Blockbuster’s new ad shows locations where the store is gone but its sign remains

A funny thing happened to many Blockbuster locations when the video chain almost completely shut down nationwide. The businesses that took over the locations sometimes kept the iconic Blockbuster sign, but simply rebranded it. Now, the final Blockbuster store on the planet is paying tribute to those ticket-stub-shaped signs, featuring a bunch of them in the latest commercial for its ongoing “Til the Bitter End” campaign. Atlantic New York, which has been working with the store for a few years, created the new spot. There’s a melancholy feel to it, with the variety of repurposed marquees—from a liquor store, to a beauty supply shop, to a taco restaurant—reminding viewers of the chain’s once-dominant presence. “One way or another, we’ll still be here,” says the excellent end line. “They may be advertising something new, but these signs still scream Blockbuster for those of us who remember, and this video is a tribute to that undying legacy,” said Sandi Harding, manager of the last remaining Blockbuster. “No matter who tries to close us down, or replace us, the Blockbuster brand will always be here.” “So many businesses, from laundromats to liquor stores, use the old Blockbuster sign silhouette. We thought highlighting some of them was the perfect way to remind people that there’s only one Blockbuster left and it’s in Bend, Oregon,” said AO Baker, senior writer at Atlantic New York. More Creativity coverage from Ad Age: Sign up for our daily Creativity newsletter to see the best stories of the day.

Blockbuster’s new ad shows locations where the store is gone but its sign remains

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