Advertising and Christmas

The holidays and advertising come together to bombard you with Christmas ads earlier and earlier every year. It's a long-standing connection that runs so deep that it has become a part of Christmas itself.

Many people know of the Montgomery-Ward copywriter who penned the story of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," but many are unaware of a man named Thurl Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft was the baritone-voiced crooner of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" from the cartoon classic "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," as well as the long-time voice of advertising icon Tony the Tiger. He isn't well known for these roles because his name was left off the credits for the Grinch and ads rarely have credits.

So this year, remember a man who helped advertising completely and utterly dominate the holiday season - spend Christmas morning eating a box of Frosted Flakes and watching "Mr. Grinch" on TV. It'll be "grrrreat!"