Top Ten Advertising Icons

Some of advertising’s best known creations have had huge impacts on western culture. Try and think of McDonalds without Ronald, or Michelin without Bibendum, and Frosties without Tony.

Advertising Age have put together their top ten advertising icons of the twentieth century.

“Many of the most famous ad icons were the brainchild of one agency: Chicago-based Leo Burnett Co., which specialized in building brands through the use of enormously popular characters, including the most effective icon of all time, the Marlboro Man.

“Advertising Age’s list of the Top 10 ad icons of the 20th century recognizes those images that have had the most powerful resonance in the marketplace. The criteria include effectiveness, longevity, recognizability and cultural impact.”

1. The Marlboro Man – Marlboro cigarettes
2. Ronald McDonald – McDonald’s restaurants
3. The Green Giant – Green Giant vegetables
4. Betty Crocker – Betty Crocker food products
5. The Energizer Bunny – Eveready Energizer batteries
6. The Pillsbury Doughboy – Assorted Pillsbury foods
7. Aunt Jemima – Aunt Jemima pancake mixes and syrup
8. The Michelin Man – Michelin tires
9. Tony the Tiger – Kellogg’s Sugar Frosted Flakes
10. Elsie – Borden dairy products