18 Commercial Mascots Everyone Forgot About
Here's a look back at 18 forgotten commercial mascots that once dominated TV screens but have since faded into obscurity.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Commercial mascots have always shaped brand identities, but not all of them stood the test of time. From Fido Dido’s cool 7UP vibes to the strange Spongmonkeys of Quiznos, these mascots reflected their era’s marketing strategies and cultural tastes. This list explores their rise, cultural impact, and eventual disappearance from the spotlight.
1. Fido Dido (7UP)
Image from Wikipedia
Fido Dido, the lanky, doodle-style cartoon character, became the face of 7UP in the late 1980s and 1990s. He represented a laid-back, cool attitude that appealed to teens and young adults. Despite his cult following, the mascot eventually faded as 7UP shifted to different marketing campaigns.
2. The Noid (Domino’s Pizza)
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The Noid was a mischievous character in a red suit who tried to ruin pizzas, only for Domino’s to stop him. Launched in the 1980s, the Noid became a strange cultural icon with toys, video games, and merchandise. Domino’s eventually retired him after the character was linked to a tragic real-life event.
3. Mac Tonight (McDonald’s)
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Mac Tonight was a crescent moon-headed crooner who promoted McDonald’s dinner menu in the 1980s. His jazzy performances and sunglasses made him a hit with adults at the time. The character eventually disappeared as McDonald’s focused more on family-friendly mascots.
4. The Kool-Aid Man’s Sidekicks (Kool-Aid Wacky Warehouse Crew)
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While the Kool-Aid Man is still remembered, few recall his sidekick characters from the Wacky Warehouse promotions. They included quirky cartoon kids and creatures who appeared in commercials and print ads. The concept was later dropped as the brand streamlined its marketing back to the Kool-Aid Man.
5. Twinkie the Kid (Hostess)
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Twinkie the Kid was a cowboy-themed Twinkie with boots, a hat, and a lasso. He appeared in commercials throughout the ’70s and ’80s, embodying the adventurous snack spirit. While he pops up occasionally, he has mostly disappeared from Hostess branding.
6. Crazy Eddie (Crazy Eddie Electronics)
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Crazy Eddie was not a cartoon but a loud, wild-spoken man used in regional ads for the New York electronics chain. The commercials promised prices that were “insane” and became famous for their energy. The mascot and store chain collapsed in the late ’80s after a major fraud scandal.
7. Mr. Six (Six Flags)
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Mr. Six was the bald, bespectacled old man who danced to “We Like to Party” in Six Flags commercials. His bizarre dance moves and over-the-top antics made him a pop culture phenomenon in the early 2000s. He was eventually retired after Six Flags rebranded.
8. Fruit Stripe Gum Zebra (Yipes)
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Yipes, the striped zebra mascot of Fruit Stripe gum, was once plastered across every pack and TV spot. He embodied fun, color, and kid-friendly energy. Over time, the gum’s popularity faded, and so did its zebra mascot.
9. Max Headroom (Coca-Cola)
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Max Headroom, a futuristic, glitchy TV character, became Coca-Cola’s spokesman during the “Catch the Wave” campaign in the ’80s. His robotic stutter and cyberpunk look captured the high-tech spirit of the era. Despite initial success, he quickly became outdated and was dropped.
10. The Burger King Kids Club Gang
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In the ’90s, Burger King tried to rival McDonald’s with its own set of cartoon kids. The diverse group included characters like Kid Vid and I.Q., meant to appeal to children of all backgrounds. The campaign fizzled out, leaving the group forgotten compared to Ronald McDonald’s crew.
11. Sluggo (Red Dog Beer)
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Red Dog Beer introduced Sluggo, a tough bulldog mascot, in the 1990s. He was meant to give the beer a bold, edgy identity. The brand disappeared from shelves in most markets, and with it, Sluggo vanished too.
12. Sprout (Green Giant’s Sidekick)
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Sprout was the Little Green Sprout, a smaller version of the Jolly Green Giant, meant to appeal to kids. He appeared in commercials alongside the giant in the ’70s and ’80s. Eventually, he was phased out as the company returned focus to its main mascot.
13. The Taco Bell Chihuahua
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In the late 1990s, Taco Bell’s Chihuahua became a national sensation with its catchphrase, “Yo quiero Taco Bell.” The small dog starred in a series of ads and even sold merchandise. The campaign ended amid declining sales and controversy, causing the mascot to vanish.
14. The Nesquik Bunny’s Friend (Quickie Bunny’s Pals)
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The Nesquik Bunny, also known as Quickie, once had a group of animated friends in the ’80s and ’90s commercials. These sidekicks helped him on chocolate milk adventures but were eventually dropped. Today, only the bunny remains in branding.
15. The Quiznos Spongmonkeys
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The Spongmonkeys were bizarre, bug-eyed animated creatures who sang offbeat songs in Quiznos ads in the early 2000s. Their surreal appearance was unforgettable but also off-putting to many viewers. They were quickly scrapped after backlash.
16. Geoffrey the Giraffe’s Family (Toys “R” Us)
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Most remember Geoffrey the Giraffe, but Toys “R” Us once gave him a whole family. His wife and children appeared in commercials during the ’70s and ’80s. Over time, the brand streamlined to Geoffrey alone, and the rest of his family was erased.
17. The Polaroid Swinger Girl
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In the 1960s, Polaroid introduced the Swinger instant camera with commercials featuring a bubbly Swinger Girl. She was youthful, trendy, and made photography look fashionable. As cameras evolved, the character faded into advertising history.
18. Punchy (Hawaiian Punch)
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Punchy, the red-shirted character, would famously ask, “How about a nice Hawaiian Punch?” before knocking someone over with a punch. He was quirky, mischievous, and instantly recognizable. Hawaiian Punch eventually softened its advertising, leaving Punchy mostly forgotten.