The Best Commercials Starring Pencils

Kershaw Throws Pencil Strikes

ESPN recently featured pencils prominently in their commercial for Sports Center.

Apple Plays Off Our Pencil-Related Emotions

So did Apple, for promoting the iPad Air.

Samsung Prods With Their Own Pencil Parody

And then there was the Samsung parody, showcasing the Galaxy.

There’s no doubt about it – pencils look great on television. They’re simple, versatile, brightly colored, and instantly recognizable. They draw the eye, demand attention, and are fun to throw at the ceiling. Pencils are superstars, and why not? They deserve the limelight. These commercials may not be focused on pencils themselves, and yet they still serve as reminders about the many awesome qualities pencils possess.

Apple’s iPad Air commercial is so powerful because the statements made by the commercial’s narrator actually apply to the humble pencil. Unlike the iPad Air, however, pencils never run out of power. You can use them anywhere, even in outer space. You can use a pencil on an airplane any time you want to. You can drop a pencil without fear of its screen cracking, pick it up, and keep using it. You can bring it to a meeting and appear to be taking copious notes while distracting yourself with doodles (not that I’ve ever done this).

I present you with a challenge: turn off ESPN, put down your tablet (unless it’s made of paper), grab a pencil, and see for yourself why the pencil deserves its own commercial singing is praises. Feel like praising pencils? Share your favorite thing about pencils in the comments!

Sean says:

04/30/2014 at 9:37 AM

You wrote another fantastic article cousin! Great job! I’m not big on modern technology, and I think the humble pencil is an excellent example. One can drop it and still use it, one can write in space, it doesn’t use electricity and if I may add, a box of pencils doesn’t cast you $500. I second your notion that pencils deserve praise and their own recognition. Pencils are awesome!

Dave says:

05/20/2014 at 2:02 PM

Here’s a question for you on this topic.
What drafting pencil does the actress who plays an architect put down just before she reaches for a Ghirardelli chocolate in this ad? http://www.ispot.tv/ad/7LJ7/ghirardelli-squares-rendezvous
Is it a Koh-I-Noor?

Alexander Poirier says:

05/20/2014 at 2:21 PM

It looks to me like it’s the Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth, but it’s such a brief glimpse it’s hard to say. You can see that pencil here: http://www.pencils.jp/data/pencil/product/8dfa34034b.JPG