 Meow
Mix Cat - The feline mascot of the Ralston Purina's Meow Mix cat food
who chanted the company's repetitive catchphrase "Meow, Meow, Meow, Meow..." in
a number of TV commercials since the 1970s. The first Meow Mix commercial
entitled "Singing Cat" was created by the Della Femina, Travisano & Partners in
New York in 1972. The TV spot featured a cute orange tabby singing the now
classic lyrics "Meow, meow, meow, meow..."
According to the New York Times article (3/26/2002) "Jerry Della Femina, now
chairman at Della Femina Rothschild Jeary & Partners in New York, said that the
shots of the cat ''singing'' were not initially intended. The cat was actually
choking on cat food when it was recorded, and executives later decided to add
music for a lip-sync effect."
A later ad campaign created by Avrett Free Ginsberg in New York centered on
the experiences of Frank, a cat owner, and his cat, Baxter, in situations
including a wedding scene and a charter boat.
In one of them, Baxter called up his master on the phone and recited his
"Meow Meow" slogan to let his owner know that he wanted something to eat.
After Ralston Purina sold the company to a Boston investment firm, J. W.
Childs Associates, the Meow Mix cat was revived. These 2002 spots were created
by Kirshenbaum Bond agency. Richard Thompson, chief executive at the Meow Mix
Company hoped the new campaign would ''appeal to older people who have seen the
commercial before, but also younger consumers who are not familiar with the
original commercial and the brand's humorous theme, ''Tastes so good, cats ask
for it by name.''
TRIVIA NOTE: In May of 2002, the Meow Mix Company. in Secaucus, New Jersey premiered a
half-hour program on the Oxygen cable channel. The program announced
called Meow TV featured entertainment geared toward cats (scenes of bouncing
balls, birds, mice, etc.) and offer advice to cat owners, as well. See also -
"Morris the Cat"
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