Brand Mascots That Stand the Test of Time
strength. Today, he endures as a slimmed-down version of his former portly self, with a more genial smile.
Brand mascots can make a surprisingly deep cultural impression. Some, such as GEICO’s famous talking gecko, have become almost universally recognizable. Others, such as the M&M spokescandies, evoke a backlash that banishes them to oblivion. Those with warmth and personality tend to last because they spark pleasant emotions, according to a survey of 1,630 people by Crestline Promotions. The most enduring brand mascots, such as the iconic Betty Crocker, manage to evolve with the cultural zeitgeist. The mythical homemaker was invented in 1921 by the predecessor company to General Mills. In the Flapper Era, she became a radio personality, then evolved into a World War II-era heroine creating recipes for homemakers beset by food rationing. From the 1950s through the 1990s, she morphed from a friendly, curly-coiffed homemaker to a stylish Jackie Kennedy lookalike and then to an increasingly confident career woman. The 2022 publication of the 13th edition of Betty Crocker’s famous cookbook attests to her astonishing longevity. Another enduring mascot, the Quaker Oats Man, originated in 1877. His pleasant visage, which leaves nothing to dislike, is one reason he has served as the Quaker brand image for over a century. Most people say the Quaker Man was adopted because of the denomination’s values of integrity, honesty, purity, and
Other mascots have been sidelined after colliding head-on with cultural trends. Ronald McDonald debuted in national
TV ads in 1965, and Generation X grew up with him. By 2016, however, Ronald was under fire for persuading small children to eat unhealthy food. After reports of creepy clown sightings further darkened his image, McDonald’s benched him. Today, Ronald is mainly confined to promoting Ronald McDonald House Charities, the nonprofit that provides housing for families with seriously ill children. Other once-popular mascots have ended up on the ash heap. Aunt Jemima, the figure who adorned millions of boxes of pancake mix, was abandoned as a caricature from the era of slavery. The same fate befell Uncle Ben of Uncle Ben’s Rice. The company tried to salvage Uncle Ben by promoting him to chairman of the board, but they eventually deemed his image beyond repair.
STEER CLEAR OF THESE ODDITIES ON YOUR NEXT ROAD TRIP America’s Wackiest Traffic Laws
California’s Speedy Ghost Cars Head to California, where no vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 mph. Yes, even those futuristic self-driving cars have to obey the speed limits. It’s an interesting precaution against our potential AI driver’s need for speed and flipping into joyride mode. Denver’s Color Coordinated Sundays In Denver, Colorado, black cars are banned on Sundays. The origin of this law is murky, but it adds an extra layer of consideration for your Sunday drive. You’d better pick a different color for a leisurely weekend cruise. Oklahoma’s Driving Distractions Put down the comic books if you’re driving through Oklahoma. It’s illegal to read them while driving, which sounds reasonable enough considering the focus required to operate a vehicle safely. Save
Spider-Man and Superman for later, and keep your eyes on the road!
As you buckle up and hit the road across the U.S., you might want to brush up on more than just your driving skills — some local traffic laws are as quirky as the attractions dotting the country. From the bizarre to the downright hilarious, cruise through four of the weirdest traffic laws that could have you scratching your head or chuckling all the way to your next stop.
Drunk Driving … by Association? Strangely enough, in Texas, any driver who is within arm’s reach of alcohol while driving is breaking the law, and this includes a passenger’s bloodstream! So, Texas drivers must think twice before offering their tipsy buddies a ride home. As for Virginia, drunk passengers can also receive a DUI if they’re riding with an intoxicated driver! So, always call an Uber if you and your buddy have had a drink or two. Whether born from safety concerns or legislative sessions that got wildly out of hand, these rules add a dose of humor to road-tripping across the U.S. Remember these oddities as you navigate the highways and byways — they’re not just funny anecdotes but actual laws that could impact your journey!
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