The
Keebler Elves - Community of elfin creatures living
in a hollow tree on a variety of TV spots produced for the
United Biscuit Company (No. 2 in the cookies and crackers
market). Their chief spokesman is Ernie the Elf, who sported
white hair, and a business outfit that included a red hat, white
shirt with yellow tie, green jacket, red vest, and yellow pants
with red socks. Created in 1968 by the Chicago-based Leo Burnett
Co., for the Keebler Company, Ernie and his industrial baker
elves espoused the "uncommonly good" products from the Hollow
Tree Bakery. Ernie was immortalized in fudge when Keebler
created E. L. Fudge, a fudge-coated shortbread cookie in the
shape of Ernie the Elf.
Other elves seen include a pudgy Fryer
Tuck, who touted the goodness of "Munch 'ems," two teenage elves
Zoot and J.J., Zoot's best friend who pushed pizza taste of "Pizzarias,"
as well as Ma Keebler, Ernie's mother; Elmer Keebler, a
baker-in-training; Buckets, who splashes fudge on cookies; Fast
Eddie, the cookie and cracker wrapper; Sam, the peanut butter
maker; Roger the cookie jeweler, Doc, the doctor and cookie
maker; Zack, the fudge shop foreman; Flo the Tree Accountant;
Leonardo the artist; and Professor, Edison, Larry, and Art.
Ernie and his Crew
TRIVIA NOTE: Located
at One Hollow Tree Lane in Elmhurst, Illinois 60126. the Keebler Company was named after Godfrey Keebler,
a baker who opened a shop in Philadelphia in 1853. In 1927 the
Keebler bakery joined forces with other bakers to form the
United Biscuit Company (later headquartered in West Drayton,
Middlesex, England.)
On March 2001, the Kellogg Company
from Battle Creek, Michigan acquired Keebler Foods Company
for $3.9 billion.
The Keebler Company also makes Zesta Crackers, Wheatable,
O'Boises, Ripplin' Snack Chips and Town House Crackers.
