Films: Planet of the Apes, 2001- a Space Odyssey
Books: 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
Music: Jimi Hendrix sings 'All Along the Watchtower'
Events: Martin Luther King shot, French student riots, Mary Bell found guilty
It may have been a year of discontent for young people across the world, but 1968 was a rich year for brands. It was the year enduring advertising icons Captain Birds Eye, the Milktray man and the Dulux dog were created. Not to mention the launch of enduring brands like Pizza Express, Time Out and Calvin Klein.
Remember Watney's Party Seven? Its smaller brother Party Four had been available for some time but Party Seven, the giant can of bitter cracked open with a tin opener created a real splash at parties. "What we want is Watney's." Another British beer, Double Diamond was winning awards for its TV advertising: "A Double Diamond works wonders, works wonders, works wonders. A Double Diamond works wonders, so drink some today!"
Three new advertising mascots were also reaping awards. The clean living old sailor with a white beard, Captain Birdseye launched his long career for Birds Eye frozen food. Meanwhile, the Old English Sheepdog has become so strongly associated with Dulux paint that the breed has become known as the Dulux Dog. The first dog, Shepton Dash starred in the ads for eight years.
The brave and mysterious Milk Tray man delivered boxes of chocolates for 35 years, "All because the lady loves Milk Tray." Actor Ross Champion starred in 11 of the 19 ads between 1968 and 1984.
The first Pizza Express opened in Wardour Street, London, while across the Atlantic Calvin Klein opened a coat shop in the York Hotel, New York. Boom Boom. We were watching Basil Brush, the crazy fox. It was also the year Dad's Army began, "Who do you think you are kidding Mr Hitler," which ran for nine years.
To celebrate our 50th Anniversary, The Marketing Society has selected the 50 brands that shone most brightly in each of the last 50 years. Visit www.50goldenbrands.com to see how we did and get involved. Who have we missed? Where were you? Your involvement will help us finalise the definitive 50 Golden Brands in time for our anniversary in 2009. Already, commentators have nominated Levis and Birds Eye as the golden brand of '68, rather than Cadbury's Milk Tray.