This is a list of notable mascots and characters created specifically for advertising purposes, listed alphabetically by the product they represent.
The list
Company Character(s) Years used Notes Birds Eye Captain Birdseye 1967–present British American TobaccoBruno (HB-Männchen)1958-1972Used in Germany to advertise for the cigarette brand HB. The choleric little man that literally blew up in the air when in anger and was cooled down when smoking a HB cigarette, is considered one of the most popular mascots in German advertising history.CadburyCadbury Caramel Bunny1980s Carrefour Poland Kerfuś 2022–present Churchill Churchill 1996–present Voiced by Bob Mortimer and partners Vic Reeves in adverts. Cillit Bang Barry Scott 2007–2016 Has been replaced by a mechanic dancing to a remix of "she's a maniac" from Flashdance. Compare the Market Aleksandr Orlov January 2009–present Voiced by Simon Greenall Confused.com Cara Confused 2010–2013 Brian the Robot 2013–2016 Deutsche TelekomRobert T-Online1999-2003Portrayed by Matthias Kostya, similar in appearance to the character Max Headroom Direct Line the Direct Line phone with wheels 1985–present in 2009 the Direct Line phone with wheels was given a voice by Stephen Fry and got an accomplice in the form of the Direct Line mouse with wheels, voiced by Paul MertonDr. OetkerFrau Renate1954-1960sPortrayed by Hannelore CremerErgo LebensversicherungHerr Kaiser1972–2009Portrayed by Günter Geiermann (1972–1990), Franz Michael Schwarzmann (1990–1996) and Nick Wilder (1996–2009); Used as the queen's disguise in the comedy film 7 Dwarves – Men Alone in the Wood (2004); Has a cameo in a 2017 Check24 commercialFerreroMr. Bon2011–presentUsed in Germany to advertise for the product Kinder Schoko-BonsNocci2023–presentName derived from the Italian word for hazelnut, "nocciola"Ole2020–presentUsed in Germany to advertise for the product Kinder Pingui Gocompare.com Gio Compario 2009–present Happy Eater'Mr. Happy'1973–1996HariboGoldbear1960–presentIgloKäpt'n Iglo1985–presentGerman mascot of the brand Little Chef 'Fat Charlie' 1960–present Lombard Direct the Lombard Direct phone 1995–present Michelin Bibendum (the Michelin Man) 1898–present MilkaMilka cow1971–present Milkybar Milky Bar kid 1961–1998, 2000–present the Milky Bar Kid is now computer generated and not an actual child Mr. OG Krispy Kreme Nederlandse Zuivel OrganisatieFrau Antje1961–presentPortrayed by Kitty Janssen (1961-1963), Emilie Bouwman (1963-1973, 1984-late 1980s), Ellen Soeters (1973-1984), Saskia Valencia (late 1980s-1998, Madeleen Driessen (1999-2011), Mendy Smits (2011-2014), Floor Schothorst (2014–2018), Nyncke Bergman (2018-2025) and Annemarijn Kool (2018-2021, 2025-)) Nescafé Gold Blend The Gold Blend couple 1987–1996 an episodic romance revolving around coffee, which spawned a 1993 novelization. Also used in Taster's Choice ad campaigns in the United States. Orange Polska Serce and Rozum 2010–present The characters were originally developed for Telekomunikacja Polska, which in 2012, become Orange Polska. Characters had appeared for the last time in television commercial in 2017, however they are still used by the company on its social media. Oxo the Oxo family 1983–1999 118 118 the 118 118 men 2003–present the 118 118 men became the 118 118 team in 2006 and was themed as an A team parody Sheilas' Wheels The Sheilas 2007–present Played by Emma Robbins, Carly Romain and Cathi Ogden. The trio would later become a pop group after the commercials took off and continued to perform in this capacity during their live appearances Tayto Mr. Tayto 1954–Present Irish crisp company Tesco Stores Ltd Tommy Tesco and Flynn the Frog 2011–Present Tommy is voiced by Stephen Mulhern Tetley the Tetley Tea Folk 1973–2001, 2010–present Walkers Dez, "The Number One Spice Girls Fan!" 2019 Forsakes himself (and embarrasses the entire United Kingdom on social media) for refusing to share his Walkers Crisp with the Spice Girls after winning a chance to tour with the act; his Mum shames him by leaving with the girls
See also List of American advertising characters List of Australian and New Zealand advertising characters List of Japanese advertising characters
References