Hasta La Creative!

Richard D. Trentlage, the man who composed the famous Oscar Mayer wiener jingle, died of congestive heart failure, at the age of 87, on September 21, The New York Times reports.

Trentlage worked at several top agencies including McCann and D’Arcy before launching his own jingle-writing firm.

His most famous contribution to advertising was the Oscar Mayer jingle which ran for 52 years, beginning in 1963, a feat his family claims, in an online obituary, is a record.  The jingle, Trentlage recalled in a 2012 interview with The Wisconsin State Journal, was a last minute effort. Trentlage wrote it in September of 1962 after hearing about Oscar Mayer’s jingle contest from a colleague at JWT the day before the deadline. Its opening line was inspired by his son’s declaration, “I wish I could be a dirt bike hot dog” (about a dirt bike-riding friend). Trentlage finished composing the tune in about an hour and recorded it in his living room recording studio, playing banjo-ukelele while his daughter Linda, then nine-years-old, belted out the vocals.

Chairman Oscar G. Mayer Sr. selected the jingle as the winner of the contest and from its humble origins in Trentlage’s living room it went on to be heard in 21 English-speaking countries (including all 50 states) and become a pop culture icon. The Simpsons even payed tribute to the jingle when it was sung by Jon Lovitz‘s Jay Sherman character in a crossover with The Critic.

Some of Trentlage’s other well-known jingles include “Wow! It sure doesn’t taste like tomato juice” for V8, “McDonald’s is your kind of place!” and “Buckle up for safety, buckle up!” (a 1964 National Safety Council PSA).

Trentlage is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, daughters Linda Bruun and Becky Trentlage, sons David and Tom, stepdaughters Susan Jennings and Patricia Kelley, stepson Jeffrey Davis, 19 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

The Wienermobile is one of the world’s most revered vehicles, seemingly capable anything, except for one pretty major flaw: It doesn’t actually deliver hot dogs.

Which is part of the reason why Oscar Mayer just created a miniature version called the Wiener Rover—a tiny, indestructible beast that will roam the country delivering a “precious cargo of warm, ready-to-eat hot dogs to fans wherever they find it.”

The Wiener Rover is one-seventh the size of the Wienermobile. It’s 23 inches tall by 43 inches long—or using the Oscar Mayer measurement system, about four hot dogs by eight hot dogs. It is battery powered, travels up to 20 mph and can hold up to eight hot dogs, plus condiments.

“We consistently hear that people are hungry for a hot dog after they see the Wienermobile, but we have never been able to offer them the deliciousness they desire,” Corey Rudd, senior associate brand manager at Oscar Mayer, said in a statement. “We developed the Wiener Rover to go where no Wienermobile has gone before to surprise and delight our loyal fans at their local parks, beaches, festivals and beyond.”

Watch out, though. As you can see in the video, the Wiener Rover—which made its debut in New York City on Thursday, which was National Hot Dog Day—appears to have a mind of its own. It may, given the opportunity, jump up on your picnic table and just mash right through your carefully arranged picnic place settings.

In case you haven't experienced the surreal delight of being guided from slumber by the smoky allure of "the nostril's north star," then Oscar Mayer might have the alarm clock for you.

The brand's "Wake Up and Smell the Bacon" promotion will give out 4,700 bacon-scented smartphone attachments over the next month. Winners can use the gadget with a branded alarm app that wakes you with the aroma of sizzling bacon. 

Oscar Mayer and agency 360i deserve bonus points for the self-indulgent and rather hilarious video below announcing the giveaway. "When imagination blossoms," the Scandinavian narrator intones, "only this scent will guide you to your greatest awakening." 

Giving out 4,700 devices might sound generous, but it's a crafty long-term play for profitability. If you're going to wake up daily to the smell of bacon, you're going to make damn sure you always have bacon in the house.

Late today, JWT announced that it’s Chicago office was ceasing operation and would be soon closing their doors. The shocking news, published in AdAge and The Chicago Tribune, notes that JWT had been a landmark Chicago agency since 1891 (prior to the World’s Fair), and was once heralded as the world’s largest agency network. Breaking the news to the remaining Chicago employees during a meeting, JWT’s North America President, Rosemarie Ryan, stated that keeping the office open was “Not an affordable proposition.” 
JWT’s Chicago office was the creative juice behind innovative campaigns that transcended advertising to play a part in American culture. Most of us have had the Oscar Mayer tune, “My bologna has a first name,” stuck in our heads. JWT also masterminded “Snap, Crackle, and Pop” for Rice Krispies, as well as branding 7UP as the “Uncola.”
During their 118 years of operation, many famous names walked the halls of JWT Chicago and have moved on to start new agencies, or are in key roles at competing shops. The demise of the Chicago office was as sudden as it was surpising, not only shocking the Windy City, but the industry as well. Former employees, adversaries, and well-wishers have left messages of sadness, anger, and condolence on both the AdAge and Tribune websites since the story broke. There is a small possibility that JWT will leave a satellite office in Chicago if the Illinois Tourism account, currently up for review, is retained. Today’s bleak news, however, will surely have a negative impact on this effort.