Blast from the past

Anheuser-Busch joins Mercedes-Benz in trying to reach consumers with nostalgia. The brewer’s ad shows a mountain man opening a can of Busch beer to the sound of “Buschhhhh.” It’s a nod to the brand’s ad campaign, introduced in 1978, which lasted for decades.

Meanwhile, Bud Light is bringing back the ghost of its 1980s spokesdog Spuds Mackenzie — literally. In its ad, the dog appears as a ghost dangling in the air, urging a Bud Light drinker to go out and join his friends, like the ghosts in the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol.”

And P&G sexes up its Mr. Clean mascot, introduced as an animated character in 1958. In the new ad , he distracts a woman as he cleans her kitchen.

“Emotions are the secret sauce of getting people to do things, and nostalgia is a great reason for people to pay attention,” says Devra Prywes of video analytics firm Unruly.

its new bottled water called LifeWTR and its sugar-free soft drink, Pepsi Zero Sugar. Bai Brands investor Justin Timberlake helps promote the company’s antioxidant-infused drinks. And one of Wonderful Co.’s 15-second ads promotes the health benefits of its pistachios.

Avocados from Mexico is focusing on its “healthy fats” in a humorous ad showing a secret society subliminally influenced by Jon Lovitz to chow down on guacamole.