List of American advertising characters
This is a list of notable nationally exposed mascots and characters created specifically for advertising purposes, listed alphabetically by the product they represent.
Product | Character | Years used | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
A&W Root Beer | The Great Root Bear | debuted 1974 | |
Aflac insurance | The Aflac duck | 2000–present | voiced by Gilbert Gottfried until 2011, when he was fired for making offensive comments about the earthquake in Japan that happened early that year. The duck is now voiced by Daniel McKeague.[1] |
Ajax cleanser | The Ajax pixies | 1948–1950s | speaking voices are Joe Silver, Hans Conreid and June Foray |
Ajax detergent | The White Knight | debuted 1963 | |
Alka-Seltzer | Speedy Alka-Seltzer | 1952–1964, 2010–present | voiced by Dick Beals |
Allstate insurance | Mayhem | 2010–present | actor Dean Winters |
Ally Bank | Bank Executive (aka focus group marketer) | debuted 2009 | Candid Camera-type setting; Tricks real unsuspecting children with offers and leaves them hurt or upset after adding rules and fees. Played by RJ Kelly. |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Loveable Truly | 1964 – early 1970s | postman (voiced by Jim Nabors |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Alpha-Bits Wizard | 1970s–1980s | wizard |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Alfie the Alpha-Bits Cereal Wonder Dog | 1980s | |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Alpha | 2000s–present | computer who makes Alpha-Bits |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Alpha Pig; Princess Presto; Super Why; Wooster; Wonder Red | 2012–present | CG-animated children stars of "Super Why" from PBS |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Kids | 1970s–1990s | |
Alpha-Bits cereal | Alphabet letters | 1990s–early 2000s | animated Letters who are in cereal |
AMC Theatres | Clip | 1991–2009 | figure made out of discarded movie film who appears in the 'coming attractions' and 'feature presentation' trailers seen at AMC movie theaters. |
AMC Theatres | AMC Amazing Icons | 2012–present | icons originally appeared in policy trailers advising audience that "it's movie time, not phone-talking time"; later appeared in the 'coming soon' and 'it's movie time!' trailers seen at AMC movie theaters as CGI characters. |
American Tourister luggage | luggage-mauling gorilla | 1970–1980s | |
Ameritrade brokerage firm | Stuart | 1999 | known for quotes like "Let's light this candle!" played by Michael C. Maronna |
Anderson's Soup | The Anderson's Soup "non-identical twins," Happy and Pee-Wee | debuted 1957 | voiced by Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding |
Arby's restaurants | Oven Mitt | 2003–2006 | voiced by Tom Arnold |
Ask.com | Jeeves | 1996–2006 | |
AT&T | Lily, the AT&T Store manager | 2013–present | informs customers about AT&T's sharing plans, played by Milana Vayntrub |
Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup | Aunt Jemima | 1893–present | |
Bacardi Rum | Bacardi & Cola | 2003 | |
Bardahl engine additive | Dirty Sludge, Sticky Valve, Gummy Ring, Blackie Carbon | 1953 | |
Bartles & Jaymes wine coolers | Frank Bartles and Ed Jaymes | 1985–1991 | played by David Joseph Rufkahr (Bartles) and Dick Maugg (Jaymes) |
Big Boy restaurants | Big Boy | live-action spots in the 1970s by Jonathan Winters | |
BMW X5 | The grandmother in the back seat | 2015–present | irritates her entire family with exaggerated stories while the parents are driving |
Bonny Maid floor cover products | the Bonny Maid | 1949–1950 | played by Anne Francis |
Boo Berry cereal | Boo Berry | 1972–present | |
Borden | Elsie the cow | 1938–present | |
Boubin Auto shop | Boubin Bear | late 1980s–present | large bear wearing a hat, vest, and jeans. He holds his jeans up and tips his hat while saying "It's the bear facts, folks!" Voiced by Andy Aasgaard. |
Bounty paper towels | Rosie the waitress | 1970–1990 | played by Nancy Walker |
BP Connect Gas Stations | The "A Little Better Gas Station" Crew | 2007–present | plays to the song LA by Message of the Blues |
Bubble Yum bubble gum | Floyd D. Duck | ||
Bud Ice beer | Bud Ice penguin | 1996 | known for ominously singing "Doo-be-doo-be-doo..." |
Bud Light beer | Spuds MacKenzie | 1987–1990 | |
Bud Light beer | Johnny, the Bud Light guy | 1995 | known for catchphrase "I love you, ma-a-a-n!"; played by Rob Roy Fitzgerald |
Budweiser beer | Budweiser Frogs | 1990s | One frog says "Bud," another says "weis," and a third says "er." This is often repeated throughout the company's ads, in that order. |
Budweiser beer | Frank and Louie, lizards | 1998 | main adversaries to the Budweiser frogs. |
Budweiser beer | Budweiser Clydesdales | 1930s-present | usually pulling a hitch of Budweiser with a Dalmatian riding in it. Also appear playing football against each other. |
Burger Chef restaurants | Burger Chef and Jeff | 1954–1996 | voiced by Paul Winchell |
Burger King restaurants | The Burger King | 1974–1990, 2004–2011;2016–present[2] | |
Burger King restaurants | Sir Shake-A-Lot | 1976–1980 | knight who craved milk shakes |
Burger King restaurants | The Burger Thing | 1976–1980 | large hamburger puppet |
Burger King restaurants | The Duke of Doubt | 1976–1980 | arch-nemesis of the Burger King |
Burger King restaurants | The Wizard of Fries | 1976–1980 | robot powered by french fries |
Burger King restaurants | Burger King Kids Club Gang | 1990–mid-2000s | Kid Vid, a blond Caucasian male who loved video games and technology; he was the leader of the group. Boomer, a sports loving Caucasian tomboy with red hair tied into a ponytail. I.Q., a male Caucasian nerd with ginger hair and freckles who wore red glasses, a green lab coat, and a pocket protector. Jaws, a tall African-American male with an insatiable appetite. J.D., a dog and the group's mascot. Lingo, a multi-lingual, Hispanic male who liked art and carried an easel. Snaps, a blonde Caucasian female who always carried her camera. Wheels, a Caucasian paraplegic male in a wheelchair. Jazz, an Asian girl who loved music and wore a beret. (Jazz added in 2000) |
Burger King restaurants | Herb | 1985 | played by John Merrick |
Burger King restaurants | Fighting chickens Spicy and TC | 2004 | |
Bush's baked beans | Duke the Dog | 1993–present | Jay Bush's canine companion who always tries to sell his owner's secret recipe; voiced by Robert Cait |
Buster Brown shoes | Buster Brown and his dog Tige | 1904–present | live-action spots by Jerry Marin |
California Raisin Advisory Board | the California Raisins | debuted 1987 | singin' dancin' California raisins |
Carfax | CAR FOX | Debuted 2008 | helps people buy used cars |
Camel cigarettes | Joe Camel | 1987–1997 | |
Campbell's Soup | The Campbell's Soup kids | debuted 1904 | |
Capital One | Mr. No | 2000s | played by David Spade |
Cap'n Crunch cereal | Cap'n Crunch | 1963–present | created by Jay Ward Productions; originally voiced by Daws Butler |
Carling Black Label beer | Mabel the waitress | 1950s | played by Jean Goodspeed (1951 through mid-1950s) |
Carl's Jr. restaurants | The Carl's Jr. Star | 1960s–present | has become Western U.S. counterpart of Hardee's |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Maria | 2013–present | host of the cooking show "Recipes for Disaster," in which she uses old family recipes but does not follow food safety properly, and her husband is aware of this as he avoids eating the cooked meals; those who do later suffer food poisoning as pointed out on screen or by the announcer. |
Charmin bathroom tissue | Mr. Whipple | 1965–1989 | played by Dick Wilson |
Chef Boyardee canned pastas | Chef Boyardee | based on company founder Hector Boiardi | |
Cheetos snacks | Chester Cheetah | 1986–present | voiced by Pete Stacker |
Chevrolet Camaro | Bumblebee | 2007–present | part of cross-promotion with the Transformers film series; also used in a television ad and sold as a level trim in the Camaro option features |
Chevrolet Tahoe | The Babysitter | 2014 | teenager who demands more money after the mother takes her home in the family's new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and believes that they are worth more after she sees the features. |
Chevron (Standard Oil of California) | Hy Finn | debuted 1958 | voiced by Paul Ford |
Chevron | the Chevron Cars | 1995–present | |
Chick-fil-A | The Chick-fil-A cows | 1995–present | known for the catchphrase "Eat Mor Chikin" (sic) |
Chicken of the Sea tuna | Chicken of the Sea mermaid | 1952–present | voiced by Darla Hood in TV commercials |
Chiffon Margarine | Mother Nature | 1970s–1980s | best known for catchphrase "It's Not Nice To Fool Mother Nature!" Played by Dena Dietrich; Voice-over by Mason Adams |
Chiquita bananas | Miss Chiquita Banana | 1944–present | |
Chuck E. Cheese restaurants | Chuck E. Cheese | 1977–present | voiced by Duncan Brannan until 2012 when he was replaced by Jaret Reddick (due to the revamp of Chuck E.) however Brannan's voice was still used for Chuck E Cheese Animatronic and music video shows (in studio C), that are shown inside the restaurants until late 2012. |
Cinemark movie theaters | Front Row Joe | 1988–1999, 2004–2011 | animated cat; sidekicks over the years have included Starstruck Penny (originally Popcorn Penny) and Clyde |
Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal | Wendell, the Cinnamon Toast Crunch chef | ||
Cisco Systems | The 'citizens' of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia | 2010–present | fictionalized version of the real town as visited by Canadian actress Ellen Page, a native Nova Scotian |
Coca-Cola drink | Famous American Drink | 1892–present | |
Cocoa Puffs cereal | Sonny the Cuckoo Bird | 1960s–present | originally voiced by Chuck McCann |
Cocoa and Fruity Pebbles | The Flintstones characters | 1970–Present | |
Columbia Pictures | The Columbia Torch Lady | 1924–present | |
Comet cleanser | Josephine the plumber | 1960s–1970s | played by Jane Withers |
Comcast | The Slowskys | 1997–present | pair of turtles (living as a married couple in the suburbs) who favor DSL over High Speed internet; voiced by Andrew Donnelly and Rachael Harris; inspired Shaw Communications' The Snailskis in Canada. |
Condomman.com | Condom Man | 2003–present | |
Consumer Cellular | Jack and Connie | 2011–present | retired couple who travel across the country in a RV |
Cookie Crisp cereal | Cookie Jarvis | 1977–85 | |
Cookie Crisp cereal | Cookie Crook | 1981–97 | |
Cookie Crisp cereal | Cookie Cop | 1985–97 | |
Cookie Crisp cereal | Chip the Dog | 1991–2005 | |
Cookie Crisp cereal | Chip the Wolf | 2005–present | |
Cool Whip dessert topping | Sarah Tucker | 1960s | played by Marge Redmond |
Coors Light beer | Coors Light Twins | played by Diane and Elaine Klimaszewski | |
Coppertone sun-care products | The Coppertone Girl | 1944–present | |
Corn Flakes cereal | Cornelius the rooster | originally voiced by Dallas McKennon, voiced in 1960s by Andy Devine | |
Count Chocula cereal | Count Alfred Chocula | 1971–present | |
Cracker Jack | Sailor Jack and his dog, Bingo | 1918–present | |
Cream of Wheat hot cereal | Rastus the Cook | 1890–present | believed to be from a photograph of Frank L. White, a Chicago chef who reportedly was paid five dollars to pose in a chef's hat and jacket. |
Crest toothpaste | Arthur Goodwin, pharmacist | 1970s | played by Arthur O'Connell |
Crows | Crows Candy Mascot | 1910s-present | Crow who has a fetish for top hats and canes |
Dell computers | Steven Jackson | 2000–2003 | known for quotes like "Dude, you got a Dell"; played by Benjamin Curtis |
Diet Coke | Diet Coke hunk | 1990s | played by Lucky Vanous |
DirecTV | "Alternative" Rob Lowe | 2014–present | Rob Lowe in dual roles |
DirecTV | Hannah Davis and her talking horse | 2015–present | model Hannah Davis pitching DirecTV on a beach accompanied by a talking horse who brags about himself ("The Horse's Mouth" as alluded by Davis) |
DirecTV | "Alternative" NFL players | 2015–present | part of NFL Sunday Ticket campaign, with NFL players in dual roles similar to Lowe's |
DirecTV | The Settlers | 2016–present | pioneering family who refuses to switch from cable |
Discover Card | Peggy | 2009–present | actually, "Peggy" is a bearded guy with a foreign accent (Romanian) who works at "USA Prime Credit," a sham credit company located in a unknown frozen location who preys on its customers trying to get information on their credit cards. Played by Romanian-American actor Tudor Petrut. |
Dish Network | The Hopper family | 2012–present | Boston-area family pronounces it "Hoppa." |
Ditech | Ned the Banker | 2002–2006 | played by Ron Michaelson; shouts the catch phrase "Lost another loan to Ditech!" Now the mascot for CashCall Mortgage |
Domino's Pizza | The Noid | 1980s–1990s | voiced by Pons Maar |
Doublemint chewing gum | Doublemint Twins | ||
Dos Equis | The Most Interesting Man in the World | 2006–present | Played by Jonathan Goldsmith from 2006–2016; replaced by Augustin Legrand in 2016 |
Dreyfus investments | Major, the Dreyfus lion | debuted 1960s | |
Dunkin' Donuts | Fred the baker | 1981–1997 | known for quote "Time to make the donuts"; played by Michael Vale |
Duracell batteries | The Puttermans | 1990s | |
Dutch Boy Paint | The Dutch boy | 1907–present | |
Electricity generation | Reddy Kilowatt | 1926–present | used by up to 300 investor-owned utilities world-wide from 1926, although use declined in the 1970s and few remain. Voiced by Walter Tetley in two short films. |
Energizer batteries | Jacko | late-1980s | known for catchphrase "Oi!"; played by Australian footballer Mark 'Jacko' Jackson |
Energizer batteries | Energizer Bunny | 1989–present | |
Esso/Exxon | The Esso tiger/the Exxon tiger | debuted 1964 | See ExxonMobil website |
Esurance | Erin Esurance | 2004–2011 | animated spy |
Eveready batteries | Eveready "9 lives" cat | debuted c. 1920s–1930s | |
Fanta (US only) | Fantanas | 2002–present | fictional spokesmodels; sings musical catchphrase "Don'cha Wanna, Wanta Fanta!" Four incarnations since its debut |
Federal Express | Mr. Spleen, fast-talking executive | 1982 | played by John Moschitta, Jr. |
Florida Citrus Commission | Florida Orange Bird | 1970s | created by Walt Disney Productions |
Flying "A" service stations | Axelrod the dog | 1960s | |
Ford auto | The Ford dog | debuted 1952 | |
Franken Berry cereal | Franken Berry | 1971–present | |
Frank's Red Hot Sauce | Ethel the cook | 2011–present | elderly woman who uses the catchphrase "I Put That S*** on Everything!" in front of the people who taste her food after basting it with the sauce. |
FreeCreditReport.com | the FreeCreditReport band Victorious Secrets | 2006–2010; 2012–present (former) 2010–present (latter) | The lead singer in the FCR band was played by French-Canadian actor-singer Eric Violette. Violette's singing voice was lip-synced by another singer because of Violette's thick Francophone accent. In 2010 the group Victorious Secrets won a contest to replace the faux band in a new series of ads. In 2012 the faux band returned in a new series of ads. |
French Toast Crunch cereal | Wendell the baker | 1995–late 1990s | |
Frito-Lay snacks | Frito Bandito | 1960s | voiced by Mel Blanc |
Frito-Lay snacks | The Frito Spokesbag | 2012–present | |
Fruit Stripe chewing gum | Yipes, the Fruit Stripe Zebra | 1962–present | |
GEICO | the Geico gecko | 1999–present | voiced by Kelsey Grammer, Dave Kelly, Richard Steven Horvitz, Jake Wood, and others |
GEICO | the GEICO Cavemen | 2004–present | played by Jeff Daniel Phillips, Ben Weber, John Lehr, and Ben Wilson |
GEICO | Maxwell, The GEICO pig | 2010–present | |
General Mills | Betty Crocker | 1921–present | |
Gerber baby products | The Gerber baby | 1927–present | sketched by Dorothy Hope Smith, depicts four-month-old neighbor Ann Turner |
Gillette Blue Blade razors | Sharpie the parrot | 1952–1960 | |
Gold Dust Washing Powder | The Gold Dust Twins | 1880s–1940s | |
Golden Corral | The Quisenberrys | 2015 | |
Good & Plenty candy | Choo-Choo Charlie | 1950–1960s | |
Gorton's of Gloucester Fish products | Gorton's Fisherman | 1964–present | |
Granny Goose snacks | Granny Goose | ||
Green Giant vegetables | Jolly Green Giant | 1928–present | originally voiced by Herschel Bernardi; has been done recently by Len Carlson |
Green Giant vegetables | Little Green Sprout | ||
Greyhound Lines | The running Greyhound | 1937–present | also used a live greyhound in TV promotions. |
Hamburger Helper | The Helping Hand | debuted 1977 | voiced by Patrick Coyle |
Hamm's Beer | Hamm's Beer bear | debuted 1952 | |
Hardee's restaurants | The Hardee's Star | debuted 1997 | |
The Hartford insurance | the Hartford Elk | debuted 1974 | |
Hawaiian Punch | Punchy (the Hawaiian Punch Guy), and Oaf/Opie | debuted 1961 | |
Honda | Mr. Opportunity | 2004–2011[3] | |
Honda | Strawberry Shortcake | 2014 | CGI doll version of the character |
Honey Nut Cheerios cereal | Buzz the bee | originally voiced by Arnold Stang | |
Hotpoint home appliances | Happy Hotpoint | debuted 1955 | played by Mary Tyler Moore |
Hubba Bubba bubble gum | The Hubba-Bubba Gum Fighter | debuted 1979 | |
ICEE frozen drinks | ICEE Polar Bear | ||
Ipana toothpaste | Bucky Beaver | 1957–1959 | voiced by Jimmie Dodd |
Isuzu auto | Joe Isuzu | 1986–1990 | played by David Leisure |
Italian Swiss Colony wine | Little old winemaker | 1960s | played by Ludwig Stössel, voiced by Jim Backus |
Jack in the Box restaurants | Jack, the ping-pong-ball-headed man | 1993 present | |
Jax Beer | Elephant and Bartender | Late 1950s and early 1960s | voiced by Mike Nichols and Elaine May |
Jell-O gelatin | Chinese baby | debuted 1959 | voiced by Allen Swift |
Jelly Belly jelly beans | Mr. Jelly Belly | 1996–present | |
Keds shoes | Kedso the Clown | ||
Keds shoes | Kolonel Keds | ||
Keds shoes | Kaptain Keds and Kedzam | ||
Keebler snacks | Ernie Keebler and the Keebler elves | 1968–present | Ernie voiced by Parley Baer for many years |
Kellogg's Apple Jacks cereal | Cinnamon & Apple | mid-2000s-present | |
Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal | Toucan Sam | 1952–present | voiced by Mel Blanc, Paul Frees, Maurice LaMarche |
Kellogg's Froot Loops cereal | Puey, Susey, Louis | 1994–present | Toucan Sam's nephews |
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes cereal | Tony the Tiger | 1951 | voiced by Dal McKennon, Thurl Ravenscroft and now Lee Marshall |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Cliffy the Clown | 1953 - 1956 | |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Smaxey the Seal | 1957 - 1961 | |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Quick Draw McGraw | 1961 - 1965 | |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | The Smackin' Bandit | 1965 | half-mule half-kangaroo who kissed everyone in sight |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | The Smackin' Brothers | 1966 – early 1970s | two boys dressed in boxing shorts and boxing gloves |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Indian Chief | early 1970s | |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Dig 'Em Frog | 1972–1986, 1987–present | originally voiced by Howard Morris |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Love Smack's | 1982 | heart shaped dog who hugged children |
Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal | Wally the Bear | 1986–1987 | |
Kellogg's Pop-Tarts | Milton the Toaster | 1970s–1980s | voiced by William Schallert |
Kellogg's Raisin Bran cereal | Sunny the sun | 1966–present | originally voiced by Daws Butler |
Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal | Snap, Crackle and Pop | 1928–present | |
Kellogg's Sugar Pops cereal | Sugar Pops Pete | 1950s | |
Keystone Light beer | Keith Stone | 2009–present | |
KFC restaurants | Colonel Sanders | Colonel Harland Sanders founded Kentucky Fried Chicken and eventually became its mascot; a later cartoon version was voiced by Randy Quaid. | |
Kia Soul | Hip-Hop Hamsters | 2010–present | lip-synchs to Black Sheep's 1992 single "The Choice Is Yours." The Hamsters later updated their style to coincide with the Soul's added features. |
Kia Forte | The HotBot | 2013–present | played by Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella |
Kia Optima | Morpheus | 2014–present | actor Laurence Fishburne reprising his character from The Matrix |
Kid Cuisine meals | K.C. Penguin | ||
Kleenex table napkins | Manners the butler | 1957–1950s | played by Richard Cutting |
Kool cigarettes | Willie the Kool penguin | debuted 1930s | has a wife named Millie |
Kool-Aid drink mixes | Kool-Aid Man | 1975–present | |
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese | Cheesasaurus Rex | ||
Kraft Singles cheese | Dairy Fairy | debuted 1980s | |
Lee Jeans | Buddy Lee doll | 1998–present | based on the doll who debuted in 1921 |
Life cereal | Little Mikey, the freckled-face kid | 1972–1981 | played by John Gilchrist |
Little Caesars pizza | Little Caesar | ||
Lucky Charms cereal | Lucky the Leprechaun | 1964–present | originally voiced by Arthur Anderson |
M&M's candy | Red and Yellow M&M's characters | 1960s–present | originally voiced by Don Messick and Stan Freberg now voiced by Billy West and J.K. Simmons, respectively |
M&M's candy | Blue and Green M&M's characters | 1996–present (Blue),1997–Present (Green) | Blue originally voiced by Phil Hartman now Rob Pruitt; Green voiced by Cree Summer |
M&M's candy | Orange M&M's character | 1998–present | voiced by Eric Kricberger |
M&M's candy | Brown M&M's character | 2010–present | voiced by Vanessa Williams |
Mad magazine | Alfred E. Neuman | 1954–present | |
Malektronic | Rocketman | 2014–present | |
Malt-O-Meal cereal | Cool Blue and Li'l Oaty | 1998–present | |
Marlboro cigarettes | the Marlboro Man | debuted 1954 | Wayne McLaren died 1992 Lung cancer David McLean, died 1995 Lung cancer Dick Hammer, died 1998 Lung cancer Eric Lawson died 2014 COPD |
Mattel toys | Matty Mattel and Sisterbelle | 1959–1962 | |
Maypo | Marky Maypo | 1956–present | created by Storyboard, Inc. (John Hubley) |
Maytag home appliances | Ol' Lonely, the Maytag repairman | debuted 1967 | played by Jesse White (1967–1988), Gordon Jump (1988–2003), Hardy Rawls (2003–present) |
The McClatchy Company | Scoopy, Gabby and TeeVee, The McClatchy Bees | 1943–present | created by Walt Disney Productions; Scoopy is the mascot for the Sacramento Bee, Modesto Bee and Fresno Bee newspapers; Gabby was the radio mascot for McClatchy's former radio stations and TeeVee was the television mascots of now CBS O&O KOVR-TV/Sacramento and Granite's NBC affiliate KMJ-TV (now KSEE-TV)/Fresno. |
McDonald's restaurants | Ronald McDonald | 1959–present | originally played in Washington, D.C. by Willard Scott |
McDonald's restaurants | Hamburglar | 1971–2003 | criminal type who stole hamburgers every chance he had. Originally voiced by Howard Morris, later by Charlie Adlder and Carl W. Wolfe |
McDonald's restaurants | Grimace | 1971–2003 | purple character originally stole milkshakes, part of a larger population of Grimaces |
McDonald's restaurants | Captain Crook | 1970–1985 | |
McDonald's restaurants | Mayor McCheese | 1971–1985 | incompetent mayor of McDonaldland |
McDonald's restaurants | The Professor | 1971–1985 | scientist who served as McDonaldland's inventor and researcher |
McDonald's restaurants | Officer Big Mac | 1971–1985 | Chief of Police of McDonaldland |
McDonald's restaurants | Fry Kids | 1972–1996 | originally known as Gobblins then Fry Guys, finally Fry Kids as Fry Girls were added. Differently colored shaggy ball like creatures with long legs but no arms, looked like pom-pon's with eyes and legs |
McDonald's restaurants | The Hamburger Patch | 1973–1985 | anthropomorphized hamburgers that grew on plants and were picked for consumption by Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar |
McDonald's restaurants | Trash Cans | 1970s | twin garbage cans that were used to encourage people to throw garbage out in correct areas |
McDonald's restaurants | Birdie the Early Bird | 1980–2003 | yellow bird with pink jumpsuit and flight cap and scarf |
McDonald's restaurants | The Happy Meal Gang | 1984–late 2000s | hamburger, french fries, regular sized drink, McNugget Buddies ( chicken nuggets added 1989) and Happy Meal Box (added 2004) |
McDonald's restaurants | Uncle O'Grimacey | 1977–1990s | Grimace's green Irish Uncle who visited every St. Patrick's Day |
McDonald's restaurants | CosMc | 1980s–1999 | alien who sporadically appeared to trade items for McDonald's food |
McDonald's restaurants | Bernice | 1992–mid-1990s | strange creature who showed up in McDonaldland occasionally |
McDonald's restaurants | Vulture | 1980s–1990s | unnamed vulture who appeared in several multi-commercial segments |
McDonald's restaurants | Sundae | 1999–2000s | Ronald McDonald's dog |
McDonald's restaurants | Iam Hungary | 1998–2001 | floating, fast green fuzzball with orange arms and monsterous face |
McDonald's restaurants | Griddler | 2003 | character who stole McGriddles from the main characters |
McDonald's restaurants | Mike the Microphone | 1980s | one time character who guarded door and ran studio in McDonaldland Magical Radio Station |
McDonald's restaurants | Dr. Berlin Fries | 2010s | human Frenchman with English accent, obsessed with french fries |
McDonald's restaurants | Admiral Frownie | 2010s | replacement character of Grimace, similar to Grimace except he is dark brown to resemble Dark Chocolate Brownie |
McDonald's restaurants | Mac Tonight | 1986–1997 | played by Doug Jones |
Meadow Gold Dairies of Hawaii | Lani Moo | 1949–present | name was selected in a contest sponsored by its predecessor Dairymen's Association |
Meadow Gold Dairies of Hawaii | The Izard of Pog; Poglodyte | 1971–present | mascots for Meadow Gold Hawaii's POG drinks |
Meow Mix cat food | Meow Mix Cat | 1972–present | |
Merrill Lynch | Merrill the bull | ||
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Leo the lion | 1924–present | based on the Goldwyn Company mascot, 1917–24 |
Miller Lite beer | The Miller Lite Beer Refs | 2004–present | |
Mobil | The Mobil Pegasus | 1911–present | |
Morton Salt | The Morton Salt Girl | 1914–present | |
Mr. Clean cleaning products | Mr. Clean | 1958–present | first live-action Mr. Clean played by House Peters, Jr. |
Mrs. Butterworth's syrup | Mrs. Butterworth | talking syrup bottle | |
MTM Enterprises | Mimsie the kitten | 1970–1998 | |
National Crime Prevention Council | McGruff the Crime Dog | 1978–present | |
National Federation of Coffee Growers (Colombia) | Juan Valdez | 1959–present | played by José F. Duval (1959–1969), Carlos Sánchez (1969–2006), Carlos Castañeda (2006–present) |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Vince and Larry, the crash test dummies | 1985–1999 | voiced by Jack Burns and Lorenzo Music, respectively |
NBC | NBC peacock | 1956–1975, 1979–present | first appeared in 1956, debuted as animated logo in 1957 |
Nestlé Quik | Farfel the Dog | 1953–1965 | played by ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson |
Nestlé Quik/NesQuik | The Quik Bunny/NesQuik Bunny | 1973–present | voiced by Barry Gordon |
Nevada Air Quality Management Division | Dusty the Dusthole | 2003–present | known for catchphrase "Don't Be a Dusthole!"; played by Alan Burd |
Nike athletic shoe | Li'l Penny | debuted 1996 | voiced by Chris Rock, based on basketball's Penny Hardaway |
9Lives cat food | Morris the Cat | 1968–present | voiced by John Erwin |
OfficeMax | the Rubberband Man | 2004–2005 | played by Eddie Steeples |
Old Milwaukee beer | The Swedish Bikini Team | 1991 | |
Old Spice aftershave | the Old Spice sailor | 1970s–1980s | played by John Bennett Perry |
Old Spice body wash | The Man Your Man Could Smell Like | 2010–present | played by Isaiah Mustafa |
Orbit chewing gum | Vanessa | 2002–present | played by Vanessa Branch |
Palmolive dish detergent | Madge the manicurist | 1966–1992 | played by Jan Miner |
Pampers diapers | Pampers pampa | ||
Partnership for a Drug-Free America | Patsy | 2008 | not-so-informed housewife/mother in the "Don't Be A Patsy" commercials. Played by Pam Cook |
Pep Boys auto parts stores | Manny, Moe, and Jack | caricatures based on founders Emanuel "Manny" Rosenfeld, Maurice L. "Moe" Strauss, and W. Graham "Jack" Jackson | |
Pets.com | Pets.com Sock Puppet | originally performed by Michael Ian Black; now mascot for auto loan company Bar None | |
Philadelphia Cream Cheese | The Angels | 1999–present | originated in Canada in 1994, although TV spots were produced in US; played in various ads by Linda Kash, Kelly Hu and Krista Sutton |
Piels beer | Bert and Harry, the Piels brothers | 1955–1960 | voiced by Bob Elliott (Harry) and Ray Goulding (Bert) |
Pillsbury | Poppin' Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy | 1965–present | voiced first by Paul Frees, currently by JoBe Cerny |
Pine-Sol cleaning detergent | The Pine Sol Lady | played by Diane Amos | |
Planters snacks | Mr. Peanut | 1916–present | |
Popsicle ice pops | Popsicle Pete | 1940s–1995 | |
Post Cereals' Honeycomb cereal | The Crazy Craving | debuted 1990s | |
Post Cereals' Golden Crisp cereal | Sugar Bear | 1949–present | voiced by Sterling Holloway, Gerry Matthews |
Pringles | Julius Pringles | 1967-present | |
Progressive auto insurance | Flo | 2008–present | actress Stephanie Courtney |
Progressive auto insurance | Flobot | 2012–present | robot version of Flo, who is jealous of her "replacement" |
Progressive auto Insurance | The Progressive Insurance Box | 2013–present | talkative box who brags about "his" fame from the commercials featuring Flo |
Qantas Airlines | Qantas koala bear | debuted 1967 | voiced by Howard Morris |
Quaker Oats | The Quaker Oats man | 1877–present | |
Quaker Quake cereal | Quake | 1965–1970s | created by Jay Ward Productions, voiced by William Conrad |
Quaker Quisp cereal | Quisp | 1965–1970s | voiced by Daws Butler |
Quizno's restaurants | Spongmonkey | 2003–2004 | characters originated on an internet blog |
Quizno's restaurants | Baby Bob | 2005–present | Baby Bob character originated on an internet blog, and had a short-lived CBS show; currently voiced by Ken Hudson Campbell |
Raid insecticides | The Raid bugs | 1956–present | |
RCA | Nipper, the curious dog | 1900–present | |
RCA | Chipper | debuted 1991 | puppy version of Nipper |
Real California Cheese | Happy Cows | debuted 1990s | product website |
Red White & Blue Beer | Harmon R. Whittle | 1980s | |
Robert Hall clothing stores | Robert Hall birds | 1950s | |
Rossy stores | Perrôt | 2011-present |   |
Savarin coffee | El Exigente | 1960s–1970s | played by Carlos Montalbán |
Schlitz Malt Liquor | Schlitz Malt Liquor bull | ||
ScotTowels | Aunt Bluebelle | 1970s | voiced by Mae Questel |
Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner | The Scrubbing Bubbles | originally voiced by Paul Winchell | |
Serta mattresses | Serta Counting Sheep | animated by Aardman Animations | |
7UP soft drink | Freshup Freddie | 1950s | created by Walt Disney Productions |
7UP soft drink | The UnDeer | Early 1970s | Christmas mascot - 7UP issued a promotional hand puppet of the character; voiced by Paul Frees |
7UP soft drink | Cool Spot | 1987–1995 | |
Six Flags theme parks | Mr. Six | 2004–2005, 2009–present | dances to Vengaboys' "We Like to Party" |
Snapple | The Snapple Lady | 1990–1994, 1996–2008 | played by Wendy Kaufman, who also worked for Snapple |
Snuggle fabric softener | Snuggle Bear | designed by Kermit Love, voiced by Corinne Orr | |
Sony | Randy the Transistor Radio | 1963 | used for a promotional booklet |
Sprite soft drink | Miles Thirst | 2004–present | |
StarKist Tuna | Charlie the Tuna | debuted 1961 | voiced by Herschel Bernardi |
Starbucks coffee | The Starbucks melusine | ||
Subway restaurants | The Subway Shadow | 2000 | hand shadow voiced by Gilbert Gottfried |
Sun-Maid raisins | The Sun-Maid Raisin Girl | ||
Taco Bell restaurants | The Taco Bell chihuahua | 1997–2000 | voiced by Carlos Alazraqui; portrayed by a chihuahua named Gidget |
Taco John's restaurants | Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey | 2004–present | Capuchin monkey wearing a sombrero and poncho |
Tampax Tampons | Tampax Mother Nature | 2008–present | dresses conservatively and arrives to give women who might be reaching their period a "gift" (a red box), only to be turned down by her intended targets. Played by Catherine Lloyd Burns |
Target Stores | Spot the dog | ||
Taster's Choice instant coffee | Taster's Choice couple | debuted 1987 in Britain, 1990 in U.S. | played by Anthony Head and Sharon Maughan |
TD Bank | TD[4] | 2000s | Replaced the Commerce Bank's "Mr. C" after the merger |
Toilet Duck toilet cleaner | Toilet Duck | mid-1990s | animatronic, helmet wearing duck head sticking out of a small tank. Typically strolls into the bathroom saying "Quack, quaaack!" |
Tootsie Roll Pops | Mr. Owl | 1970–present | voiced by Paul Winchell |
Tootsie Rolls | Captain Tootsie | ||
Toyota | Jan | played by Laurel Coppock | |
Toyota Highlander | Muppets | 2014–present | sings "No Time For Boring" |
Toys "R" Us stores | Geoffrey the giraffe | 1960s–present | Animatronic Geoffrey voiced by Jim Hanks |
Travelocity | The roaming garden gnome | debuted 2003 | |
TriStar Pictures | the TriStar Pegasus | 1984–present | |
Trix cereal | Trix rabbit | 1959–present | originally voiced by Mort Marshall; lately has been done by Russell Horton |
Trojan condoms | Trojan Man | ||
Twinkies snacks | Twinkie the Kid | ||
Ty-D-Bol toilet cleaners | The Ty-D-Bol Man | played by Mark Matheisen, Fred Miltonberg, Larry Sprinkle | |
Uncle Ben's rice | Uncle Ben | 1946–present | purportedly named after a Texas rice grower |
United States Forest Service | Smokey Bear | 1944–present | the original was found clinging to a charred tree limb as a cub following a forest fire |
United States Forest Service | Woodsy Owl | 1970–present | voiced by Frank Welker |
United States Post Office Department/United States Postal Service | Mr. ZIP | 1960s–1970s | |
Verizon | The Verizon Wireless Test Man | 2004–2011 | played by Paul Marcarelli; famous for the quote "Can you hear me now? Good." In 2016 Marcarelli became the new spokesman for rival Sprint and "dissed" Verizon in new ads, saying "Can You Hear THAT!" |
Vlasic Pickles | The Vlasic stork | debuted 1970s | |
Volkswagen GTI | Miss Helga | debuted 2006 |
Other notable characters and their brands
- Ajax Pixies – Ajax Cleanser
- Anderson Soup Twins – Anderson Soup
- Aunt Jemima – Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix & Syrup
- Betty Crocker – Betty Crocker Baking Products
- Big Boy – Big Boy Restaurants
- Boo Berry – General Mills' Boo Berry Cereal
- Brawny Lumberjack – Brawny Paper Towels
- Brother Dominick – Xerox
- Budweiser Horses – Budweiser Beer
- Buster Brown & Tige The dog) – Buster Brown Shoes
- Buzz Bee – General Mill’s Honey Nut Cheerios
- California Raisins – California Raisins Advisory Board
- Campbell’s Soup Kids – Campbell’s Soup
- Cap’n Crunch – Quaker Oats Cap’n Crunch Cereal
- Cheerio Kid – General Mill’s Cheerios
- Chef Boyardee – Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta
- Chicken of the Sea Mermaid – Chicken of the Sea Tuna
- Chuck E. Cheese – Chuck E. Cheese Pizza (formerly Pizza Time Theater)
- Colonel Sanders – Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurants
- Cool Spot – 7-Up Soft Drinks
- Coppertone Girl – Coppertone Sunscreen
- Cornelius The Rooster – Kellogg’s Corn Flakes
- Count Chocula – General Mills' Count Chocula Cereal
- Culligan Lady – Culligan Water Softener
- Dig ‘Em The Frog – Kellogg’s Sugar Smacks Cereal (renamed Honey Smacks)
- Dutch Boy – Dutch Boy Paint
- Elsie the Cow – Borden Dairy Company
- Energizer Bunny – Eveready Energizer Batteries
- Exxon Tiger – Exxon Gasoline
- Faygo Kid – Faygo Pop/Soda
- Foster Farm Chickens – Foster Farms Chicken
- Frankey Berry – General Mills' Franken Berry Cereal
- Fruit of The Loom Guys – Fruit of The Loom Underwear/Sleepwear
- Geoffrey the Giraffe – Toys R Us
- Gerber Baby – Gerber Baby Food
- Goodyear Blimp – Goodyear Tire Company
- Gorton Fisherman – Gorton Seafood Company
- Granny Goose – Granny Goose Potato Chips
- Great Root Bear – A & W Root Beer & Restaurants
- Hamm’s Bear – Hamm's Beer
- Helping Hand – Betty Crocker’s Hamburger Helper
- Honeycomb Kid – Post
- Hy Finn – Standard Oil of California
- Indian Maiden – Land-O-Lake Butter/Dairy Products
- Jack – Jack-In-The-Box Restaurants
- Jeff – Burger Chef Restaurants
- Jello-O Baby – Jell-O
- Joe Camel – Camel Brand Cigarettes
- John H. Goodwill – Goodwill
- Jolly Green Giant – Green Giant Vegetables
- Josephine The Plumber – Comet Cleanser
- Juan Valdez – National Federation of Coffee Growers
- Kedso The Clown – Keds Brand Sneakers
- Keebler Elves (Ernie The Elf) – Keebler Foods (Crackers)
- Kenner Gooney Bird – Kenner’s Toy Company
- Klondike The Polar Bear – Klondike Ice Cream Bar
- Kool Aid Man – Kool-Aid Drink Mix
- Kool Penguin – Kool Cigarettes
- Little Caesar – Little Caesar Pizza
- Little Foster – Foster’s Freeze Restaurants
- Little Mikey (the Freckly-faced Kid) – Life Cereal
- Little Miss Sunbeam – Sunbeam Bread
- Lucky The Leprechaun – General Mill’s Lucky Charms Cereal
- M&M’s – Mars, Incorporated
- Madge The Manicurist – Palmolive Dish Washing Detergent
- Marky Maypo – Maypo Cereal
- Marlboro Man – Marlboro Cigarettes
- Marvelous Magical Burger King (the older cartoonish mascot – 2 versions) – Burger King Restaurants
- Maytag Man – Maytag Appliances
- Michelin Man (aka Bibendum) – Michelin Tires
- Mickey Mouse – Walt Disney Company
- Miss Chiquita – Chiquita Bananas
- Morris The Cat – 9 Lives Cat Food
- Mother Nature – Chiffon Margarine
- Mr. Bluelight – K-Mart Stores
- Mr. Bubble – Mr. Bubble Bubble Bath
- Mr. Clean – Mr. Clean
- Mr. Goodwin – Crest Toothpaste
- Mr. George Whipple – Charmin Toilet Paper
- Mr. Meow – Meow Mix Cat Food
- Mr. Owl – Tootsie Rolls & Tootsie Pops
- Mr. Peanut – Planters Peanuts
- Mr. Potato head and Mrs. Potato head – Lays
- Mrs. Butterworth – Mrs. Butterworth Pancake Syrup
- Mrs. Olson – Folgers Coffee
- Nipper The Dog (fox terrier) – RCA Victor Company
- Orville Redenbacher – Orville Redenbacher Gourmet Popcorn
- Oscar Mayer Bologny Kid – Oscar Mayer Bologny
- Polar Bear – Icee
- Poppin’ Fresh The Pillsbury Doughboy – Pillsbury Rolls/Products
- Popsicle Pete – Popsicle Frozen Pops
- Punchy – Hawaiian Punch Drink Mix
- Quaker Oats Man – Quaker Oats Cereal
- Quiky The Bunny – Nestle’s Quik (later changed to Nesquik) Chocolate Mix
- Quisp – Quisp Cereal
- Reddy Kilowatt
- Ronald McDonald – McDonalds Restaurants (also included here could be Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese & Grimace)
- Rosie The Waitress – Bounty Paper Towels
- Sailor Jack & Bingo – Cracker Jacks
- Sambo & Jolly Tiger – Sambo’s Restaurants
- Scrubbing Bubbles – Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner
- Slush Puppie – Slush Puppie
- Snap, Crackle & Pop – Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Cereal
- Speedy – Alka Seltzer
- Stay Puft Marshmallow Man – Stay Puft Marshmallow Company (actually a fictitious mascot from the movie Ghostbusters)
- Sugar Bear – Post Super Sugar Crisp (renamed Golden Crisps)
- Sun-Maid Raisins Girl – Sun-Maid Raisins
- Sunny – Kellogg’s Raisin Bran Cereal
- Sonny The Cuckoo Bird – General Mill’s Cocoa Puffs Cereal
- Sugar Pops Pete The Prairie Dog – Kellogg’s Sugar Pops Cereal (renamed Corn Pops)
- Talking T-Shirt – Adidas
- The Noid – Domino’s Pizza
- Tony The Tiger – Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Cereal
- Toucan Sam – Kellogg’s Froot Loops Cereal
- Trix Rabbit – General Mill’s Trix Cereal
- Tropic-Ana – Tropicana
- The "Tu Tu Tu's" – TheCab (Honolulu, Hawaii)
- Twinkie The Kid – Hostess Twinkies
- Ty-D-Bol Man – Ty-D-Bol Toilet Cleaner
- Umbrella Girl – Morton Salt
- Uncle Ben – Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice
- Vlasic Stork – Vlasic Pickles
- W.C. Fritos – Frito Lay Corn Chips
- White Knight – Ajax Laundry Detergent
- Yipes The Zebra – Fruit Stripe Gum
See also
- List of Australian and New Zealand advertising characters
- List of European and British advertising characters
References
- ↑ Sacks, Ethan (26 April 2011). "Aflac duck's new voice: Radio exec Dan McKeague replaces Gilbert Gottfried, fired for Japan jokes". Daily News. New York.
- ↑ "Most Popular E-mail Newsletter". USA Today. 18 August 2011.
- ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-brand-spokescharacters-that-america-hates-the-most-2012-2?op=1
- ↑ Blumenthal, Jeff (16 June 2010). "TD mascot sporty, fun and 'strains intellectual scrutiny'". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 20 October 2010.
Further reading
- "Red-faced with the Coppertone girl". SPTimes. September 5, 2004. Interview with original model, history, etc.
- "The Orphanage of Cast-Off Mascots". Lileks.com.
- "Top 10 Advertising Icons of the Century". Advertising Age.
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