21 Advertising Mascots from the ’80s and ’90s You Forgot
The ’80s and ’90s were a golden era for advertising mascots—those quirky, lovable, and sometimes downright bizarre characters that convinced us to buy everything from breakfast cereal to fast food.
While some, like Ronald McDonald and Tony the Tiger, stood the test of time, others quietly faded into obscurity. But for a while, these mascots were everywhere—on our TVs, in our magazines, and even showing up as toys in our Happy Meals.
Let’s take a nostalgic trip back and revisit 21 advertising mascots from the past that you probably forgot existed!
1. The Noid (Domino’s Pizza)
For a brief moment in the ’80s, avoiding “The Noid” was a national obsession. This mischievous, red-suited gremlin was the archenemy of hot, fresh pizza, constantly trying to ruin Domino’s deliveries.
Despite his popularity, The Noid disappeared in the early ’90s—only to make a surprise return decades later.
2. Mac Tonight (McDonald’s)
Picture a man in a tuxedo with an oversized crescent moon for a head, crooning jazz tunes at a piano. That was Mac Tonight, McDonald’s smooth, late-night mascot of the ’80s.
Designed to make McDonald’s appeal to an older crowd, he was surprisingly successful—until legal issues and changing marketing strategies sent him into retirement.
3. Spuds MacKenzie (Bud Light)
This cool-dude bull terrier was the life of the party in the late ’80s, promoting Bud Light as the go-to beer for fun-loving partygoers.
Despite Spuds’ undeniable charisma, controversy over marketing beer to young audiences led to his early exit.
4. The 7UP Cool Spot (7UP)
Before emojis were a thing, 7UP had Cool Spot—a pair of sunglasses-wearing, attitude-packed red dot that starred in commercials (and even a video game).
While Spot was a mascot for a drink known for being caffeine-free, his hyperactive personality was anything but mellow.
5. Quiky (Nesquik)
Before the bunny we all recognize today, Nesquik’s chocolate milk was repped by Quiky, a hyperactive cartoon rabbit. Always racing around with his Nesquik fix, he embodied the idea that chocolate milk was an instant energy boost.
Over time, his look evolved, but the spirit of Quiky remains.
6. The California Raisins
A singing group made entirely of claymation raisins? That’s exactly what happened when the California Raisin Advisory Board created these jazzy little mascots in the ’80s.
Their Motown-style music made them a pop culture phenomenon, but by the ’90s, their popularity had… dried up.
7. The Burger King Kids Club Gang
Before Ronald McDonald had his crew, Burger King had the Kids Club Gang—a diverse group of cartoon kids, each with a distinct personality, who made Burger King the cool place to hang out.
While they ruled the ’90s, they eventually faded as fast-food advertising shifted focus.
8. Chester Cheetah (Cheetos – 80s Version)
Before he became the smooth-talking, slightly menacing Cheeto mascot we know today, Chester Cheetah was a wacky, high-energy cartoon with an attitude problem.
The earlier commercials were more slapstick and chaotic, a far cry from his later suave, cool-cat persona.
9. Fido Dido (7UP)
This laid-back, scribble-style cartoon character was the face of 7UP in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
With his carefree attitude and effortlessly cool vibes, he represented the chill, refreshing nature of the drink—before quietly disappearing.
10. Vince and Larry (Crash Test Dummies – PSA)
Before PSAs became all about shock value, there were Vince and Larry, the crash test dummies.
These humorous but educational mascots were the face of seatbelt safety in the late ’80s and early ’90s, using slapstick humor to remind us all to buckle up.
11. Mr. Six (Six Flags)
The mysterious, hyperactive old man who danced to “We Like to Party” in Six Flags commercials during the late ’90s was impossible to forget.
While his identity was never revealed, his wild energy and infectious enthusiasm made him a pop culture icon.
12. The Arby’s Oven Mitt
At one point, Arby’s decided their best mascot would be… a talking oven mitt.
Voiced by comedian Tom Arnold, this glove was meant to emphasize Arby’s freshly prepared sandwiches, but it never quite caught on, making it one of the more bizarre fast-food mascots.
13. The Energizer Bunny
Still technically around, but much less prominent, the Energizer Bunny was once unstoppable—literally.
Always “going and going and going,” this drumming pink rabbit was everywhere in the late ’80s and early ’90s, outlasting any competition in the battery world.
14. Geoffrey the Giraffe (Toys “R” Us – 90s Version)
Before Toys “R” Us shut down, Geoffrey the Giraffe was the face of childhood joy.
Though he existed long before the ’80s, his animated and more playful version from the ’90s is the one most remember.
15. The Taco Bell Chihuahua
“Yo quiero Taco Bell!” This tiny, sassy Chihuahua became a cultural phenomenon in the late ’90s with his catchy commercials.
However, controversy over cultural stereotyping led Taco Bell to retire him sooner than expected.
16. Jack (Jack in the Box)
Jack Box, with his oversized round white head and sarcastic wit, was revived in the mid-’90s after an earlier, less iconic version.
His witty and often edgy commercials made Jack in the Box stand out from its competitors.
17. Punchy (Hawaiian Punch)
“Hey, how about a nice Hawaiian Punch?”
This mischievous, punch-throwing mascot was a staple in ’80s and ’90s commercials before quietly disappearing when attitudes toward cartoon violence in marketing changed.
18. Grimace (McDonald’s – Early Version)
Before Grimace was the lovable purple blob, he was originally a villain with four arms who stole milkshakes.
This odd, early version of Grimace was quickly rebranded into the friendly, bumbling character we recognize today.
19. The Red and Yellow M&M’s (90s Personality Shift)
While Red and Yellow still exist today, their personalities were completely revamped in the ’90s.
Red went from a generic spokesperson to a sarcastic wiseguy, while Yellow became the lovable goofball—a change that turned them into pop culture staples.
20. Sprout (Green Giant’s Sidekick)
The Jolly Green Giant had a little sidekick named Sprout, who helped promote frozen and canned vegetables in the ’80s and ’90s.
While the Giant still looms large, Sprout eventually disappeared from the branding.
21. Morris the Cat (9Lives)
This sarcastic, cool-guy cat was the face of 9Lives cat food commercials, bringing a surprising humor to pet food advertising in the ’80s.
His witty attitude and disdain for anything less than 9Lives made him a fan favorite among cat lovers and commercial enthusiasts alike.