I had fully planned to write about something else tonight, but I came across this in my Google reader, and there was no way I could NOT write about it.
It seems that the hunky mascot for a certain lemon-scented floor cleaner has been moonlighting. In fact, he shows up in a supporting role in the adult feature American Daydreams in a scene with contemporary actress Brooke Banner. In the scene, Banner, the engenue of the piece, falls asleep after being tasked with cleaning the kitchen, and is paid a visit – a sexy visit – by Mr. Clean himself.
We all know that television advertising is declining, but this is a sad wakeup call for the ad world. The classic spots between soap operas made Mr. Clean, but fewer television spots means less residuals for this iconic actor. Forever typecast as a buff, attractive, yet hetro cleaning companion, attempts to pick up even character work elsewhere would be futile. With no reliable income to fund his gold earring, head wax and meth habits, a man who once had the respect of millions of housewives is now reduced to working in the sex trade. If something isn’t done, it’s only a matter of time before the Pillsbury Doughboy ends up blowing guys in a phone booth for struedel.
The lesson here for marketers: sure, your brand is strong – but are people fucking it on camera? I thought not.
[via Advertising Lab]
