5 Local Ad Slogans of Years Gone By
1. “The beer that is beer”
Advertisers have been known to make exaggerated claims about their products, but back in the day Walter’s Brewing Co. of Eau Claire went with a 100 percent factual approach to promote its signature brew. “The Beer That is Beer” indeed was beer, and local drinkers loved it. When Northwoods Brewing revived the classic label a few years ago, they brought back the motto, too.
2. “A bear for wear”
This slogan is another golden oldie from a classic Chippewa Valley business, namely the Gillette Safety Tire Co. – eventually known as Uniroyal-Goodrich. Nearly a century ago, founder Raymond B. Gillette reportedly used this phrase to describe the toughness of his tires. The motto, accompanied by a fierce-looking polar bear, was used for decades.
3. “Shoot some slices, shoot some shreds, shoot some salad ...”
All together now: “… Salad Shoo-terrrrrrrrrrr!” Technically, this is a jingle, not a slogan, but anyone who was near a TV during the Salad Shooter’s 1980s and ’90s heyday probably remembers it. The Salad Shooter was a big hit for Eau Claire’s own National Presto Industries.
4. “Save big money!”
Speaking of unforgettable jingles, Menards’ long-running claim that you can “Save Big Money!” has made the Eau Claire-based home improvement chain famous to millions across the Midwest. The immortal jingle was penned in 1972 by Bob Holtan, who was station manager at WAXX/WAYY radio in Eau Claire.
5. “TV-13 loves yooooooou!”
It makes no difference where you go, Eau Claire is the best hometown you know – at least if you believe the sentiment from WEAU-TV’s “Hello Wisconsin!” campaign, which began in 1988 and went through several incarnations. Even today, a variation on the tune is used. What you may not know is that the “Hello” jingle, which originated at Milwaukee’s WISN-TV in 1977, has been used by stations in at least 167 cities worldwide (like this!), from Melbourne, Australia, to Calgary, Canada. Apparently, it really does make no difference where you go …