It was 35 years ago today, 17 December, that The Simpsons first appeared on our screens. The enduring popularity of this yellow phenomenon is evidenced by the fact that it is the longest-running animated show in history and by the many Guinness World Records for the longest-running sitcom, the longest-running animated series, the most guest stars in a series, the most Emmy Awards won by one person and a team, and the most searched-for series on the internet. So, it is no surprise that we see the Simpsons a lot in TV spots.
Homer, Bart and Lisa started getting their first roles in ads in 1988. Over the decades, many well-known brands have become associated with the characters of the popular cartoon. Their list covers a wide range of categories, but Homer’s popularity in snacks leaves no one in doubt that fast food chains and all sorts of goodies are a large group that has successfully ridden the wave of the Simpsons’ popularity. Homer’s favourite doughnuts have been replaced by candy bars, chips, burgers and sugary sodas in adverts. And the list of advertisers includes big brands like Coca-Cola, Tic Tac and Doritos.
Video: Burger King - Compilation of ads (1990 - 2007)
Video: Coca-Cola - Opening Happiness (2010)
Video: Tic Tac - Limited Edition (2016)
Video: Doritos Great Britain (1997)
Video: KFC Canada (1993)
Everyone remembers the iconic scene from the opening theme - Marge and little Maggie drive the car home and honk in synchrony at Homer, who is obstructing the way. The car, the typical means of transport of a trueborn American, therefore unsurprisingly plays a prominent role in the following spots.
Video: Toyota (1992 - 1993)
Video: Renault Kangoo (2010)
Video: Subaru (2016)
According to Statista.com, the 35th season of this animated comedy series attracted an average of 1.74 million viewers.
A survey among media buying agencies showed that a 30-second ad spot during the airing of The Simpsons in the 2020/21 season cost approximately $126,000. And because the yellow guys live the endless consumerist life of the classic American, reacting to current events and asking everyday questions of us all, there are many ads for credit cards, financial services, cosmetics, or even toys and video games. If you don’t already have a mind full of hilarious yellow madness and have an hour to spare, you can watch a nearly hour-long compilation of ads.
Video: Master Card (2004)
Video: Vizir France (1996)
Video: The Simsons Ad Compilation
Every member of the Simpsons has starred in ads, and Homer, Bart and Lisa have become global influencers over time. Famous products also reach viewers through product placement on the show and other various forms of promotion. It’s no wonder that the connection between beloved characters and a brand just works, and in the case of America’s most famous family, this holds true time and time again. Even after all these years, the yellow cartoon characters have lost none of their appeal and have become part of the lives of the general public and advertisers alike.
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