Disco, Disco Bear.....

A&W, an American restaurant chain which is still quite big in Canada, has been building on their history in this country since 1956. The walls of each restaurant are lined with their archive of pictures taken over the decades. This particular jingle may not be something they remember or want to remember fondly.

It's 1979, at the height of the disco era, and A&W doesn't want to be left out in relating to the young crowd. "Follow the root bear.." is about as intense as this jingle gets to a disco beat, but what's a bit surprising for me is the voice over announcer mixed in with the jingle. This guy is kinda creepy. Even in the loose and swinging era of the 70's, I really think any girl, even this guy's own sister, would run the other way instead of heading to A&W for a burger and fries. But who am I to say? I still think the guy comes off as creepy or desperate or maybe even both.

From 1979, A & W Food Services
Produced by Spot Shop, Vancouver
From Tape Sept 21st, 1979

:60 sec Disco with VO (cut 4 of 4 on the reel)





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PS:

After listening to the whole tape of the additional 3 spots, these are just as "good" (tongue in cheek on what you consider good in life) so i'm also including these as below:

A & W Country with V/O





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A & W Baroque with V/O




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A & W 50's with V/O




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We do need another soft drink commerical.......

For Pepsi lovers (though Pepsi is the "p" word in my vocabulary) I can't deny this memorable jingle from 1986 when Tina Turner was hot, and Pepsi was still recovering from Michael Jackson's TV commercial tinged locks.

The TV spot is also memorable, in fact I found it on You Tube
Here

Here is the full 60 second sung jingle with tag by none other then Martin Sheen, which was the announcer voice for the entire "choice of a new generation" campaign that Pepsi did in the summer of 1986. He would go on to.. Well, do I really have to tell you? IMDB is good for that stuff.

From 1986, Pepsi Cola Pepsi Brand
Produced by J Walter Thompson, Toronto
From Tape MCS-50727 (Media Communication Services)
"Tina solo with anncr. tag"
# R-2766-60 full




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It's Been 25 years.....

..since Coca Cola did either the stupidest idea in the company's history, or the smartest promotion they ever did. It really depends on how you look at it. In 1985, Coke came out with "New Coke" which from what I remember tasted more like Pepsi then anything else. A lot of people were upset, rallies, songs were written about not taking the old Coke away, but despite it all Coke plugged along with their promotion of the "new" Coke.

From 1985, "New Coke" radio spots (3 cuts)
Produced by Mccann Erickson Advtg.
From Tape 12713 May 30th, 1985

1."First Taste" 85-160-30
2."Had One" 85-162-30
3."Tried It" 85-161-30



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Then, at least in Canada, Coke caved with all the negative publicity about the "new Coke" or was really planned that way all along? It really makes you wonder. A heavy ad campaign called "The Great Canadian Vote for Coke" encouraged the public to call a toll free # and voice their thoughts about Coke. When it was all said and done, everyone won with the introduction of "Coke Classic" as this spot below explains:






From 1985
Produced by Mccann Erickson Advtg.
From Tape 12716 July 23rd, 1985

"Classic Announcement" 85-96-30
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Get Spanked By The Bunsmaster

Looking back at this Jingle for a chain of Canadian Bakeries which to my knowledge is long out of business, it really can lean towards the naughty if your mind is occasionally in the gutter like me.

From 1984, BUNSMASTER JINGLES
Produced by AD-VENTURE COMM, Toronto
From Tape MCS-41506 (media communication services)
:60 sec full Sing




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