10 Fascinating Facts About the AT&T “Reach Out and Touch Someone” Commercial (1979)

The AT&T “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial that aired in 1979 is one of the most iconic advertisements of all time. The commercial was created by N.W. Ayer, one of America’s oldest advertising agencies, and was designed to help AT&T improve its public image. The commercial was a huge success and helped to make AT&T one of the most recognized brands in the world.

The commercial featured the famous jingle “Reach out and touch someone,” which was composed by David Lucas, a specialist who had previously worked with many successful musicians. The jingle became an instant hit and was soon being sung by people all over the world. The commercial itself showed people from all walks of life reaching out to each other, connecting with loved ones, and sharing moments of joy and happiness. The message was clear: AT&T was a company that helped people stay connected with the people they loved.

Today, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial is still remembered fondly by people all over the world. It is a reminder of a time when communication was simpler, and people were more connected to each other. The commercial had a huge impact on the world of advertising and helped to establish AT&T as one of the most recognizable brands in the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at the commercial, its impact, and its legacy.

Key Takeaways

• The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial is one of the most iconic advertisements of all time.
• The commercial helped to improve AT&T’s public image and establish the company as one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
• The commercial had a huge impact on the world of advertising and is still remembered fondly by people all over the world.

Background

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial was a successful advertising campaign by AT&T in 1979. It was developed by N.W. Ayer, one of America’s oldest advertising agencies, helped AT&T soften its image in the face of growing concerns about the company’s monopoly on the telecommunications industry.

N.W. Ayer

N.W. Ayer was founded in 1869 and was responsible for creating some of the most iconic advertising campaigns in American history. The agency was instrumental in creating the concept of modern advertising and was the first agency to use celebrities in their campaigns. They were also the first agency to create a jingle for a commercial, which was used in the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign.

Bell System

The Bell System was the dominant telephone company in the United States from 1877 until its breakup in 1984. The company was commonly referred to as “Ma Bell” and was responsible for providing telephone service to most of the country. The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign was created to promote long-distance calling, which was a service provided by the Bell System.

The campaign was a huge success and became one of the most recognizable advertising slogans of all time. It was used in commercials, print ads, and even on billboards. The jingle was composed by David Lucas and was sung by a variety of artists, including Aretha Franklin.

In conclusion, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign was a groundbreaking advertising campaign that helped to soften AT&T’s image and promote long-distance calling. It was created by N.W. Ayer, was one of the most influential advertising agencies in American history, and was used by the Bell System, the dominant telephone company in the United States at the time.

The Commercial

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial by AT&T in 1979 was a groundbreaking advertisement that aimed to soften the image of the company. The commercial was created by N.W. Ayer, one of America’s oldest advertising agencies, and it featured a catchy jingle that became an instant hit.

Concept

The concept behind the commercial was to highlight the importance of human connection and communication. The slogan “Reach Out and Touch Someone” was meant to evoke an emotional response in viewers and encourage them to pick up the phone and call their loved ones. The commercial was part of a larger advertising campaign that aimed to get more people to make long-distance calls using the AT&T network.

Production

The commercial featured a montage of people from different walks of life, including families, friends, and couples, all talking on the phone and connecting with each other. The music was composed by David Lucas, who said that he wanted to create a melody that was simple and memorable.

The commercial was first aired on the Johnny Carson Show in 1979 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. It was so successful that it was later adapted into a song and released as a single.

Reception

The commercial was well-received by the public and helped to improve AT&T’s image, which had been tarnished due to the company’s monopoly on the telephone industry. The slogan “Reach Out and Touch Someone” became synonymous with the AT&T brand and is still remembered today.

Overall, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial was a groundbreaking advertisement that captured the spirit of human connection and communication. It helped to change the image of AT&T and became a cultural phenomenon that is still remembered today.

Impact

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial campaign launched by AT&T in 1979 had a significant impact on American culture and the marketing industry. The campaign was a massive success and continues to be remembered and referenced today.

Cultural Significance

The commercial campaign was launched during a time when long-distance calls were expensive and not as common as they are today. The commercial’s message of connecting with friends and loved ones no matter the distance struck a chord with Americans. The phrase “Reach Out and Touch Someone” became a cultural phenomenon and was referenced in popular media, including Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show” and Michael Arlen’s novel “The Green Hat.”

The campaign’s jingle, composed by Neve Savage, was also a cultural touchstone. The catchy tune and memorable lyrics, “Reach out, reach out and touch someone,” became synonymous with the campaign and helped elevate the ad’s message.

Marketing Success

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign was a massive success for AT&T. The ad campaign helped change the perception of the company from a cold, impersonal corporation to one that valued personal connections. The print campaign, which featured real-life stories of people connecting with loved ones through long-distance calls, was also a hit.

The success of the campaign led to the development of other successful AT&T ad campaigns, including the “Interact” campaign, which emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and technology.

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign also paved the way for multimedia marketing. In 1995, AT&T launched Mlife, a multimedia marketing campaign that utilized RealAudio and other technologies to reach customers through various mediums.

Overall, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign is a success story in the world of advertising. It connected with Americans on a personal level and helped elevate AT&T’s image as a company that valued personal connections.

Legacy

The “Reach Out and Touch Someone” commercial campaign was a huge success for AT&T, and the jingle became a cultural phenomenon that is still remembered and recognized today. The campaign helped to soften AT&T’s image and increase the number of long-distance calls made by consumers.

The jingle was so popular that it was even parodied in popular culture, including in an episode of The Simpsons. The legacy of the campaign lives on in the memories of those who remember it, and it continues to be a part of pop culture history.

In addition to its cultural impact, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign also had a significant impact on the telecommunications industry. The campaign helped to promote the use of long-distance calling and encouraged consumers to stay connected with friends and family who lived far away.

Today, AT&T continues to innovate in the telecommunications industry, offering a variety of services and products to help consumers stay connected. The company has even developed an app that allows users to make and receive calls and texts from their AT&T phone number on any device with an internet connection.

Overall, the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” campaign was a groundbreaking and memorable moment in advertising history, and it continues to be remembered and celebrated today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the old AT&T ad slogan?

The old AT&T ad slogan was “Reach Out and Touch Someone.” It was a famous advertising campaign launched in 1979 by the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T).

What is the old saying reach out and touch someone?

The old saying “reach out and touch someone” is a metaphorical expression that means to communicate with someone in a meaningful way. It was popularized by the famous AT&T advertising campaign in 1979.

Who had the commercial reach out and touch someone?

The commercial “Reach Out and Touch Someone” was created by the advertising agency N.W. Ayer for AT&T. The campaign was launched in 1979 and ran for several years.

What product has the jingle reach out and touch someone?

The jingle “Reach Out and Touch Someone” was created for the AT&T advertising campaign in 1979. The campaign was designed to promote long-distance telephone service, which was a new and exciting technology at the time.

What is the meaning behind the reach out and touch someone slogan?

The meaning behind the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” slogan is to encourage people to connect with each other in a more meaningful way. The slogan was intended to promote the idea that long-distance phone calls could bring people closer together, even if they were physically far apart.

What activity is associated with the reach out and touch someone slogan?

The activity associated with the “Reach Out and Touch Someone” slogan is making a phone call. The slogan was designed to promote the idea that long-distance phone calls could be a powerful way to connect with loved ones, friends, and colleagues, even if they were far away.