_Editorial

By Heather Taylor March 7th marks National Cereal Day, one of the most beloved holidays (perhaps ever!) for breakfast enthusiasts. Our favorite cereals are made all the more special by the beloved characters that adorn these cereal boxes. Who doesn’t get giddy, or at least feels a huge grin spread across their face, as they watch classic mascots like Sonny…

By Heather Taylor John Bowman was at a restaurant in Rhode Island with his grandson when the pair spotted an iconic character at the establishment. A poster of Poppin’ Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy, graced the restaurant’s wall. Bowman knew the little guy well enough. His advertising background spanned decades including famous agencies like N.W. Ayer & Son, D’Arcy Masius Benton…

By Heather Taylor What comes to mind when you think about crumpets? You may be imagining the spongy, round griddlecakes often consumed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, and various areas of the Commonwealth. Crumpets are traditionally paired with a selection of butter, jam, or honey and served with breakfast or afternoon tea. But what happens when crumpets seek to break…

By Heather Taylor Hooray for Hollywood — and M&M’S! The M&M’S spokescandies made several appearances during the 92nd Academy Awards on February 9, 2020. However, these appearances didn’t feature the spokescandies on the red carpet or sitting next to Oscar nominees. They were all visible during the commercial breaks with Messages for their favorite celebrities. M&M’S Messages What’s are M&M’S…

By Heather Taylor Brand mascot Easter eggs abounded during Super Bowl LIV. If you watched the commercials featured during football’s biggest night carefully, you might have spotted more than the rebirth of Mr. Peanut. The Bud Knight, Kool-Aid Man, and even the Hamburglar all made it to Super Bowl 54. Let’s rewind and review. Tide Who knew The Bud Knight…

By Heather Taylor “It started out like any other trip home.” We don’t know the names of the sea turtle family in Greenpeace UK’s short film “Turtle Journey.” What we do know is that it’s impossible not to see ourselves, and our loved ones, in this Aardman Animations story. Turtle Journey The sea turtle family has just finished visiting their…

By Heather Taylor He shell never be forgotten. The untimely demise of iconic brand mascot Mr. Peanut on January 22nd shell-shocked the advertising community and Planters enthusiasts everywhere. Mr. Peanut, and his NUTmobile, perished during a road trip commercial ahead of Super Bowl LIV. Mr. P made the decision to sacrifice his life over fellow road trip pals and actors…

By Heather Taylor It is with the greatest sorrow that our PopIcon team reports Bartholomew Richard Fitzgerald-Smythe, also known as Mr. Peanut, has passed away at 104-years-old. It isn’t often that a brand mascot has a heavily televised death in the media. Historically, when a character doesn’t catch on with consumer the brand will phase it out quietly and replace…

By Heather Taylor Remember when Mr. Peanut proved he’s always there during Crunch Time during the 2019 Super Bowl LIII? Our favorite dapper legume drove crazy fast in his NUTmobile to replace baseball legend Alex Rodriguez’s meh kale chips with Planters delicious mixed nuts. Just in the nick of time for the big game! Mr. Peanut Returns to Super Bowl…

By Heather Taylor When you hear the name Louie the Fly, does a spray can of Mortein come to mind? Do you still apply sunscreen whenever you’re out in the sun thanks to Sid the Seagull’s catchy “Slip! Slop! Slap!” jingle? Is Flo from Progressive Insurance better known as Kitty to you? Chances are if you answered yes to any…

By Heather Taylor In early 2019, GEICO released a collection of their greatest advertising hits called “The Best of GEICO.” Beloved characters like the Caveman and Maxwell the Pig all made appearances in the lineup. You’d think that’s where the nostalgia ends, but you’re wrong. In true Hollywood fashion, GEICO has released a “Sequels” ad campaign. The Martin Agency’s latest…

By Heather Taylor Twenty years ago in 1999, McDonald’s created an ad campaign for the hockey game of the year. The two teams playing each other? It’s Ronald McDonald versus the McNugget Buddies. Maybe that seems a little unbalanced in terms of players, but this isn’t traditional ice hockey. It’s hokey hockey! Hokey Hockey Silliness and shenanigans abound in Leo…

By Heather Taylor Characters are increasingly becoming the best part of football’s biggest night. Only two brand mascots were featured during Super Bowl XLIV in 2010 — Jack from Jack in the Box and the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses. By 2019, Super Bowl LIII featured at least seven characters in teaser and full-length commercial spots. Brand mascots, which historically have always…

By Heather Taylor Loyal Budweiser fans know all about the friendship between the Budweiser Clydesdales and their puppy pal. They’ve been BFFs since 2014, but the Clydesdales have been spending the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing. Now, these mascots are getting a chance to see their old friends again in Budweiser’s new spot “Reunited With Buds.” Looking Back at “Puppy Love”…

By Heather Taylor Meeting Santa Claus is such a special moment for one and all during the holiday season. You might be surprised to hear quite a few of our favorite characters have met Kris Kringle. Some brand mascots actually saved Christmas. Others, well, they may or may not have passed out at their first glimpse of Jolly Saint Nick.…

By Heather Taylor In 2010, Mr. Peanut threw a holiday party for Planters. It was a memorable soirée for several reasons. Mr. Peanut, the iconic Planters legume, was debuting a new look — and his first-ever speaking voice. The “Naturally Remarkable” ad campaign from TBWA Worldwide spin-off Being evoked a return to Mr. Peanut’s roots. He traded his signature yellow…