Only 1 In 20 People Can Name All 50 Of These Famous Brand Mascots
- by Lucas Wesley
- – on
- in Lifestyle
Love it or hate it, advertising is in many respects the financial backer that makes mainstream entertainment possible. TV, magazines, radio, and the Internet all rely on commercials and ads to keep paying for their efforts towards delivering entertaining to the public. Luckily, advertising executives are well aware that in order for their work to be effective, it needs to be similarly enjoyable to watch, or else audiences won’t care about or remember it.
When people think back to a funny ad or a particularly cool mascot, they might want to buy the product it represents on that association alone. Another scenario could see someone suddenly realizing they want or need something generic, and then settle on which specific brand to purchase entirely because a commercial once made them smile. Even if they don’t end up buying it themselves, the mere fact someone enjoyed an ad means they might tell a friend about it, who in turn could get some use out of the product.
For this reason, advertisers do whatever they can to ensure the public will remember their mascots and what these characters do and say however possible. Try as some people may to pretend advertising doesn’t work on them, chances are almost everyone will recognize the faces of the world’s most famous brands. Keep reading to try and name these iconic advertising mascots.
Who is this fast food serving clown?
“Billions served” applies to people of all ages, yet children in particular will always be driven to this fast food restaurant’s allure thanks to two things: Happy Meals and the friendly clown who sells them. Sure, this white-faced jokester isn’t the only character populating his restaurant chain, but he’ll always be the most popular, appearing all over the business’s marketing and products. Because flipping burgers isn’t enough to satisfy this character’s need for good, he’s also the face of an international charity supporting the families of sick children.
Which Southern gentlemen is the spokesperson for Kentucky Fried Chicken?
No matter how often his appearances changes these days, this man has always been consistent about his claim the chicken attached to his face is “finger lickin’ good.” Originally a cartoon caricature of the company’s actual founder, this iconic chef has now been portrayed by Darrell Hammond, Norm Macdonald, Jim Gaffigan, George Hamilton, Rob Lowe, Billy Zane, Ray Liotta, Rob Riggle, and even female country singer Reba McEntire, amongst others. Diverse as these actors can be, in this particular role, the message is always the same: this man is proud of his chicken.
Who is the public face of Progressive Insurance?
Regardless of where she worked, this customer service representative would pretty much be the ideal employee. Of course, that doesn’t mean every single customer would appreciate her overbearing niceness and positivity, but in the moment, it sure does seem like she’s enthusiastic about everyone getting the best deal possible. Since the character took off and became popular, Progressive has gradually introduced her entire family, who are surprisingly less enthused about the product than she is, not that this effects her interest in any way.
What company does this gecko represent?
Originally, this adaptive reptile didn’t have all that much of a character, presumably chosen mostly because his species closely matched the name of the company. Over time, advertisers gradually developed him into a witty, sarcastic British man of the people, always looking to help his human friends find the best deal possible on insurance. For a brief time, the company in question replaced him with an equally popular group of cavemen, though they were never quite as enthusiastic about the product as this lizard always appeared.
What fast food restaurant does this royal oversee?
Quite frankly, fast food doesn’t always have a reputation for being the ambrosia of kings and queens. That said, there’s no real reason for this, as anybody can enjoy a quick and easy meal when they’re in a hurry. Members of any royal family might even see someone familiar if they bump into this always smiling mascot, decked out in the sort of regal attire only a true emperor could get away with. Then again, so long as he keeps his promise in letting customers “have it their way,” the public would let him wear whatever he wanted.
Who is this tire store enthusiast?
No, that isn’t the Ghostbusters’ feared opponent the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. While the two characters do indeed look a whole lot alike, there’s not a speck of evil energy in this one, as he’s far too preoccupied focusing on his namesake brand’s tires. Truth be told, it’s not entirely clear what this strange creature is, but that somehow doesn’t deter the effectiveness of his omnipresent smile. If nothing else, his loose form makes it easy for artists to adapt his various body parts into the very tires he helps sell.
What soda is apparently popular amongst polar bears?
In most cases on this quiz, advertising executives didn’t seem to think merely using an animal as their mascot would work. Typically, they give their characters names, emotions, and facial expressions, making it easier for audiences to relate to them. Breaking convention, one brand seemed to decide it was already so iconic the many polar bears who consume the product around the winter time didn’t need anything but a bottle of their product to make fans thirsty. Fellow North Pole resident Santa Claus also seems to be a huge fan.
Who claims Frosted Flakes are more than good?
According to popular song, kids around the world really love the things this animal does. In fact, if they could, they’d trade places with him in a heartbeat, and the only reason they need is knowing he holds the secret recipe to Frosted Flakes. Much more than good, the kids and the large cat agree this cereal is downright great. Now a fully formed character, this creature was initially little more than a literal version of the animal he resembles. Either way, his name and favorite breakfast treat have always remained the same.
What concept does the mascot of Allstate Insurance represent?
Few people particularly enjoy paying for insurance…until the moment comes when they absolutely need it, at which point almost everyone is extremely relieved to have it. Unfortunately, everyone lives in the same unpredictable world of chaos and disorder, where disaster can strike in a heartbeat when people least expect it. Allstate is well aware of this fact, and has found a humorous way to remind potential customers about life’s uncertainty with this lovable madman portrayed to perfection by actor Dean Winters.
What company did this duck represent?
Depending on the product, certain characters on this list need to say a whole lot to properly inform audiences about what it is they sell. Others go a simpler route, having an animal shout the company name as loud as possible in random situations where their services may come in problem. Unfortunately for this duck, he represents an insurance company, which means those scenarios often involve sudden accident or injury that put his life in jeopardy. Of course, this only serves to make him scream the product name even louder.
What brand of baby food does this child represent?
Obviously, babies don’t exactly carry all that much buying power, so for advertisers to market food to audiences that can’t even talk yet doesn’t serve much of a purpose. That said, it’s almost too easy for them to find images that appeal to parents of those same newborn children. All they really need is a picture of a happy looking baby of their own, which will suggest to first time mom and dads their product will have babies everywhere feeling the same way.
What batteries keep this bunny going and going and going?
Let’s face it—all good things must come to an end, so no battery can truly last forever. That said, a pink bunny needed a power source when playing drums and traveling around the world for all eternity, there’s almost no question about which brand it would choose for the job. The same storage cell has been used to take this rabbit everywhere on Earth, and never once has he needed to stop and recharge. Maybe it won’t last forever, but the bunny will get where it’s going.
What drink turned kids into liquid mascots in ‘90s commercials?
Upon first glance, people might think this was an ad for Terminator 2. ‘90s kids also might have assumed it had something to do with The Secret World of Alex Mack. In reality, however, this creature is just a regular kid who happened to drink a certain beverage that turned him or her into liquid metal. Truth be told, this isn’t so much a “mascot” as most other examples on the list, as there wasn’t just one liquid human; the idea was that anybody could become this cool if they consumed the product in question.
What beverage does this desk worker promote?
In extremely rare cases, all a product needs to promote their brand is an energetic face who genuinely loves the public. That’s what Wendy Kaufman was when the company in question first hired her as their spokeswoman, working an unclear desk job while answering any fan mail the business received in her spare time. When the drink wanted to start advertising, they simply put this real life mascot in front of the camera and had her continue portraying the role she took upon herself in private.
Which fast food chain did this Chihuahua represent?
For the most part, one might expect fast food restaurants would want to avoid the suggestion they produce food for animals. That said, plenty of dogs also enjoy people food, and this particular Chihuahua is adorable enough that most viewers would be more than willing to share a burrito with her. Nothing would make her happier, either, as in just about any situation, the only thing that was ever on her mind was the never ending hunger for the fast food joint in question.
What brand of cereal does this seafaring figure represent?
Given the omnipresence of milk in most breakfast foods, it’s surprising more brands haven’t taken an aquatic approach to their marketing. The idea basically writes itself, with the leader of the ship navigating through the milky seas in which his product exists before it becomes food. While most people know him simply by his official title, the brand claims his full name is “Horatio Magellan,” and his full backstory includes a whole slew of additional bonus facts that interested parties can find online.
Who informed fans Cheetos were “dangerously cheesy?”
When it comes to advertising, there are arguably two different types of “dangerously cheesy.” The first is marked with overwrought puns, bad jokes, and the sort of humor that makes audiences groan rather than actually laugh. Much rarer is the second type, which only the mascot of Cheetos truly seems to understand. This style of “dangerously cheesy” means that there’s just so much gosh darn cheese in his system it leads to a reckless lifestyle, in the vein of the classic outlaws more rebellious audiences will always support.
What cereal does this silly rabbit constantly desire?
To be entirely honest, it’s never been all that clear why this poor, silly rabbit isn’t allowed to eat the one cereal he spends his whole life dreaming about. One thing for sure is the fact kids have been depriving him the joy for years has caused some sort of prolonged depression, as he’s always seen wearing a much sadder expression than the average mascot. Nonetheless, the method works, as other kids naturally become curious about what could possibly taste so good that not having it would ruin a silly rabbit’s life.
Which smiling character is the face of Mad Magazine?
Eternally cheeky in every way possible, it’s almost a given that the most recognizable face in the history of Mad Magazine would be a fictional creation. By and large, his job is confined to appearing on the cover of almost every issue the country’s most popular humor rag has produced. In the rare cases they decide to advertise, it’s also typically this character’s mug that says it all, encapsulating the carefree spirit the publication promises readers. Believe it or not, he may also be the only mascot to ever attempt running for President.
What weird creature did Dominos Pizza fans have to avoid?
Truth be told, anyone who ever carried a pizza through an environment filled with people who didn’t have pizza knows that pretty much all life should be avoided until after sitting down and enjoying the meal. That said, this weird little creature in particular can be a true menace to pizza fans, especially if they ordered from Dominos. Eternally energetic and literally off the wall, this alien will stop at nothing from snatching a slice or two of the product in question…he might even steal the whole box.
What adjective best describes this Green Giant?
Theoretically speaking, vegetables shouldn’t require that much advertising—it’s hard to find a healthier foundation for a meal or snack. On the other hand, people don’t always put their health first when making dietary choices, so the folks at Green Giant crafted a titular mascot to make it clear just how big and strong eating their product can make a person. Not only is he huge, but the Giant also has a positive personality, which should also make consumers happy to try his product.
Who is this sanitation product mascot?
Arduous as the process can be, just about everybody can appreciate the joy of a freshly cleaned home. Depending on how manual the labor required to rid one’s house of grime happens to be, it might even reach a point of being a real work out. That seems to be the case with this buff mascot, who always seems prepared to help tidying up. He won’t actually jump out of the bottle like a genie, but just seeing his shiny head might give consumers a vision of cleanliness to which they can aspire.
Which thief constantly steals from McDonald’s?
While Ronald McDonald always provides a friendly face to kids looking for their next Big Mac, not everyone in his kingdom exactly has the public’s interests in mind. Others are far more nefarious, like this well-known robber, known worldwide for repeatedly stealing a very specific product. Somehow, after years of these dastardly crimes, he and the clown prince of fast food strangely became friendly, standing side by side at children’s parties and Happy Meal related commercials. Quite frankly, we still wouldn’t trust him come dinner time.
Who is this pancake professional?
If there’s one condiment that serves as the natural compliment to pancakes, it’s maple syrup. No one knows this fact better than the woman on this particular brand, who has been the face of both pancakes and the product that compliments them since the 1930s. Hearkening to a simpler time, her visage suggests a woman who genuinely enjoys cooking a big breakfast for her family, which we can naturally assume included a whole lot of pancakes. Chances are any consumer known to do the same thing will know her name.
Whose face is on all sorts of snack foods?
According to nursery rhymes dating back to the 19th century, little girls are made of “sugar, spice, and everything nice,” so it’s entirely fitting one of them would be the face of Cosmic Brownies. Of course, that’s just one of many confectionary treats this innocent young lady promotes with her reserved smile. Oatmeal Cream Pies and Nutty Bars are equally evocative of her expression, just to name a few more. Believe it or not, she’s also been the face of a NASCAR team.
What movie production company starts their films with Leo the Lion’s roar?
Occasionally, a certain mascot or figure can become so iconic that it becomes associated with the entire medium its brand represents. That has pretty much happened with Leo the Lion, whose roar rings out at the start of every film produced by a certain company. Of course, any film produced outside of this sphere of influence won’t feature this calling card, instead using whatever logo is associated with their brand. In the cases of some television shows, that might even be a parody of the classic design, using a cute little kitty cat over the king of the jungle.
Who is this crime solving dog?
For many years, the one goal of this canine detective was teaching kids everywhere how to take a bite out of crime. For whatever reason, “see something, say something” means a whole lot more coming from an authoritative greyhound, as do all other platitudes he had to offer. More recently, the crime dog has been revived as part of an advertising campaign for GEICO, with his fellow police officers apparently refusing to take his hardnosed work seriously. They must have missed his partnership with the Ad Council.
What cereal makes Sonny the bird “cuckoo?”
Given how much sugar they contain, too much cereal could theoretically make anyone a little bit hyperactive. Another word that might come to mind is “cuckoo,” and if someone enjoys the food in question half as much as this bird, even a single bite could send them into a state of borderline crazed euphoria. Then again, there does seem to be something a little bit off about the fowl in general, as he already acts a little loopy before getting his much needed fix.
Who is this party loving canine?
In many respects, the life of a dog can often look like a never ending party. They have no responsibilities, can run freely into the sunset for hours, and every water or food source in the world is theirs for the taking. Still, it could get even better, simply by letting one of these canines truly go wild and party it up human style. That’s what this fun loving pooch did, presumably invited for his undying ability to provide a certain beverage.
What cereal does this factory worker help produce?
Unlike most actors and actresses hired to portray mascots for a given product, Diana Hunter actually worked in a factory for decades, piecing together the cereal she helped promote. Though she has since retired, fans of the product will never forget the genuine joy she seemed to experience while telling the public about her job. Rest assured, there are still plenty of factory workers producing cereal around the world with that exact same enthusiasm. Of course, the amount of employees who could express it quite like she did is significantly lower.
What TV network advertises with this peacock?
Perhaps because of how omnipresent it is on the network’s programming, the creators of this mascot decided their product didn’t need any sort of voice, face, or designing characteristic aside from the general type of animal it resembles. Well, that and a catchy, equally simple three note jingle, which gets viewers thinking about the channel both visually and aurally. One of the first TV networks around, and in turn one of the first to broadcast in color, this logo was originally made to show off how vibrant TV could be.
Which character is known for his rice?
In the immortal words of comedian Mitch Hedberg, “rice is great if you’re really hungry and want to eat two thousand of something.” Another figure who surely understands this feeling is the face of this brand, as he’s been advertising the product since the 1940s. Thanks to Marvel Comics and popular film, though, when modern audiences hear his name, they might think about Spider-Man before any sort of foodstuffs. On the other hand, Spider-Man might in turn make them think about rice.
What brand of bananas does this woman represent?
The number one name in bananas for nearly a century, this brand never needed much to advertise their product. All it took was a silhouette of a woman with a whole bunch of fruit in her hat, and audience’s couldn’t stop thinking about her unique type of fruit salad. To this day, her face appears on all bananas the company produces, carefully placed by hand as not to damage the product. It almost makes a person feel bad about tossing them out with the peel.
What type of gum is this woman selling?
Traditionally, when people had a “dirty mouth,” they ran to the bathroom sink and grabbed a toothbrush. Of course, there isn’t always the time for this drastic an action, not to mention the fact the dirtiest scenarios of all typically happen far away from home. In due time, however, gum companies of the world caught up with this fact and created a new form of mouth cleanser that freshens people up in a minute or less. Best of all, this speedy solution is said to work “no matter what.”
What company does Poppin’ Fresh represent?
Despite looking like a miniature Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, this adorable little doughboy is one of the most cheerful chefs in television history. Sure, his recipes are much simpler than the classic Julia Child or Gordon Ramsay, restricted entirely to the very dough that seems to form his lifeblood. That’s all he and the people who costar in his ads need to make their snacks, though, intending to inspire budding pastry cooks around the world to use the product in question to try and do the same thing.
Who is the mascot of Planters snack foods?
While many food related mascots attempt to portray an image of worldliness, this salty legume instead opts for an air of posh sophistication. There’s no other way to describe the cumulative effect of a top hat, monocle, and cane, not that it effects his overall appeal in any way. Silent for many years, this character eventually started talking in recent years, voiced by actors Robert Downey, Jr. and Bill Hader. Naturally, they’ve treated him with the same classiness with which he’s drawn.
What soft drink did Cool Spot represent?
Proving that absolutely anything can be a mascot with eyes, a mouth, or maybe just an appendage or two, this popular soda simply personified an opaque logo and turned it into their mascot. Amazingly, not only did the strategy somehow work, but the result eventually became so popular it became the face of it’s own video game series, ultimately starring in four platformers released on the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and various other systems. It’s been a while since it looked anthropomorphic or scored any points, but the figure remains on soda bottles to this day.
Who is this fish?
Having no allusions about the brand’s selling point, this fish knowingly tends to show up whenever hungry people acknowledge how little time they have to satisfy their needs. Granted, the solution involves eating his species, but he doesn’t seem to mind the implication, gleefully offering up pouches of the product to actresses like Candace Cameron Bure. When not rushing from set to set handing out meals, he seems like the artistic type, wearing a stylish beret and lounging in relaxed fashion every chance he gets.
What detergent brand does this bear represent?
Ultimately, the goal of laundry detergent is to get clothing or other fabrics clean so people can enjoy them like they were brand new after repeat uses. This can be true of clothing, towels, or even an adorable teddy bear like this one, all of which can easily get dirty over time. Doubling down on what he’s selling, the teddy bear himself both appreciates how this brand makes him feel and the fact it makes all other fabrics that much more huggable, at least to his fuzzy animal arms.
What breakfast brand does this old man represent?
One of the oldest mascots in all of advertising, this breakfast enthusiast has been around since the 1870s. The colonial look wasn’t just a sign of the times, as the creators were also intentionally looking for an image that promoted a certain “purity” they felt his traditional and professional garb would represent. The same thoughts were in their minds when settling on the company name. Obviously, these fashions have somewhat fallen out of style, but the many products the brand sells still wear his face.
Who is this purple McDonald's character?
Quite frankly, no one really understands what this giant purple monster is supposed to be. Originally, he was closer to the Hamburglar then his friend Ronald McDonald, even sporting the word “evil” in his name. He also had four arms and stole costumer’s milkshakes in similar fashion to his thieving partner in crime. Presumably because this was a little heavy for a mascot intended for children, he gradually ditched the darker qualities and became another friendly face selling burgers and French fries.
What cereal does this unlucky leprechaun worry kids are stealing?
With a tagline claiming they’re “magically delicious,” this poor leprechaun should have realized kids around the world would chase down his product. It doesn’t help that he continually harps about how fantastical and unique the product is, making kids want it significantly more. That they simply have to follow the rainbow in order to find it further cements the fact this cereal is getting stolen from him every time. Not that it really matters, as he appears to have an endless supply of the product.
What sugary drink fills this anthropomorphic glass?
Despite what a long running joke on Family Guy may suggest, this mascot isn’t simply known for interrupting awkward situations. Before he became a regular part of Peter Griffin’s life, his real modus operandi was bursting through any bland occasion and spicing things up with the product that fills his living container. When he’s not around to provide customers with this personal service, they can simply add a little water to a pouch and they’ll wind up with the same thing.
What pizza place does this Greek character represent?
It’s unclear when exactly “pizza” was invented as such, but the basic idea of putting toppings on bread and heating them up has pretty much been around forever. Does that mean the historical figures this mascot is based on were able to enjoy the product? Not quite, and he certainly didn’t experience the fast food variety. Nonetheless, his enthusiasm for the product may be strong enough to inspire time travel. It already overwhelms his brain to the extent he can’t seem to say anything else, so nothing seems out of the question.
Which brand does this cow represent?
Every kid knows those tiny red wheels of cheese covered in wax. There's definitely a method to opening these delicious morsels of edam cheese. First, pull back the tab and get that perfect strip of wax off from down the center. Next, pull apart the two halves of red wax. Next, and most importantly, see if the wax fits any noses that are nearby. Finally, pop the cheese in and much it up while playing with the wax. So simple!
Which cereal does the Dig’em Frog represent?
At this point, there are so many cereal brands that advertisers need to get creative about which animals best represent their product. This breakfast treat has gone through a few different mascots over the years, yet the most consistent has been the Dig’em Frog. Unlike some other cereal based characters, this amphibian is more than willing to share his product with any nearby kid with a spoon. It’s the sort of altruism Quahog Mayor Adam West once rewarded with a statue on Family Guy.
Who rounds out Snap and Crackle as the mascots for Rice Krispies?
Long before the ASMR trend hit the Internet, one cereal company was relying on the soothing sounds of onomatopoeia to sell their product. Listen closely enough and the sound of any cereal hitting milk will likely cause some sort of sound, and these three mascots used that noise when deciding on their names. Truth be told, in practical application, the three sounds can occur in any order, or even all at the same time, but for advertising purposes, it always goes Snap, Crackle, then…
Which bird is the mascot for Froot Loops?
Once again, cereal companies proved that all they need to sell their product to children is a cute animal. This one at least has a clear connection to the product at hand, with the bright colors of its beak matching the equally vibrant Froot Loops he represents. Granted, real birds of his species are less colorful, but that’s not really the point. Acknowledging his unique condition anyway, this bird also has a tag line telling audiences to “follow their nose,” presumably to the sugary smell of his product.
For which cookie brand do these elves work?
Small and simple as they can be, making cookies isn’t exactly an easy task. Even in the modern era when factories are doing large portions of the work, attentive factory workers need to pay close attention to what’s happening, or they could lose a giant haul of product. Metaphorically representing how difficult this job can be, one cookie company created an adorable batch of hard working elves who dedicate their entire existence to creating chocolate filled treats. Unfortunately, the real cookie factories are controlled by real people, and don’t exist in trees.
What product does this surfer support?
Not every product is instantly identifiable in and of itself, so some brands decide to throw an easily recognizable concept at the start of their product to give the marketing department a hand. That was likely the case with this mascot, as his apparent surfer lifestyle has more to do with the state he’s named after than the drink he sells. Then again, the sugar the beverage provides also lends to an extreme existence that could potentially include catching a few waves.