Muppet Wiki

Kermiteye Welcome to Muppet Wiki!


Please visit Special:Community to learn how you can collaborate with the editing community.

READ MORE

Muppet Wiki
Register
Advertisement

The Ad Council is a non-profit agency which, since 1952, has been the leading producer of television public service announcements, often "sponsored" by specific non-profit groups and government agencies. Ad Council spots typically address such issues as public safety, personal health, and wider issues such as adoption. Their best known creations include Smokey Bear and McGruff, the dog who "takes a bite out of crime." Various advertising agencies over the years have donated their services in creating the campaign.

Cookie Monster[]

Muppet_PSA_-_Cookie_Monster_for_the_Ad_Council

Muppet PSA - Cookie Monster for the Ad Council

Over the years, many Ad Council campaigns have involved the participation of celebrities. In 1974, their "Nutrition Campaign" featured Cookie Monster, in both 30-second and 60-second versions of the same spot. The spot was scripted by Norman Stiles, with input from Louis DiJacobs of Young, Rubican and Associates.

Decades before the "Veggie Monster" controversy, Cookie Monster encourages healthy eating habits. To the astonishment of a roving reporter (off-screen voice-over), Cookie Monster explains that even he can't eat only cookies and expect to be healthy. He proceeds to dine on meat and fish, carrots and peas, fruits, and then milk. For dessert, Cookie Monster brings out a whistle, summoning a truck load of cookies.

The ad was filmed on September 16, 1974 in Staten Island.[1] Caroly Wilcox performed Cookie's right hand.[2] The commercial is available for viewing at the Paley Center for Media.

Car Seats[]

Sesame_psa_ad_council_buckle_up

Sesame psa ad council buckle up

One spot produced and aired in the late 1990s featured Elmo, Big Bird, Maria, and Gabi.

Autism Awareness[]

AdCouncilJulia

In July 2019, the Ad Council, in partnership with Sesame Workshop and Autism Speaks, rolled out its Autism Awareness multimedia campaign, specifically promoting the importance of early screening and diagnosis of autism. The campaign included two PSAs starring Julia. A 60 second promo features her playing with her dog Rose and her father Daniel. Another 30 second promo (with a 15 second variation) features Julia playing music with her brother Samuel and Elmo. These ads were also dubbed in Spanish.[3][4]

In response to the campaign, the Autism Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) ended their partnership with Sesame Workshop. ASAN claimed materials relating to the campaign stigmatized children with autism and their families.[5]

COVID-19 Vaccinations[]

A_Message_from_Gonzo_and_Pepe

A Message from Gonzo and Pepe

In April 2021, Sesame Workshop produced a PSA with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative promoting free COVID-19 vaccinations. The promo featured a letter U (Stephanie D'Abruzzo) singing a re-written version of "I'll Be Seeing You" and appearing superimposed over reused scenes from Sesame Street. (YouTube)

In May, Gonzo and Pepe the King Prawn appeared in a PSA in collaboration with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. (YouTube)

Sources[]

  1. Jim Henson's Red Book entry, 9/16/1974 – Film Public Service Nutrition Commercial with Cookie M. in Staten Is.
  2. ToughPigs — "A Conversation with Caroly Wilcox," Puppetimes, October 2019
  3. Ad Council press release, July 23, 2019
  4. Fast Company "Julia, Sesame Street's autistic muppet, has a new campaign to help teach parents about autism." by Ben Paynter, July 23, 2019.
  5. Fast Company "Sesame Street's autistic muppet, Julia, was a huge success-why some of her developers are now cutting ties." by Ben Paynter, August 12, 2019.

External links[]

Wikipedia has an article related to:
Advertisement