From Piggy Banks to Personal Brands: What a 1980s Midland Bank Ad Can Teach Us About Adding Extra Value...
- The PGS Team
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
There’s something wonderfully unapologetic about 1980s advertising. Bold colours, big smiles, and the quiet confidence that a free pencil case or calculator could secure lifelong brand loyalty.
Take this classic advert from Midland Bank in the 1980s.
The premise was simple:“Young saver, open an account and we’ll give you something brilliant.”
Not an app...Not a dashboard....Not even a personalised onboarding journey.
Just a tangible freebie that said: “We value you. Also, here’s something cool.”
And it worked.
The Freebie Was Never Really the Point
On the surface, Midland Bank was giving away incentives to encourage young people to save. But underneath, they were doing something far smarter:
Creating emotional connection (i'm still referring to this today!)
Adding extra value beyond the core product
Making banking feel friendly, human, and memorable
No jargon...
No buzzwords...
Just a clear understanding of their audience and what would delight them.
Which brings us neatly to corporate speaking and corporate events today.
Fast Forward to Modern Corporate Events 🎤
Today’s advertising (and event marketing) looks very different:
Hyper-targeted ads
Performance metrics
LinkedIn thought leadership
Polished decks and pixel-perfect branding
And yet… many corporate events still forget the Midland Bank principle:
People don’t just remember what you delivered — they remember how it made them feel.
A keynote speaker can be brilliant....An event can be flawlessly produced....
But without that extra something, it risks becoming just another calendar entry.
Adding Value: Then vs Now
1980s Midland Bank | Corporate Events Today |
Free pencil case | Curated speaker insight |
Fun, tangible reward | Practical takeaways |
Emotional hook | Memorable experience |
Simple message | Clear purpose |
The modern equivalent of the freebie isn’t a branded tote bag (although those still have their place).
It’s:
A speaker who tailors their message to the audience
Insight attendees can use the very next day
A moment that sparks conversation long after the event ends
That’s where true value can be added - not just by booking talent, but by enhancing the entire experience.
What We’ve Learned from the 80s (Yes, Really!)
The Midland Bank ad reminds us that:
Value doesn’t have to be complicated
Audiences appreciate effort, thought, and generosity
Loyalty is built when people feel seen and rewarded
In today’s world, extra value might look like:
Helping clients choose speakers who solve real business challenges
Supporting event themes with storytelling and structure
Ensuring every session answers the unspoken question:“Why was this worth my time?”
The Takeaway
In the 1980s, a free gift helped turn children into savers - In 2026, added value turns attendees into advocates.
The tools have changed...The platforms have changed.
The hairstyles… thankfully, have changed.
But the principle hasn’t.
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