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Thank you, Mark. And thank you for dropping by to listen.
Today I’d like to take a trip down memory lane.
Now I’m old, so I have to admit some of these memories go way back and you may not be familiar with them.
But I’m not so old that the memories precede that fun little device called television.
They don’t.
In fact, most of the memories on this trip down memory lane come from the early years of television.
Not the shows.
Not the exciting special events.
But the commercials.
I’m actually amazed at the number of commercials I can remember from over half a century ago.
That’s either a testament to the skills of the advertisers or the result of my brain cells having been drenched with endless commercials.
Are you ready?
“Please don’t squeeze the Charmin.”
If you’re anywhere near my age, you probably know that phrase.
It deals with Charmin toilet paper.
What can I say?
One of the old memories that has been floating around in my brain for over half a century is an ad for toilet paper.
The first “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin” ad was released in 1964 and a version of it ran for 20 years making Charmin one of the top selling brands of toilet paper in the country.
I can even remember the name of one of the characters in the ad — Mr. Whipple. He was the store manager who scolded women who squeezed the toilet paper roll too hard.
That was very effective advertising.
Ready for another one?
“Melt’s in your mouth, not in your hands.”
This is one that even you youngsters might know because it’s still in use today.
It’s for M&M’s Candy.
The first ad using this phrase was produced in 1954 and was delivered by Johnny Carson. Many stars would join the list of celebrities pitching the product, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Michael Jackson.
The phrase has been used in ads for M&M’s for nearly 70 years.
Pretty effective.
Ready for another one?
“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz. Oh, what a relief it is.”
Do you know what that’s an ad for?
Alka Seltzer.
And that ad would make Alka Seltzer one of the most popular over the counter antacids in the world. The ads ran from 1963-1977.
The first TV star to pitch the product was Don Adams who played Maxwell Smart, the secret agent on the TV show Get Smart. I told you I’m old.
Other stars who pitched the product included Jack Lemon, Mary Tyler Moore, and Betty White.
The phrase has been out of the limelight for over 40 years, so you may not know it.
But it’s still in my head.
How about this one?
“Mmm, mmm, Good!”
That phrase was used for Campbell’s Soup.
The ad campaign pre-dates TV.
It even predates me.
The ads began running in 1939 and are still running.
You may even be familiar with the phrase.
I didn’t say these were insightful memories, just memories.
I’d like to end with one more.
It’s one of my favorites.
“The Marines are looking for a few good —“
What?
What did I do?
All I said was “The Marines are looking for a few good —“
Oh.
I forgot.
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to use the “M” word.
Adults who are triggered by the word — might be listening.
In the ads I remember, they used to show — doing brave and difficult deeds — climbing mountains and stuff like that.
But if you’re young, you’ve probably never even heard the phrase.
And the Marines don’t use it anymore in their advertising.
I guess they don’t want a few good … I won’t say the M word.
But phrase is still in my head.
Well, that’s enough for my trip down memory lane this time.
Before I go I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today!
Plop. Plop. Fizz. Fizz.