Dogs in advertising

I've been wanting to write this post for a long, long time.  This morning, I spent about five minutes on Facebook and of course the Super Bowl ads are already out (makes people like me NOT watch the game, since the only reason I watch is for the ads!  Technology, greed, and instant gratification strike again.)

Have you ever noticed how many advertisements on TV utilize the family dog (or, better yet, puppies)?
So, on Facebook this morning, TWO of the regular Super Bowl ads are promoting their 2014 product using a dog.

Not to mention the Subaru ads which have been using their famous Subaru-driving dogs for several years now, to promote the dog lover's alternative to the Super Bowl.... The Puppy Bowl!  [This year in its 10th year!]

A year ago, I was pushy enough.... er, I mean FORTUNATE enough to be chosen as one of the bloggers to work with Subaru on their Dog Tested-Dog Approved Puppy Bowl campaign.  A huge fan of Subaru for nearly 30 years (I have lost count, but I've owned, leased and driven many Subarus in that time period), and a dog owner since I was a child, I just had to get in on that campaign.  It was a no-brainer.  Thankfully, they let me join them after much begging.  Hey, hanging around dogs, you learn how to beg like a champ.

My favorite Subaru of them all... my '09 Forester.
With Hobie and Charlie standing guard.

So anyway, back to the two Super Bowl ads:  The first one is from Audi -- another car manufacturer.  I will not spoil the ad because it is hilarious and there is someone famous in the ad which was totally unexpected and just cracked me up!! That's all I'm going to say.  You can find it yourself. I'm sure it's going viral as we speak... or be conventional and wait for the GAME, dagnabbit!

The second one is Budweiser's Super Bowl ad.  Now, anyone who knows me knows I'm a sap and I cry at all Hallmark and Budweiser ads.  This year's Bud ad is no exception.  It features a dog.  That's all I'm gonna say.  See above.

But this brings me back to the original observance, that of using dogs or puppies in advertising.  I'm not the first guy to write about this.  There are many blogs out there on this subject, and one person is even writing a book about the topic!  Cats are used in ads, too, but it's the family dog that seems to appear in more ads on TV, it is pretty amazing.  From insurance companies to investment banking, to automobiles and those annoying medication commercials.  Dogs in advertising are everywhere.  Does including a cute canine in a commercial bring in more business?  It must, right?

American corporations have been using dogs in advertising since before television was invented (and continue to use canines to advertise in magazines and newspapers for as long as those publications last).

Let's refresh our memories, shall we?  http://mentalfloss.com/article/22360/6-famous-advertising-dogs

Who, of a certain age, can forget Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon's famous Alpo lead-ins to commercial break! (two links there, because, you can't only watch just one!)

So, on behalf of Super Bowl fans everywhere..... Go!!! whichever team wins!