Metroactive features an interesting article covering the seemingly recent development of using ‘80s icons in advertising. The article is a pretty thorough, although somewhat too analytical look at what drives this form of advertising, but it does have some valid points. And it has Mr. T. 
As the article points out,
‘Social experts say much of the appeal of nostalgia stems from a longing for a return to simpler times.’ Well, as third-graders everywhere would say, ‘Duh.’ Nostalgia marketing isn’t exactly subtle. It tugs at the basest emotional nerve center: happy memories of childhood.
I found it interesting that Douglas Coupland coined the term “legislated nostalgia,” which refers to “nostalgic images or ideas presented in such a way that even people who weren’t yet born seem to ‘remember’ that time,” which explains why kids who were barely around in the ’80s have latched onto these icons as their own. Get yer own memories, dammit… :-p
