Fictional spokespeople

What do a clown, a tiger, and a jug have in common? Famous brand mascots

Published on November 22, 2024

Credit: 三岁陈

Who knew a tiger could help sell cereal? Or that adding a smiley face to a juice pitcher would mark the inception of a cultural icon? Some brand mascots started as marketing experiments and evolved into household names, often becoming even more famous than the products they represent. Let’s dive into the origins of these anthropomorphized symbols and explore whether they were rooted in reality or purely imagined.

Wendy

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Wendy, the famous red-haired, pigtailed girl, was not entirely fictional: She was named after the founder’s daughter. Dave Thomas opened his new restaurant serving square burgers in 1969 and wanted a family-friendly image that conveyed warmth. To achieve that, he decided to use the name and likeness of his daughter Melinda Lou "Wendy" Thomas.

The original Wendy’s restaurant in Michigan featured pictures of the real girl, but this was not replicated anywhere else. Dave revealed years later that he regretted building the brand around his daughter, which, he felt, exposed her more than intended. Instead, Dave himself appeared in the brand’s commercials until his passing in 2002. After 2010, the real Wendy proudly took over that role.

Kool-Aid Man

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Originally, Kool-Aid ads in the 1950s featured a pitcher of Kool-Aid with a simple smiley face. Executives liked the concept, and as the brand evolved, they opted for a more dynamic, engaging character to connect with children—thus, Kool-Aid Man was born.

By the 1970s, Kool-Aid Man had taken on a fully anthropomorphic form: a big, round pitcher with limbs and a face. Known for his dramatic entrances and unforgettable catchphrase, "Oh yeah!," he would burst through walls to save the day and bring refreshment, becoming a hero to thirsty kids. He has since become a true pop culture figure, frequently cited online and in comedy TV shows like Family Guy.

Betty Crocker

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Even though General Mills's Betty Crocker has never been a real person, she has ranked among America's most trusted figures for decades. In 1945, Fortune magazine named her the second most popular woman in America, right after Eleanor Roosevelt.

She was created by the Washburn-Crosby Company to personalize responses to customer inquiries about baking. This, in turn, helped make the brand appear more human and friendly. "Crocker" was a nod to William Crocker, a retired executive of the company. Over the years, a series of "portraits" were published to depict how she looked, which only fueled the belief of thousands who thought the famous cook was real.

Ronald McDonald

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Characteristic bright yellow-and-red colors and a wide grin: that is the trademark of the clown mascot of McDonald’s fast-food chain. He is probably one of the most recognizable mascots in the world. Ronald has remained McDonald's most iconic mascot since the 1960s, though the brand introduced other characters over the years, such as Grimace, the Hamburglar, and Birdie the Early Bird, all of whom populate the imaginary McDonaldland.

This clown was inspired by the success of a Washington, D.C.-based clown named "Bozo." Willard Scott, the actor behind Bozo, played the first Ronald McDonald, wearing an early version of the iconic costume, complete with a cup for a nose and a tray on his head.

Colonel Sanders

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Colonel Sanders has always been KFC's main mascot, though he’s been portrayed by different actors over the years, including Reba McEntire, George Hamilton, and the ironically named Norm Macdonald. Colonel Harland Sanders was a real person, born in 1890, who began selling his famous fried chicken from a roadside restaurant in Kentucky during the 1930s. Known for his white suit, black string tie, and goatee, Sanders established a look that would define KFC for generations.

After selling his company, he remained the face of KFC, making public appearances as "the Colonel." His image became iconic, and his smiling face is forever lit up in KFC restaurants around the world.

Michelin Man

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The Michelin Man is officially called Bibendum, or "Bib" for short. The name comes from the Latin phrase "Nunc est bibendum," meaning "Now is the time to drink." This was because the first ad featuring him showed an illustration of Bibendum holding a glass filled with nails, broken glass, and other sharp objects, with the slogan, "Michelin tires drink up obstacles."

Bibendum was born in 1894 when the founders of Michelin, noticed a stack of tires that resembled a human figure. Four years later, artist Marius Rossillon brought him to life in the first iconic poster. Back then, Bib was supposed to stand for the toughness and resilience of Michelin tires, but over the years, his look softened, and he took on a friendlier appearance, ditching the accessories he had been adorned with at first, like spectacles and a cigar.

Mr. Clean

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In the late 1950s, Procter & Gamble had an idea: Why not create a genie-like, powerful character to embody the toughness and reliability of cleaning products? Thus, the bald and muscular Mr. Clean was born.

Some say he was loosely modeled after a real-life U.S. Navy sailor, the walking image of strength, trustworthiness, and an impeccable cleaning standard. Whether true or not, Mr. Clean became a household name. Known as "Don Limpio" in Spanish-speaking countries and "Monsieur Propre" in France, his look has remained the same internationally.

Captain Morgan

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The "Captain Morgan pose," with one leg propped up on a barrel, has become iconic and is often replicated by fans. Captain Morgan even launched a "Pose Off" challenge, inviting people to share their best Captain Morgan stance on social media.

Captain Morgan, from the eponymous rum brand, was inspired by Sir Henry Morgan, a real 17th-century Welsh privateer who became famous in the Caribbean for his exploits and later served as Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. The mascot’s swashbuckling design—complete with a tricorne hat, pirate attire, and the famous pose—invites drinkers to "Live Like the Captain."

Juan Valdez

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Juan Valdez is a coffee brand, but before that, he was a standalone symbol. The coffee farmer was the mascot for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. Introduced in the late 1950s, he was meant to personify the hard-working Colombian coffee farmers and distinguish Colombian coffee from other brands in the international market.

The point was to emphasize that all coffee under the Juan Valdez name was 100% Colombian and hand-picked. The character of Juan Valdez, with his traditional coffee farmer attire, mustache, and hat, was designed to reflect the authenticity and heritage of Colombian coffee. He is sometimes accompanied by his mule, Conchita, who helps him transport coffee beans.

Tony the Tiger

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Let’s wrap up with the one and only behind the famous slogan: "They’re grrreat!" Tony the Tiger is the mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal, one of the most beloved mascots in advertising. In the 1950s, Kellogg’s also experimented with a few other potential mascots for Frosted Flakes, including Katy the Kangaroo, Elmo the Elephant, and Newt the Gnu, but Tony was the clear fan favorite.

Tony was created in the 1950s by Leo Burnett advertising agency. He was designed to symbolize strength, athleticism, and positivity, encouraging parents to purchase what was marketed as the healthiest cereal for their children. His personality came to life when voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft (also known for singing You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch) gave Tony his iconic, deep voice and signature catchphrase.

Against all odds

Indomitable will: 10 crazy survival stories that will blow your mind

Published on November 22, 2024

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Every so often, we wonder how we’d respond if faced with the direst of circumstances—fighting tooth and nail through unimaginable dangers to survive. But beyond our wildest dreams, some individuals have demonstrated that the will to live can overcome even the most insurmountable odds. From a plane crash in the Andes mountains to being swept up by a tornado, these 10 stories of endurance, courage, and unbelievable luck shed light on the inherent grit of the human spirit.

The Andes miracle

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In 1972, a Uruguayan rugby team's plane crashed in the Andes mountains after the pilot made a critical navigation error. Of the 45 passengers aboard, 29 survived the initial impact. Stranded at nearly 11,500 feet without any means of communication, they endured brutal conditions for over two months. With starvation setting in, they made the harrowing decision to eat the frozen remains of their deceased companions.

When it became clear that no rescue was imminent, two of the survivors embarked on a desperate trek through the treacherous mountains. With no training or proper gear, they braved incredibly difficult terrain for ten days before encountering a local shepherd who alerted authorities. By the time the ordeal ended, only 16 survivors remained. Their incredible story quickly captured international attention and remains a powerful testament to human perseverance and the will to survive against all odds.

Desert mechanic

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In 1993, during a solo trip through Morocco, French electrician Emile Leray found himself stranded deep in the Sahara desert after his Citroën 2CV broke down from hitting a rock. With only enough food and water for ten days and no help in sight, Leray ingeniously dismantled his car and repurposed the parts to construct a makeshift motorcycle.

To shield himself from the relentless sun and frequent sandstorms, Leray used the car’s body as a shelter. After twelve days, with only half a liter of water remaining, he successfully escaped and rode towards the nearest village. Though his remarkable feat received little media coverage at the time, Leray earned the nickname "the extreme mechanic" for his extraordinary ingenuity and survival skills.

Arctic heroine

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Ada Blackjack was a Iñupiat woman who joined an ill-fated expedition to Wrangel Island in 1921 as a cook and seamstress. The expedition aimed to settle the island and claim it for the Canadian government (though at the time the territory technically belonged to Russia), and was organized with the backing of Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a renowned Arctic explorer. Blackjack was meant to join other four young explorers on the dangerous journey.

However, the expedition was severely underprepared for the harsh Arctic conditions. As rations dwindled and the team failed to hunt enough game to sustain themselves, the situation grew dire. One of the young men succumbed to scurvy, while the other three got lost in a desperate attempt to seek help, leaving Ada completely alone in the Arctic—with only the expedition's cat for company. She survived for eight months in the extreme cold, teaching herself to hunt foxes and sew parkas from reindeer skins. She was finally rescued on August 19, 1923, and was hailed as a real-life female Robinson Crusoe for her remarkable survival skills.

Lost at sea

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In 1981, Steven Callahan set sail from Cornwall aboard his self-built sailboat, Napoleon Solo, bound for Antigua as part of a solo sailing race. However, disaster struck during a night storm when his boat collided with an unknown hard object, causing it to take on water rapidly. With little time to think, Callahan desperately inflated his life raft and had to dive several times into the sinking vessel to retrieve essential survival gear.

Drifting westward with the trade winds for 76 harrowing days, Callahan faced all sorts of challenges aboard his raft, including shark encounters, raft punctures, and the mental strain of isolation. He mastered the use of solar stills to distill seawater and relied on fish, barnacles, and seabirds for sustenance. Despite activating his emergency beacon and signaling passing ships with a flare gun, his presence went unnoticed. Finally, near the island of Marie Galante, fishermen spotted him, drawn by the birds hovering above the raft, attracted by the small ecosystem that had developed around it. After his rescue, Callahan dedicated himself to designing improved life rafts, drawing from his extraordinary experience at sea.

The Amazon nightmare

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On Christmas Eve 1971, just a day after her graduation, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke boarded LANSA Flight 508 with her mother, heading to the biological research station in the Amazon rainforest where both her parents worked. During the flight, the airplane was struck by lightning, causing it to fall apart mid-air.

Still strapped to her seat, she plummeted 10,000 feet into the dense jungle and survived the fall with only minor injuries. Alone in the rainforest, she endured 11 days of hardship, following a river's course until she stumbled upon a lumberjack camp. There, she was rescued and eventually airlifted to safety. Despite the tragedy, Koepcke returned to the Panguana research station and continued her work, later becoming a renowned zoologist.

Trapped in an Air Bubble

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In 2013, Harrison Okene, a Nigerian cook, was working aboard the Jascon-4, a tugboat assisting an oil tanker 20 miles off the coast of Nigeria when it suddenly capsized due to rough seas. The vessel quickly filled with water and sank to the seafloor, about 100 feet below the surface. Okene, who was in the bathroom at the time, miraculously found himself trapped in a small air pocket within the sunken ship, surrounded by darkness and freezing water.

For nearly three days, Okene survived in the pitch-black cabin, enduring the cold and the terrifying uncertainty of whether rescue would come. With no food and only a can of Coca-Cola to sustain him, he clung to hope. On the third day, divers surveying the wreck for recovery operations were shocked to hear his hammering against the hull. They discovered Okene alive, and he was safely rescued after being placed in a decompression chamber. Despite his harrowing experience, Okene later became a professional diver, working on underwater installations and repairs for oil and gas facilities—a remarkable twist for someone who had once been so close to death beneath the sea.

Falling from the Sky

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Serbian flight attendant Vesna Vulović holds the world record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute. In 1972, after her plane exploded mid-air, she fell over 33,000 feet to the ground. Miraculously, her fall was cushioned by a snowy mountainside. She was later discovered alive alongside the wreckage by a local villager who tended her until rescuers arrived.

Despite sustaining severe injuries, including a fractured skull and broken legs, Vulović survived the ordeal but had total amnesia of the incident for a month afterward. Remarkably, she recovered almost fully, though she lived with a limp for the rest of her life. Vulović later attributed her astonishing survival and recovery to her "Serbian stubbornness" and a childhood diet rich in "chocolate, spinach, and fish oil."

The real Lord of the Flies

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In 1965, six Tongan schoolboys were shipwrecked on a deserted island in the South Pacific for 15 months. The boys, all pupils at a strict Catholic boarding school, were bored out of their minds, and one day decided they had had enough. A plan to escape to Fiji, or perhaps even to New Zealand, formed in their minds. They stole a fisherman’s boat, and finally set out to sea, only to be caught in a storm.

Being inexperienced sailors, they quickly became adrift when the sails were shredded and the rudder broke. After eight days with no food and water, they spotted a small island on the horizon, where they promptly set camp. Unlike the fictional Lord of the Flies, however, these boys cooperated to survive. They set up a communal system, created a garden, and built shelter until they were rescued by a passing fisherman.

The Titanic baker

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Charles Joughin, the chief baker aboard the Titanic, survived the 1912 disaster by staying remarkably calm—and by getting drunk. Yes, you read that right. With a lifetime of experience at sea, Joughin was assigned a spot on one of the lifeboats but refused to board, giving his place to other crew members.

After all the lifeboats had been lowered, Joughin returned to his quarters and had a few whiskeys. As the ship continued to sink, he threw around 50 deck chairs overboard to serve as flotation devices. Unfazed, he walked to the ship's highest point and waited for it to submerge, making him the last survivor to leave the Titanic. Incredibly, he spent several hours in the freezing Atlantic before being rescued. It's speculated that the alcohol helped him stave off the effects of cold and fear, enabling his incredible survival.

The Tornado survivor

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Matt Suter was 19 years old when a tornado in Missouri picked him up and carried him 1,307 feet before dropping him in a field. Amazingly, he survived with only minor injuries. Suter recalls hearing a deafening roar as the tornado approached the mobile home where he was staying with his grandmother. Suddenly, the tornado struck with full force, collapsing the walls and blowing open the doors and windows.

Just before being sucked outside, a lamp struck him on the head, knocking him unconscious. When he came to, he found himself lying in a field, wearing only his underwear, badly scratched and bruised but otherwise unharmed. Suter’s survival is considered miraculous by tornado researchers, and he currently holds the record for the longest distance traveled by a person in a tornado.