When I was a kid PSA’s were all over the place. I talked before about
how PSA’s were often tacked onto the end of cartoons, but sometimes a
PSA would be its own thing with a cute or memorable character that
managed to make it popular. Here are five of my favorite PSA mascot’s.
The one rule here is that these have to be original characters created
for the PSA, not existing characters. That’s another subject my friends.
#5.Time for Timer
Am I the only one who remembers? It feels that way, it was on all the time on Saturday mornings! Ok I talked about this a looonnngggg time ago but here we go again. Timer was a cartoon character who looked like a matzo ball. He basically promoted stuff like healthy eating habits and personal hygiene.I remember one where was inside the human body talking about how food is processed for energy. One was set in a western setting and he sung about cheese as a good snack (this was a long time ago!). Another he sung about a healthy snack called sunshine on a stick. It’s orange juice frozen in an ice cube tray. You put sticks in the juice, and voila you got homemade orange Popsicle! And yes, I tried this.
#4.Woodsy
This icon for the United States Forest Service was on all the time, a long time ago. I think he should still be on today. Give a hoot-Don’t pollute! Basically that was his gimmick, telling people not to throw their trash on the ground because it’s good for the environment. He also had my favorite jingle, “In the city or in the woods, help keep America…looking good!”. Take a listen, but be warned--it’ll never leave! I guess he is still around thought not as much as before.
#3.McGruff the Crime Dog
This guy isn’t so forgotten since Geiko recently brought him back for one of their terrible ads. This Robert Stalk wannabe warned kids about personal safety and security measures. Like locking your door, so on. This was so successful that the campaign was extended to include child abductions and and anti drug messages. My favorite part was was his catch phrase, take a bite out of crime! It’s better how he said it. McGruff appeared in tons of TV ads, possibly more than any other character here except #1, and of course posters and billboards. It was the increase in cell phone use which caused the character to finally decline. Anyone else remember neighborhood watches?
#2.Smokey the Bear
Much the same Uncle Sam would point at you and tell you to join the army, Smoky would appear in ads pointing at you too. But his message was a little different. He was saying only you an prevent Forrest fires. And he is very old! Mist of these characters are 70’s and 80’s, he started out in 1944! His history is to long to recap here, but he appeared in posters, cartoons, and even radio programs. Of course there toys, and even songs. He was even a postage stamp for his 40th anniversary. I always knew who Smokey was, that’s the kind of mascot he is where there’s just no way you never heard of him. And in fact there are still commercials being made with him. This character was so popular his style of hat became synonymous with him so much so that police officers who wear similar hats are called “Smokey’s”.
#1.Crash Test Dummies
As I said these characters would become very memorable and most are still fondly remembered. None hit the popularity these guys did though, and I still don’t get it!! Vince and Larry, the Crash Test Dummies, came around in the 1980’s voiced by Jack Burns and Lorenzo Music. They were seat belt PSA’s. The gimmick was simple, they’d say “You Could Learn a Lot from a Dummy” after they experience horrific crashes in test cars. The funny part? These commercials were so popular that they spawned toys. Yes toys! And they didn’t stop at action figures that could fall apart, there were toys, play sets… you name it! These Tyco toys are a story for another day. Want crazier? Did I mention the video games? Or comics books? There was even a one hour special made in 1993 called “The Incredible Crash Dummies”. I don’t get it, the commercials were clever and memorable but…geez!!
Did I forget Sparky?
Yeah he has been the mascot of the National Fire Protection Association since the 60’s! But he’s more know for his live appearances and had no real TV commercials so I left him off. He does gave books and music videos based on him! And warning kids of fire danger is no small thing.
These characters are all memorable because they were well done with clear, simple messages. Did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know. And if these seemed silly to you, remember there are worst out there:
#5.Time for Timer
Am I the only one who remembers? It feels that way, it was on all the time on Saturday mornings! Ok I talked about this a looonnngggg time ago but here we go again. Timer was a cartoon character who looked like a matzo ball. He basically promoted stuff like healthy eating habits and personal hygiene.I remember one where was inside the human body talking about how food is processed for energy. One was set in a western setting and he sung about cheese as a good snack (this was a long time ago!). Another he sung about a healthy snack called sunshine on a stick. It’s orange juice frozen in an ice cube tray. You put sticks in the juice, and voila you got homemade orange Popsicle! And yes, I tried this.
#4.Woodsy
This icon for the United States Forest Service was on all the time, a long time ago. I think he should still be on today. Give a hoot-Don’t pollute! Basically that was his gimmick, telling people not to throw their trash on the ground because it’s good for the environment. He also had my favorite jingle, “In the city or in the woods, help keep America…looking good!”. Take a listen, but be warned--it’ll never leave! I guess he is still around thought not as much as before.
#3.McGruff the Crime Dog
This guy isn’t so forgotten since Geiko recently brought him back for one of their terrible ads. This Robert Stalk wannabe warned kids about personal safety and security measures. Like locking your door, so on. This was so successful that the campaign was extended to include child abductions and and anti drug messages. My favorite part was was his catch phrase, take a bite out of crime! It’s better how he said it. McGruff appeared in tons of TV ads, possibly more than any other character here except #1, and of course posters and billboards. It was the increase in cell phone use which caused the character to finally decline. Anyone else remember neighborhood watches?
#2.Smokey the Bear
Much the same Uncle Sam would point at you and tell you to join the army, Smoky would appear in ads pointing at you too. But his message was a little different. He was saying only you an prevent Forrest fires. And he is very old! Mist of these characters are 70’s and 80’s, he started out in 1944! His history is to long to recap here, but he appeared in posters, cartoons, and even radio programs. Of course there toys, and even songs. He was even a postage stamp for his 40th anniversary. I always knew who Smokey was, that’s the kind of mascot he is where there’s just no way you never heard of him. And in fact there are still commercials being made with him. This character was so popular his style of hat became synonymous with him so much so that police officers who wear similar hats are called “Smokey’s”.
#1.Crash Test Dummies
As I said these characters would become very memorable and most are still fondly remembered. None hit the popularity these guys did though, and I still don’t get it!! Vince and Larry, the Crash Test Dummies, came around in the 1980’s voiced by Jack Burns and Lorenzo Music. They were seat belt PSA’s. The gimmick was simple, they’d say “You Could Learn a Lot from a Dummy” after they experience horrific crashes in test cars. The funny part? These commercials were so popular that they spawned toys. Yes toys! And they didn’t stop at action figures that could fall apart, there were toys, play sets… you name it! These Tyco toys are a story for another day. Want crazier? Did I mention the video games? Or comics books? There was even a one hour special made in 1993 called “The Incredible Crash Dummies”. I don’t get it, the commercials were clever and memorable but…geez!!
Did I forget Sparky?
Yeah he has been the mascot of the National Fire Protection Association since the 60’s! But he’s more know for his live appearances and had no real TV commercials so I left him off. He does gave books and music videos based on him! And warning kids of fire danger is no small thing.
These characters are all memorable because they were well done with clear, simple messages. Did I miss your favorite? Comment and let me know. And if these seemed silly to you, remember there are worst out there:
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