New hope for gum advertising? (Bubble Gum Weekend)

There may yet be hope for the world of bubble gum advertising.

I've long lamented the sad state of affairs of commercials for gum - and other goods, for that matter. But especially gum, an industry that had some of the most creative ads 30 years ago, but is now known for commercials that almost make you want to staple your eyelids shut. Maybe it's for the better that there don't seem to be as many gum ads as there used to be.

The state of bubble gum advertising is a bit like the late '80s decline of the motif that accompanied MTV VJ's. Up until then, MTV used a friendly setting that looked like the attic of a neighborhood record shop. But following this change, VJ's instead appeared in front of forgettable film sequences.

It's also of reminiscent of what Moe did to his tavern in a certain episode of 'The Simpsons': In that installment, Moe converted his working-class bar into a boring yuppie nightclub. The TV screen with the giant eyeball reminds one of the downfall of gum advertising images.

But I've just found a recent gum commersh that indicates that there might be a future after all for gum ads.

This entertaining ad for Hubba Bubba Glop appears to be from just last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0ILkHQ9uOI

That commersh starts out somewhat appealing, with the animated jellyfish and all. But that's not what makes it reminiscent of the great bubble gum ads of old. Nor is the fact that one of the jellyfish bubbles.

The highlight from my nostalgic perspective is that catchy jingle at the end. It sounds like the old Hubba Bubba jingle from the Gum Fighter ads! It also sounds a bit like the Care-Free gum ads of the late '70s.

Maybe since we now have a real President like we had in 1979, jingles that sound like those from 1979 are making a comeback.