The longest-running jingle in advertising history

The advertising jingle was born in 1926 with the General Mills radio ad titled, "Have you tried Wheaties".

Have you tried Wheaties?
They’re whole wheat with all of the bran.
Won’t you try Wheaties?
For wheat is the best food of man.
They’re crispy and crunchy
The whole year through,
The kiddies never tire of them
and neither will you.
So just try Wheaties,
The best breakfast food in the land.

The success of this jingle led to others and soon just about every product had its own tune.  One of the reasons for this quick adoption of this form of advertisement was NBC's prohibition of direct advertising.  This technique successfully put the product's name into the buyers head without violating those terms. 

The jingle made the jump from radio to television and continues to this day, often written by musical performers who have had prior successes such as Devo.  As for the longest running advertising jingle, it can still be heard on television after originally airing almost fifty years ago in 1962.

What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, and makes a slinkity sound?

A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing! Everyone knows it's Slinky.

It's Slinky, it's Slinky. For fun it's a wonderful toy.

It's Slinky, it's Slinky. It's fun for a girl or a boy.

It's fun for a a girl or boy!

-Professor Walter

 

Comments

[Nickolas Clark]

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