Two books arrived this week — Meet Mr Product (Vol 1), and Mr Product (Vol 2). Written and compiled by Warren Dotz and Masud Husain, the books depict “the graphic art of advertising’s magnificent mascots.”
Meet Mr Product (Vol 1)
Originally published as a paperback in 2003 by Chronicle Books, Meet Mr Product has been republished this year as a hardback by Insight Editions, coinciding with the release of Vol 2.
“Although many ad characters have had short-lived careers, others have been around for a hundred years or more. Enticing customers to buy products from frozen vegetables to packaged cake mix, from fast-food burgers to automobile tyres, these imaginatively conceived and illustrated product ‘spokes-characters’ personify the businesses they represent. Many of these businesses began small, but a good number grew to dominate their fields — in large part due to their famous icons.”
Volume 1 has an introductory essay for the first 20 or so pages. Then it’s all imagery split into sections for food, drinks, kid’s stuff, dining, technology, automotive, home, and finally personal and leisure. It’s the kind of book you’d pick up for some nostalgia rather than an in-depth history.
Mr Product (Vol 2)
The second volume, also published by Insight Editions (2015), focuses on the period between 1960 and 1985 when mascots were at their most prevalent.
“These days a warm breeze of nostalgia is blowing down Madison Avenue as advertising agencies bring back characters, slogans, and jingles from the 1960s and 1970s. These campaigns are called ‘retrobranding’. Ad agencies realise that although it took a long time to establish these characters, once entrenched in the American psyche, they continue to be a valuable resource for product identification and promotion. Despite the constant pressure in advertising for new, innovative, and trendy icons, marketers are now acknowledging and successfully utilising the ‘golden oldies’ of earlier times.”
Most of the mascots are from before I was born, and they’re unlikely to return, but you’ll still find some that most of us will recognise — Ronald McDonald, Tony the Tiger, Colonel Sanders, Jolly Green Giant, BIC Boy, Bibendum.
Two solid visual archives, well-made with sewn binding and spot varnished covers. I also appreciated this snippet from the front matter: “Insight Editions, in association with Roots of Peace, will plant two trees for each tree used in the manufacturing of this book.”
They’re available direct from the publisher, or here:
Meet Mr Product on Amazon.com | .co.uk | .ca
Mr Product on Amazon.com | .co.uk | .ca
Read Steven Heller’s review on The Atlantic.
And let’s not forget, if it wasn’t for these mascots we’d never have had the pleasure of watching Logorama.
Comments
Superb. Both books look cool and filled with great mascots. Will surely buy.
You’ll never know the secret power of a delicately designed mascot. I love seeing and appreciating all these cute, awesome, lovely mascots! A mascot logo is a symbol of brand identity and personality. It gives the company a less corporate appearance, but a more lively, friendly and welcoming personality. These two books are really awesome in showcasing the power of mascot designs!
These look like great books, will put it on my Birthday wish list. Thanks for the interesting post.
Has anyone the Vol. 2 and can tell me if it includes the big boy logo from 1956 (the one where he holds the burger in the right hand)?
Thanks.
I had a look there but can’t seem to find mine, Sebastian. Sorry.
Thank you anyways for looking! Wouldn’t have thought I’d get an answer. :D
Cheers