Advertising Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: BMW

BMW first starting using this tag in the 1970s and, despite rumours that they intended to drop it in the mid 2000s, it was still being used into the 2010s. The company is based in Munich, with the initials standing for Bavarian Motor Works when translated into English. BMW does make motorcycles as well, but I'm sure the intended gift is a car. All I need to do is decide which model to choose.

Answer: British Airways

The well known British advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi came up with this memorable slogan in 1983, based on British Airways' claim to fly to more different destinations and carry more passengers than any other carrier. The company's slogan was changed around twenty years later to 'the way to fly', but it's the earlier one that is more memorable.

The last time I flew with BA, they upgraded me to first class, so they're certainly favourites with me.

Answer: De Beers

The phrase has become so widely known that it's hard to remember that it was originally just a very clever marketing slogan. De Beers was founded by Cecil Rhodes, the British businessman who represented the UK in the southern areas of Africa. The name came from the brothers who owned the farm in South Africa where diamonds were discovered in the second half of the nineteenth century. Diamonds can be made into rings, earrings or necklaces - I could be spoiled for choice.

Answer: Longines

Longines was founded in 1832, in Switzerland, which is renowned for its watches and clocks. Its logo shows an hourglass, with wings on either side. The slogan 'Elegance is an Attitude' was adopted in 1999, and Agassi and Graf, who are married to each other, are both listed on the company's website as 'Ambassadors of Elegance'. I've ordered a copy of the Longines' brochure, ready to pick out the watch I want.

Answer: Jaguar

This slogan is so old that even I don't remember it, but Jaguar is the only one of the options I gave you that can reasonably be described as catering primarily to the luxury market. The company dates from 1922, when it was called the Swallow Sidecar Company, before branching out into cars. Jaguar models include the XJ range and, perhaps the most memorable, the E-Type, made from 1961 until 1975. One of those, with a big bow, would look great on my drive.

Answer: Calvin Klein

The perfume was brought out in 1985, with Kate Moss fronting the advertising campaign with its memorable slogan. The Calvin Klein company was established in New York in 1968 by the fashion designer bearing that name in partnership with Barry Schwartz.

Initially, the company concentrated on fashion wear, but expanded into other areas, with its men's underwear becoming iconic. I shall have to look out for a box-shaped parcel which might just contain an expensive bottle of 'Obsession'.

Answer: Hitachi

Dating back to 1910, Hitachi is based in Tokyo and sells a range of goods including televisions, cameras and white goods, such as freezers and washing machines. They also manufacture for industry and the medical sector. The slogan may not be quite as well known as some, and always strikes me as needing another word at the end, but Hitachi is the only Japanese company listed. Samsung and LG are based in South Korea while Hisense is Chinese. I hope it won't be a washing machine - a new, wide-screen television would be good, although I might need an extension to fit it in my living room.

Answer: Nikon

Nikon was founded in Tokyo in 1917, and makes a wide range of optical instruments including binoculars, microscopes and lenses, as well as the cameras which most of us would think of when hearing the name. As if they needed any help, Paul Simon gave Nikon a name check in his song 'Kodachrome' in 1973. My photography skills aren't great, so I'll need to sign up for a course if the camera turns up in my stocking.

Answer: Maybelline

The Maybelline company dates back to 1915 and was founded in America. It became part of the French group, Oréal, in 1996. The parent company has its own slogan - 'Because I'm Worth It', while Maybelline has continued to use 'Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline', first adopted in 1991.

The company makes a full range of cosmetics, from foundation and face powder to lipsticks and mascara, so I can look forward to enhancing my appearance if this is my gift.

Answer: Rolo

Rolos consist of a toffee centre covered with chocolate, and were first introduced in 1937 by Mackintoshes. The brand is part of the Nestlé Group now, with Hershey's distributing the product in the USA. The campaign featuring the slogan I quoted ran from 1980 until 2001 - it was, apparently, abandoned as being 'too sentimental' for the hardbitten 2000s.

Other firms have made use of the idea, though, and it is possible to buy solid gold, gold-plated and other versions in the Rolo shape, all claiming to be 'the last one'.