Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Debut Commercials
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May 9, 2026 A romp through marketing firsts, from the Jolly Green Giant's origin to Mr. Potato Head's record-breaking debut. Hear how early car, fast food and toy commercials reshaped sales and mascots. Learn about pioneering pharmaceutical ads, early AIDS PSAs, and IKEA's controversial 1994 spot. Ends with the iPhone's famous 'hello' launch and reflections on how first ads sparked cultural change.
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Mr and Mrs Potato Head Launch
- The first-ever toy TV commercial targeted kids in 1952 for Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, telling children the box included face parts and they supplied the potato.
- That simple message sold over one million kits in the first year and unleashed a flood of toy ads.
Mustang's Simultaneous Network Launch
- Ford's first Mustang commercial in 1964 positioned the car as for a new generation wanting sports-car excitement and European elegance.
- The launch used all three major networks simultaneously and helped a million Mustangs sell within two years.
Ronald McDonald's Early Debut
- Ronald McDonald debuted in 1963 when a franchisee hired Bozo actor Willard Scott and transformed him into Ronald, complete with odd makeup and a tray hat.
- Early Ronald was called the Hamburger Happy Clown and wore a cup for a nose and a tray on his head.