Apple ads among the best of 2007

Pop quiz, hotshot: think back on 2007 and tell me about the most memorable ads you remember seeing all year. Well, according to USA Today, not one but two of Apple’s ad campaigns make the cut. The Mac and PC ads pulled down an award for the best characters/mascots/spokespersons:

Actor Justin Long — the Mac — and comedian John Hodgman — the PC — were stellar in 17 new TV ads this year for Apple computers. The PC (usually in a dorky suit) and the Mac (cool and casually attired) discuss their attributes, with the PC humorously revealing his failure to match up. The ads by TBWA/Chiat/Day masterfully humanize a complex technical comparison.

And, as if that weren’t enough, USA Today also gives “Made me want to buy it now” props to the first series of iPhone ads. And honestly, can you actually think of any higher acclaim for advertising?

An ad ahead of the iPhone’s June 29 release that showcased the functions of Apple’s (AAPL) flashy new gadget stirred lust for the product in hearts far beyond those of famously loyal Applephiles. The ad, created by TBWA/Chiat/Day simply showed a close-up of the phone’s touch screen, with a hand demonstrating how the device shows pictures; organizes, displays and plays your music; shows video; and makes calls.

“Apple gets it,” says William Ward, a marketing professor at Alfred University, Alfred, N.Y. “The ad clearly demonstrates the benefits. Most companies aren’t able to do ‘simple’ — but Apple takes a pretty complicated product and makes it simple.”

Man, we’ve been saying that for years.

Of course, if it’s advertising you’re interested in, you can find a whole breakdown of Apple’s three main ad campaigns by yours truly over at the Mothership, or in the February issue of Macworld (which ought to be hitting newsstands shortly).