Remember those awesome print ads from the 1950s and 60s? They had sharp wordplay and clever visuals that are still cool today. But in our video-crazy world, those static images can seem a bit dated. That’s where Selim Ünlüsoy, the new global head of AI at Italian ad agency LePub, comes in. He’s using artificial intelligence to give these vintage ads a fresh spin.

Ünlüsoy shared a super cool video on LinkedIn, showcasing some iconic print ads brought to life with AI animation. You can check the original post here. Set to the catchy tune of RJD2’s “Beautiful Mind” from Mad Men, this video mixes nostalgia with modern tech. He used Dream Machine, an AI tool from startup Luma AI, to create these animations. Luma AI has also made a splash by animating popular memes, showing off their tech’s potential.

source: LinkedIn

One of the highlights in the video is Doyle Dane Bernbach’s classic VW Beetle ad from 1959, where the Beetle drives right off the page. Another fun one is the 1962 Campbell’s “Soup on the rocks” ad, with the soup actually pouring into the glass.

But not everything’s perfect. Nothing really is. Sometimes, the AI’s touch is too obvious, like the way the glass fills inconsistently in the “Soup on the rocks” ad or the changing fingers on the glove in Apple’s 1984 “Test drive a Macintosh” ad. In Kodak’s 1972 Pocket camera ad, the model turns to show ad copy on her sweater, while two people in the background hold a camera the AI imagined.

Some ads don’t get much from the animation treatment. For example, the animated version of Penn’s 1988 French Open ad just pans over a tennis ball shaped like a croissant. It adds perspective, but you have to wonder what AI really brings to the table if it’s just about adding some motion. Despite its quirks, AI opens up cool possibilities for creatives. AI can enhance and animate, but its real magic lies in subtle, thoughtful touches that stay true to the original vibe.

In a nutshell, AI is giving us a fun new way to revisit and rethink classic print ads. While the tech isn’t perfect, it’s sparking creativity and innovation in advertising. Ünlüsoy’s project shows how blending nostalgia with modern technology can create engaging and visually compelling experiences, proving that clever never goes out of style.