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The first Bondi blue iMac, Sillybandz, and trading Pokémon cards. Feeling nostalgic yet? These three things have one characteristic in common: they were all around when millennials were kids. As most of our likes and dislikes come from childhood impressions, those who grew up in the '90s will always have a soft spot for these things.

Luckily, there are pages online that preserve our memory of this iconic decade. Like the "I was born in the 1990s" Facebook page, dedicated to nostalgic content relevant to that era. With its 1 million followers, it boasts a community of like-minded '90s kids hungry for a taste of their wonderful formative years.

Since everything these days seems to be about nostalgia, from movie remakes to old-school Nokias coming back in style, Bored Panda sought some expertise about using '90s nostalgia in marketing. Social media marketing guru Peg Fitzpatrick kindly agreed to tell us more about the power of the '90s in marketing. Read her expert insights below!

More info: Peg Fitzpatrick | The Art Of Small Business Social Media | Instagram

#1

Born-In-The-90s-Posts

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BrunoVI
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5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depression, poverty and hopelessness seen through the eyes of a child.

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    #3

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    sbj
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I used to love it when I saw teacher pushing the trolley into the classroom as it meant the next hour would be pure bliss as it was such a treat

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    "Nostalgia is like a time-traveling magnet for consumer behavior," says Peg Fitzpatrick, a social media marketing consultant for small businesses. "It doesn't just tug at heartstrings; it wraps them around entire marketing strategies."

    "People love revisiting the '90s because it was a simpler time of slap bracelets and dial-up internet—nostalgia taps into that longing for the good ol' days. Social media marketers can wield this powerful tool by creating content that resonates with these fond memories, from throwback ads to retro-themed product launches. After all, who wouldn't want to relive the days of TGIF and neon scrunchies?" Peg asks.

    #5

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    xolitaire
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nokia 3310. Not just a phone, but also a weapon if necessary. Battery time is a thing of legend

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    #6

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    xolitaire
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok yeah I remember making CDs like this, but making a good mixTAPE? Was so much more work

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    "Nostalgia isn't just a wistful glance in the rearview mirror; it's a powerhouse in consumer behavior that marketers can't ignore," Peg explains the psychology behind using nostalgia for marketing.

    "It taps into our innate desire for connection and comfort, transporting us back to when things seemed simpler and more carefree. Whether it's reminiscing about Saturday morning cartoons or the thrill of collecting Pokémon cards, nostalgia evokes strong emotions and a sense of longing for the past."

    #8

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    Moltar
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Forget about Sodor! We fight the decepticons now! Toot-Toot! Thomas sighed, resigning to the energon of his captors will.

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    According to Fitzpatrick, nostalgia works so well in marketing because it feels so personal. "From a marketing perspective, nostalgia serves as a powerful tool to engage audiences on a deeper level."

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    "Brands can leverage nostalgia to create authentic connections with consumers by tapping into shared cultural experiences and memories. This can be seen in campaigns that resurrect iconic '90s brands or icons, evoking a sense of familiarity and nostalgia that resonates with both longtime fans and younger generations," Peg points out.

    Nostalgia is also a good way to build brand loyalty. "When consumers associate positive emotions with a brand's nostalgic elements, they are more likely to develop a strong affinity for that brand and remain loyal over time," Peg explains. "This emotional connection goes beyond product features or pricing—it's about fostering a relationship built on shared experiences and values."

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    #13

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    We were all jealous of someone who had this at school

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    Moltar
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    mine never lasted long in that organised way for long, i remember jagged heavy plastic edges on the case fr

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    Social media makes it even easier for brands to harvest nostalgia. "[It allows] brands to engage with consumers in real-time conversations about their favorite memories and cultural touchstones," Peg says.

    "Whether through throwback posts, retro-themed campaigns, or limited-edition reissues of classic products, marketers can create immersive brand experiences that tap into the universal appeal of nostalgia."

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    #18

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    Cat Chat
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, bought many Polly Pocket stuff for my kids back then. Gosh, I am old.

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    "Ultimately, nostalgia in marketing isn't just about looking back; it's about creating meaningful connections that resonate with consumers' emotions and values," Peg emphasizes. "By harnessing the power of nostalgia responsibly and authentically, brands can turn fond memories into enduring brand loyalty and advocacy."

    Surprisingly, those born in the 2000s and even the 2010s love the '90s, too. They're as responsive (if not more) to '90s nostalgia campaigns as millennials are. The pop music "It" girl of Gen Z, Olivia Rodrigo, for example, masterfully uses her love for the '90s aesthetics both in her music and in her marketing campaigns.

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    Peg takes Ulta Beauty's Hello Kitty campaign as another example. According to her, it exemplifies the art of blending timeless appeal with contemporary flair. "From themed makeup collections to skincare products adorned with Hello Kitty motifs, these campaigns capture the hearts of both longtime fans and new audiences alike."

    "By tapping into cultural icons that transcend generations, brands can forge connections that go beyond mere consumerism, fostering a sense of nostalgia and community."

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    #25

    Born-In-The-90s-Posts

    Great game for 5 minutes max

    iwasborninthe1990s Report

    So, do the '90s no longer belong to the people who actually grew up in the nineties? "Demographics in '90s nostalgia are as diverse as a Saved by the Bell reunion episode," Peg quips.

    "Sure, millennials who grew up with Game Boys and Tamagotchis are prime targets. But don't underestimate the allure for Gen Z and even Gen Xers—they're all craving a taste of that Walkman-wearing, Beanie Baby-collecting era."

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    #30

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    Moltar
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yep, or in a lil line at the windy desk mounted one at the front. "mine broke again miss!"

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    Flip phones, Tamagotchis, and cassettes coming back in fashion has little to do with when people were born, apparently. "Nostalgia in marketing isn't just about age," Peg confirms. "It's about tapping into shared cultural touchstones that transcend generations. After all, who doesn't smile at the thought of Blockbuster Friday nights and dial-up internet woes?"

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    #35

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    Robert T
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. I had a phone sock instead. It was a penguin. It had a sticky out beak. :D

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    #42

    Born-In-The-90s-Posts

    Loved mine

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    #49

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    BoredPossum
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nowadays you're culrucified as a terrible person if you let your 10 year old alone for 5 minutes.

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    #51

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    Frogspawn
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah man, I had this one. I used it for my Beanie Babies though, who the heck likes people! That table top flipped so you could see breakfast in one side and a table setting on the other. The toilet and fridge even opened.

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    #53

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    Me
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even as a kid I didn't really get it why everyone was so obsessed with these

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    #57

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    Alex
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's because the texture softens from the air permeated through the box because it's much more porous creating more of a chewy texture

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    #58

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    Cat Chat
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is this supposed to be a reference to James and the Giant Peach? I'm clueless, otherwise.

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    #59

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    Nadine Debard
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In France, air carabin with salt, wheat seed or even pellet. Some farmers were mad.

    Biytemii
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I lived on nc by a farm with a grumpy old man and he literally used to fire warning ahots when he caught us on his land....

    xolitaire
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scream at you and threaten to call your parents, yes. Shoot? With what?

    Deeelite
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was a scare tactic your friends told you to make going into the field more "risky" usually you would just get yelled at

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    A Something
    Community Member
    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually did have an old boy farmer who would and did use his BB rifle at kids walking on his land growing up. He got me a few times. Farmers in the UK can own BB and shot rifles for pest control

    Nix
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think most of us learned that from television, though. As an adult, I realized that if a farmer saw a kid in one of their fields, they'd likely just shrug and carry on, not immediately be filled with homicidal rage.

    karen Young
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had cows between two neighborhoods. Cows usually also have a bull or 2. And they were out to get any kids! Lol. They were chill.

    Chris Rapoza
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been shot at with rock salt from a shotgun for fishing where I wasn't supposed to be( deep east Texas in the late 80's

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    #60

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    Biytemii
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine smelled like beer I was in my late teens and we would play and drink and it finally stopped working from m having so many damn drinks spilled on it

    #61

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    Sue
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOL I was thinking they don't taste like biscuits then realized they must be from England.

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    #63

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    Amy Smith
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    5 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh wow! I feel ancient. Mum has a MASSIVE box of Happy Meal toys in her loft - mainly unwrapped that were sent to her as an apology by Mcdonalds in the mid 90s when she complained after they forgot the cake for one of our birthday parties... She can't remember whose. There is some awesome stuff in there

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    #65

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    #67

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    James016
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Freddos!!!! Incidentally the price of a freddo is how we measure inflation.

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    #68

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    BoredPossum
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A gun for mustard? I'm fairly sure this wasn't a thing in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, Australia, Antarctis, Arktis, Africa, Tattooine or Dagobah.

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    #71

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    rckblykitn
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dear god. I worked at Claire's in 03-04. These stupid things were add ons at the register and there was a different one every month. We had to push them so friggin hard.

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    #73

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    James016
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    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He was not from back in the day. John Craven was from back in the day and the OG. This is Newsround which is a news/current affairs programme in the UK aimed at children

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