20 Best Famous Company Slogans & Taglines You Can Recall
- July 12, 2023
- Nicole Andrew
Table of Contents
In the world of marketing and branding, ‘famous company slogans’ are often the lifeblood of successful brands. They are the catchy phrases that express a brand’s identity, setting it apart in the market and embedding it in the consumer’s mind. A powerful slogan can be a game changer for a brand’s recognition and influence. But what’s the real importance of these slogans and taglines? And how have the best in the business used them to catapult their brands to stardom?
This blog post will delve into the significance of famous company slogans and taglines, clarifying their critical role in shaping a brand’s image, guiding its narrative, and influencing consumer perception. We’ll explain what exactly a brand slogan and a tagline are, and explain the nuanced difference between them. Then, as an ‘ode’ to the craft of creative branding, we’ll tour through 20 of the best famous company slogans and taglines. We’ll uncover the stories behind these iconic phrases and explore how they have impacted the respective brand’s image in marketing and advertising.
For service-based business owners aiming to understand the importance of a strong slogan, or simply a curious reader, this exploration into the world of famous company slogans and taglines promises to be insightful and enriching. Let’s dive in.
What is the importance of these famous company slogans and taglines?
If you want your audience to interact with your brand in a certain way, a well-crafted slogan or tagline can be effective acting as a verbal or textual representation of your brand’s core essence into a memorable phrase. It provides a quick, digestible way to communicate your brand’s value proposition, helping your target audience understand what your brand stands for and what it offers that differentiates it from your competitors.
Regarding your target market’s behavior, a compelling slogan can motivate potential buyers to purchase or engage with your brand. When they identify with your values, emotions, or experiences encapsulated in your slogan or tagline, they are more likely to choose your brand over the others in your market. They have increased brand recall, making your brand ‘top-of-mind’ when making purchasing decisions.
Brand slogans and taglines are important elements of your brand marketing, acting as powerful tools that communicate the essence of your brand in a few memorable words. They help to succinctly convey the brand’s values, unique selling propositions, and overall brand message to consumers.
These phrases are often paired up with your brand logo, enabling immediate recognition and reinforcement of the brand identity in various media such as print, digital, commercials, and more. Not only do they serve as mental prompts facilitating brand recall, but they also play into emotions, evoking feelings and creating emotional connections with your target audience and potential buyers.
Some of these famous company slogans spur up inspiration, reflecting a brand’s mission in a way that resonates with their consumers and prompts them to engage with their brand. As a result, they can influence purchasing decisions and help foster customer loyalty. That is why a well-crafted slogan or tagline can be a differentiating factor that sets your brand apart from your competitors.
Overall, the role of these famous company slogans and taglines in brand marketing extends beyond mere catchy phrases – they are strategic assets that can significantly contribute to your brand’s awareness, recognition, and positioning in your market.
Beyond playing a vital role in communicating your company’s values, mission, and unique selling proposition, they often shape your target market’s perception of your brand, influence purchasing decisions, and contribute to brand loyalty. Below are several reasons why they are important:
Differentiation
A well-crafted slogan or tagline can set your brand apart from your competitors, emphasizing what makes your company unique. For example, BMW’s tagline “The Ultimate Driving Machine” differentiates it by underscoring its focus on the driving experience.
Build A Brand Identity For Recall
A well-built brand identity that communicates consistency in its messaging and visuals also makes a slogan and tagline more memorable. Nike’s “Just Do It” is a great example of a simple, direct slogan that has become almost as recognizable as the company’s logo itself.
Communicate Brand Promise
When communicating your brand’s promise to your customers, make it succinct. McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It” speaks to the enjoyable experience it aims to provide.
Emote A Connection
You’ll want to evoke specific feelings with your slogan and tagline. Coca Cola’s “Open Happiness” tagline, for instance, seeks to associate their products with joy and positivity.
Simplify Complex Ideas
Get simplistic in identifying your product or service. Some companies operate in industries where their products or services can be complicated. A slogan can distill this complexity into a simple, digestible phrase. Consider Apple’s “Think Different”, which encapsulates their mission to create innovative and unique technology products.
Encourage Action
Inspire consumers to take action, whether it’s to purchase your service, engage with your brand, or even change their behavior. Nike’s “Just Do It” suggests a call to action and promotes a proactive, motivated lifestyle.
What is a brand slogan, a tagline, and the difference between them?
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable phrase used in advertising and marketing to express the essence of a product, service, or company. It often captures the company’s mission, unique selling proposition, or brand personality, and aims to leave a lasting impression on your potential customers. These famous company slogans are examples of advertising campaigns. Slogans can change over time as the company’s messaging evolves or new campaigns are developed.
Tagline
A tagline, on the other hand, is a short, powerful phrase that defines a company’s attitude, tone, or philosophy. It’s essentially your company’s catchphrase and remains consistent over time, even when the advertising campaigns or famous company slogans change. A tagline represents your company’s brand identity and is often included alongside the company logo.
Although the terms slogan and tagline are often used interchangeably, the main difference lies in their consistency and application. You’ll see these 20 best famous company slogans and taglines below are more flexible and campaign-specific.
Mastercard in particular uses a mixture of slogans – “There are some things money cant buy for everything else theres Mastercard” with the ad campaign slogan: “Priceless”.
20 Best Famous Company Slogans and Taglines
These are some of the best famous company slogans in history.
Nike: “Just Do It”
Nike’s tagline “Just Do It,” coined in 1988, was intended to inspire everyday people to get more active. It transformed the brand’s image from an elite performance brand to a brand for everyone, significantly boosting its market share and becoming a mantra for personal achievement.
Apple: “Think Different”
Launched in 1997 when Apple was struggling financially and faced stiff competition from Microsoft, “Think Different” was part of a larger marketing campaign that aimed to re-establish the brand’s unique identity. The phrase not only conveyed Apple’s commitment to innovation but also positioned the company as the choice for unconventional, creative individuals. By associating Apple products with ‘thinking differently’, the brand fostered a strong emotional connection with its target audience. This campaign played a pivotal role in Apple’s comeback and solidified its position as a leading innovator in the tech industry.
McDonald’s: “I’m Lovin’ It”
Introduced in 2003, McDonalds Im Lovin It marked a shift in McDonald’s marketing strategy towards a more lifestyle-oriented approach. The phrase embodied the joy, simplicity, and positivity associated with the McDonald’s dining experience. This was McDonald’s first global campaign and featured catchy jingles and high-profile endorsements, including Justin Timberlake. It helped McDonald’s recover from a slump and revitalized the brand image, resonating with a broad, global audience and driving growth across different markets.
Burger King: “Have It Your Way”
Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” emerged in the 1970s to emphasize the brand’s customer-focused approach and the ability to customize orders—a contrast to McDonald’s standardized menu. This tagline positioned Burger King as a fast-food establishment that values individual preferences, thereby fostering a sense of personalization and customer empowerment. It played a significant role in differentiating the brand in a highly competitive market.
Walmart: “Save Money. Live Better.”
Walmart introduced “Save Money. Live Better” in 2007, a tagline that encapsulated the company’s commitment to providing quality goods at low prices. It conveys a straightforward message that resonates with consumers: shopping at Walmart helps you save money, which, in turn, helps you live better. This tagline has enhanced the brand’s image as a retailer that genuinely cares about the financial wellbeing of its customers.
Coca-Cola: “Open Happiness”
Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness”, launched in 2009, was designed to evoke feelings of joy, optimism, and upliftment associated with the brand. This global campaign aimed to reinforce Coca-Cola as a simple pleasure that had the power to bring people together. The tagline transcended the product itself to tap into universal human emotions, strengthening Coca-Cola’s bond with consumers worldwide.
BMW: “The Ultimate Driving Machine”
BMW’s tagline “The Ultimate Driving Machine”, first introduced in the 1970s, perfectly encapsulates the brand’s commitment to luxury, performance, and technological excellence. It helped BMW establish a distinct, appealing image in the luxury car market, reinforcing its reputation for engineering high-quality vehicles that deliver an unmatched driving experience. This tagline has been instrumental in shaping BMW’s brand identity and remains a symbol of the brand’s promise to its customers.
Maybelline: “Maybe She’s Born With It. Maybe It’s Maybelline.”
Launched in 1991, this slogan played a key role in positioning Maybelline products as the secret behind a woman’s natural-looking beauty. By sparking curiosity and allowing for two possibilities – natural beauty or beauty enhanced by Maybelline – the tagline created a connection with consumers who desired a natural yet glamorous look. This clever slogan significantly boosted the brand’s recognition and sales.
MasterCard: “There are some things money can’t buy. For everything else, there’s MasterCard.”
Introduced in 1997, this tagline cleverly juxtaposes “PRICELESS” experiences with purchasable goods, positioning MasterCard as a key to both. This slogan presented MasterCard not just as a payment method, but as an enabler of memorable experiences. It helped strengthen the brand’s image and played a pivotal role in its global marketing campaigns.
Verizon: “Can You Hear Me Now? Good!”
First used in 2002, this catch phrase originated from Verizon’s commercials that highlighted the company’s superior network coverage. The campaign and its tagline played a crucial role in building Verizon’s reputation for reliable, wide-ranging network service, establishing it as a leading telecommunications provider in the U.S. The phrase became so recognizable that it significantly boosted brand recall and was even reintroduced years later with a competitive twist when the original actor became a spokesperson for Sprint.
L’Oreal: “Because You’re Worth It”
Introduced in 1973, L’Oreal’s tagline “Because You’re Worth It” represented a shift towards personal empowerment and individual worth in advertising. It struck a chord with women worldwide, emphasizing that they deserved luxury and self-care. The tagline has evolved to “Because We’re Worth It” and “Because You’re Worth It Too,” maintaining its central theme of self-worth and value.
Adidas: “Impossible Is Nothing”
Launched in 2004, Adidas’s slogan “Impossible Is Nothing” is a powerful statement of the brand’s commitment to innovation and high performance. The tagline inspired athletes and non-athletes alike to push their limits, aligning Adidas with determination, perseverance, and aspiration. It played a significant role in solidifying Adidas’s image as a brand that encourages personal growth and achievement.
FedEx: “When It Absolutely, Positively Has to Be There Overnight”
Introduced in the 1980s, this tagline was a promise from FedEx of reliable, timely deliveries. It reinforced the brand’s commitment to fast and dependable service, positioning FedEx as the go-to choice for urgent shipping needs. The slogan effectively highlighted the brand’s unique selling proposition and bolstered its standing as a trusted courier service.
Disneyland: “The Happiest Place on Earth”
Disneyland’s tagline “The Happiest Place on Earth” perfectly encapsulates the brand’s mission to provide joy and magic to all visitors. It emphasizes the enchanting and memorable experience Disneyland offers, creating an inviting image that has drawn millions of visitors since its inception. This tagline is an integral part of Disney’s brand identity, resonating with both children and adults and enhancing its universal appeal.
KFC: “Finger Lickin’ Good”
First used in the 1950s, KFC’s tagline “Finger Lickin Good” highlighted the irresistible taste of their chicken. This slogan played a critical role in KFC’s marketing strategy, creating a mouthwatering image that successfully attracted customers globally. Despite retiring the slogan in 2020 due to COVID-19, it remains synonymous with KFC, underscoring the long-lasting impact of a strong tagline.
Visa: “It’s Everywhere You Want to Be”
Visa’s tagline, introduced in the mid-1980s, projected the image of Visa as a universally accepted form of payment. It not only emphasized the convenience and ubiquity of the card but also subtly suggested that Visa was a passport to enjoyable experiences. This slogan significantly contributed to Visa’s global brand recognition and preference.
General Electric (GE): “Imagination at Work”
Adopted in 2003, GE’s tagline “Imagination at Work” effectively conveyed the company’s commitment to innovation and progress. It underscored the creativity and ingenuity behind GE’s diverse portfolio of products and solutions, strengthening its image as a pioneering and forward-thinking company.
De Beers: “A Diamond Is Forever”
Introduced in 1947, De Beers’s slogan “A Diamond Is Forever” is often hailed as the greatest ad slogan of the 20th century. It linked the idea of eternal love and commitment with a diamond, propelling the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The phrase not only boosted diamond sales but also cemented De Beers’s position as a leader in the diamond industry.
M&Ms: “Melts in Your Mouth, Not in Your Hands”
This catchy tagline was first used by M&Ms in 1954. It emphasized the candy’s unique selling point – the hard shell that prevented the chocolate from melting. The slogan effectively differentiated M&Ms in the market and became a familiar phrase in American households, making it an essential part of the brand’s identity.
Heineken: “Open Your World”
Heineken’s “Open Your World” campaign, launched in 2011, encouraged consumers to broaden their horizons and engage with the world around them. The tagline, combined with thought-provoking ads, strengthened Heineken’s image as a sophisticated, worldly beer that brings people together. It helped the brand connect with a global audience and enhanced its position as a leading international brewer.
The Takeaway
Drawing from these rich examples and insights, it’s evident that powerful slogans and taglines can significantly influence a brand’s success. They can shape customer perceptions, evoke emotions, inspire actions, and differentiate your business in a crowded market. To craft the best slogan for business, it’s essential to focus on your unique value proposition, understand your audience’s values and desires, and encapsulate these elements into a succinct, memorable phrase that resonates with your target market.
Yet, understanding these elements and successfully translating them into a compelling slogan can be challenging. That’s where we come in. As a dedicated agency specializing in brand strategy, we help service-based entrepreneurs navigate these complexities. We take a deep dive into your business, your target audience, and your market position, guiding you in crafting effective taglines that evoke the desired feelings, inspire action, and accurately reflect the unique value your services provide.
Don’t leave your brand message to chance. Partner with us to ensure your tagline aligns with your brand strategy, stands out in the marketplace, and truly resonates with your audience. With our expertise, we can help elevate your brand, connect with your target audience on a deeper level, and drive your business forward. Let’s create something impactful together – get in touch with us today to start the journey towards your compelling brand slogan or tagline.
Nicole Andrew is a 20 year brand designer, Level-C certified brand strategist, educator, and co-owner of 28Lions, a branding & marketing agency that helps service-based entrepreneurs turn their expertise into powerful brands.