Ads that made history
Dining Room (also known as Dining Room Table) was a television commercial made by the Deutsch Inc. advertising agency for IKEA in It is considered the first television advertisement broadcast in the United States that openly presented a gay couple. [1][2]. Fast forward to , and gay couples featured in advertising no longer seem radical. So why was this such a big deal? IKEA’s iconic “Dining Room”
Never one to shy away from a scandal, controversy or unorthodox marketing scheme, in , Ikea aired a commercial featuring two men shopping for a dining room table, the first major national TV ad to portray a gay couple, well, ever. This week, our throwback ad is a pick from Rich Miles. It was created by Deutsch NY, and although it is from a very different era, it is notable for its progressive approach. 
TV Commercial Featuring Gay Couple Creates a Madison Avenue
The gay stereotype of being fashion-oriented and tastemaker was leveraged in the ads, giving a sort of "Gay Housekeeping Seal of Approval" for IKEA. On this new episode of our Tagline podcast, we close out Pride Month with a look back at the Ikea commercial that was the first mainstream ad ever to feature a gay couple. We chat with many of the folks who worked on the spot at Deutsch—about the bold concept, the unconventional writing and filming, the praise and the backlash, and where we are now, 27 years later, in terms of LGBTQ representation in ads.
This 1994 Ikea Ad Was TV's First
To close out Pride Month, we look back at the charming Ikea commercial that was the first mainstream ad ever to feature a gay couple. We chat with many of the folks who worked on the spot at Deutsch—about the bold concept, the unconventional writing and filming, the praise and the backlash, and where we are now, 27 years later, in terms of LGBTQ representation in ads. A groundbreaking television commercial that depicts two gay men buying furniture is stirring passionate reactions from detractors and supporters--and causing the kind of commotion seldom seen on Madison Avenue. Last week, furniture retailer Ikea began airing an ad in several East Coast markets that shows two clearly identifiable gay men shopping for a dining room table at an Ikea store. How Ikea Made History in 1994 With the First Gay Couple in an Ad
An ad that truly made history On 29th March, , The New York Times wrote as follows: “Ikea is introducing what is believed to be the first general advertising effort in the mainstream media to feature identifiably gay consumers.” Nearly 30 years later (jeez), the advertising industry is still certain that The New York Times was right. Back in , Ikea made advertising history by running the first mainstream commercial featuring a gay couple. But why the time constraint? 
Ikea's History
Deutsch's ad "Dining Room" for Ikea marked a pivotal moment in advertising as the spot shares TV's first gay couple. .
Dining Room (advertisement)
Last week, furniture retailer Ikea began airing an ad in several East Coast markets that shows two clearly identifiable gay men shopping for a dining room table at an Ikea store. . 
Favourite throwbacks
In , IKEA aired their TV ad “Dining Room” and became the first brand to release a mainstream commercial featuring a gay couple. Fast forward to , and gay couples featured in advertising no longer seem radical. In fact, with so many companies jumping at the chance of appealing to an LGBTQ+ audience, it’s hard [ ]. .