Recently, The Most Interesting Man in the World replaced The Burger King as my favorite product or franchise mascot. There is a Zorro-like quality to this character, who was created with the feel of a mythic personality that's become legendary and been exaggerated for 200 years. The concept is genius. Perhaps you've seen the TV ads or heard the radio spots.
- Every time he goes for a swim, dolphins appear
- Years ago, he built a city out of blocks. Today, over 600 thousand people live and work there.
- His charm is so contagious, vaccines have been created for it.
- He's the only man to ace a Rorschach Test.
...and on and on it goes. Just clever. He's the mascot for Dos Equis' adult beverage. I also think his laid back endorsement, "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis" is cool--like he could care less, he's got better things to do, but yeah, I'll throw a nod their way because they make the finest. (Author's note: I don't think I'd ever heard of this company before the ads).
Nothing against the King, he's still in my heart; but let's be honest, he's not the King anymore. More like the court jester. Or even better, T.MIM (The Most Interesting Man...) could be Lancelot to Burger King's Arthur.
My top ten all-time mascot list:
- The Most Interesting Man in the World
- The Burger King - Reviving a creepy mascot from the past as an even creepier one today? Priceless.
- Colonel Sanders - Lesson one in bridging an emotional connection to your product.
- Pop'n Fresh (The Pillsbury Doughboy) - I see it coming a mile away, but that giggle makes me laugh.
- The Fry Guys - In their time, they were manic comedy gold.
- Mrs. Butterworth - My syrup's alive! Way cool effect for the 1970's kid.
- Kool-Aid Man - The dude was a superstar... back in the day.
- Taco Bell Chihuahua - He got annoying, but who among us doesn't talk like that still?
- The Sun (Jimmy Dean Sausage) - Love his exasperation: "I get up to heat and light the earth... what's your excuse?"
- Mr. Whipple - An all-timer. Jealously guards the integrity of Charmin, but a closet squeezer.
Drop the chalupa!
Posted by: Micah L. | July 23, 2008 at 08:02 AM
thank you for not including bibendum. he freaks me out.
Posted by: natalie | July 24, 2008 at 11:08 AM