhouettes and shapes. Even his runways were known to be extravagant affairs.
Levi Strauss & Co
Levi Strauss & Co is the world’s oldest surviving manufacturer of blue jeans, having been founded in 1853 in San Francisco, California. In the 80s, it was known as a company that stood for quality and durability. The brand flourished during the 80s due to the “blue jeans craze” and their use of the “stone washing” technique.
Ralph Lauren (Polo)
Ralph Lauren was a clothing designer who founded his company in 1967. Throughout the 80s, he was known as a fashion leader that created staple pieces for men and women. His popularity grew throughout the decade, with his simple yet stylish clothing line, Polo Ralph Lauren, being one of his most well-known products.
