Retired Mascots {on hiatus until 26/10}
@retiredmascots.bsky.social
Remembering the weird, wonderful, often questionable characters who charmed us into buying things, until turning tides in the market left them forgotten. | Posts around 8pm BST daily, reposts self regularly | Requests closed | @maxisherealso.bsky.social
From America, Oct 1945: Zerex Anti-Freeze ad from DuPont (+Zerone Anti-Freeze) «WHICH FACE WILL YOU WEAR THIS WINTER?»
Oct 1936: Electricity ad from British Electrical Development Association (+Electric Fires) «HEAT when and where you want it!»
Airbears British Airports Authority 1983-1994 The BAA made their family of airports friendlier to children using seven teddy bears available to buy and/or meet, such as Harry Heathrow, Archie Abderdeen and Eddie Edinburgh. Gary Gatwick was reintroduced in 2022, only to disappear after a short time.
Gary's name became synonymous with a widely reported unnamed baby who was found abandoned in a Gatwick public toilet and given his name by crew members who comforted him with a Gary doll. He was adopted under the name Steven Hydes and finally reunited with his biological father and siblings in 2021.
Well that was fun but I've got a film festival for the next week and a half, see you again in two and a half weeks
Retired Mascots: A Skydance Corporation
Airbears British Airports Authority 1983-1994 The BAA made their family of airports friendlier to children using seven teddy bears available to buy and/or meet, such as Harry Heathrow, Archie Abderdeen and Eddie Edinburgh. Gary Gatwick was reintroduced in 2022, only to disappear after a short time.
Peach Canned Cling Peaches from California 1947-1958
Baskin-Robbins Goodie Goodie Gumdrops (1978-1979): A fruit-based ice cream made with mango, peach, and cherry extract, and loaded with chopped up lemon, lime, cherry, and orange gumdrops. This unique flavor has a fun little history, check this 🧵 for more info!
Peach Canned Cling Peaches from California 1947-1958
Digger the Dermatophyte Lamisil 2003-2011 An anthropomorphised toenail fungus animated by WildBrain whose domestic run was brief but whose impact was strong, with his debut commercial's graphic portrayal of onychomycosis. He was repurposed in the UK for foot clinic Stepwise as Freddy the Fungus.
Schnuppi C&A 1976-1998 A spotted dog with a nose for affordable prices and quality, designed by Jimmy T. Murakami to promote bargain deals at C&A ("Schnupperpreise"). He was a hit in Germany, selling toys and comics and even briefly appearing in Britain, before a marketing shake-up snuffed him out.
Schnuppi C&A 1976-1998 A spotted dog with a nose for affordable prices and quality, designed by Jimmy T. Murakami to promote bargain deals at C&A ("Schnupperpreise"). He was a hit in Germany, selling toys and comics and even briefly appearing in Britain, before a marketing shake-up snuffed him out.
Animated Howard Halifax 2002-2006 To keep fans of HBOS staffer Howard Brown occupied when he wasn't available to sing and dance, a cartoon counterpart was designed for him by Paris-based Numéro 6 - recognised back then for their grotesque CG animation style - and voiced by white actor Paul Shearer.
When the economic climate grew too dour for Halifax ads to stay whimsical, Brown had to step down as spokesman in 2008 before exiting the company in 2011. Since then, he berated Halifax for adding pronouns to name tags. Can't cover the real Howard because spokespeople playing themselves don't count.
When Howard went animated
YouTube video by malcolm green
youtube.com
Animated Howard Halifax 2002-2006 To keep fans of HBOS staffer Howard Brown occupied when he wasn't available to sing and dance, a cartoon counterpart was designed for him by Paris-based Numéro 6 - recognised back then for their grotesque CG animation style - and voiced by white actor Paul Shearer.
There has been one fursona in recorded history that was actually cool His name was Joe Camel. We killed him for being too cool.
Pick the best McDonald’s translite sign out of this crop… Nothing tops Mac Tonight with the Big Mac billboard for me!
#OnThisDay 29 January 1982 CHIMPS TEA PARTY #StanleyBaxter, #IreneHandl, #PatCoombs and #KennethConnor are amongst the stars at the Waldorf Hotel in London helping the PG Tips chimps celebrate 25 years of appearing in the adverts for teabags.
Dec 1980: Turkey ad from Bejam (+Butterball Turkey and Buxted Turkey) «Christmas Cracker»
The Tipps Family PG Tips 1956-2002 Brooke Bond capitalised on the chimpanzee tea party by having zoo chimps dress up, perform comedy and flap their lips to celebrity voices for PG Tips. Animal rights groups had the campaign axed in 1972, but to save sales the Tipps returned and continued into 2002.
Mammoth Bensons Mammoth Bites 1986-1995
Wonga Man Envirofone 2009-2011 Billy Wright struck internet meme gold in his first Envirofone ad appearance for his specific line delivery of "wonga," a British slang term for money. Envirofone capitalised on his meme status by positioning him as their mascot, placing him in a quirky series of ads.
