6 Commercial Characters Who Make Great Halloween Costumes

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October 26, 2017

Halloween is one day a year when brands can really see how much their advertising has impacted American culture by how many costumes look like their mascots. It’s a one-of-a-kind PR tactic. Kids and adults love to dress as their favorite movie and TV characters, but sometimes it’s the guys from commercials that people honor.  Here are 6 popular Halloween costumes straight from TV ads that you might see this year, or even wear for yourself.

  1. Flo from Progressive

    Source: Walmart

She’s everyone’s favorite insurance salesperson. Flo has appeared in over 100 Progressive TV commercials and developed a cult following on social media because she’s so darn perky. Millions of girls dress in her white outfit with the apron and nametag for Halloween, and guys have crushes on her. Don’t forget to include the “name your price” tool.

  1. The Orbit Girl

Source: Bates Meron

Dirty mouth? Clean it up. Orbit gum has had a British-speaking spokeswoman for over 15 years encouraging people to freshen their breath by chewing gum. The funny part is that the latest actress in the commercials, Farris Patton, is actually American. She always has a pack of gum to give to fans when they recognize her in the street. Throw on a business casual outfit complete with the scarf and, of course, a pack of Orbit Gum to hold right next to your face. It’s fabulous, no matter what.

  1. Jake from State Farm

    Source: Bell and McCoy

    All you need is a red shirt and a pair of…uhh…khakis. State Farm launched a commercial in 2011 that a showed a man talking on the phone at 3:00 a.m. to a State Farm employee named Jake, and his wife went paranoid thinking it was someone else. The point is that State Farm offers 24/7 customer service. Jake only appeared once but the ad ran for over three years and became popular enough that people could recite it verbatim. The actor’s real name was Jake, so this costume is perfect for anyone with that name.

    4. Old Spice Man

    Source: MyDisguises.com

He’s how every man should smell. Old Spice Man, notably played by former NFL star Isaiah Mustafa, can address the camera while transitioning through various costumes, locations, and activities without ever breaking eye contact. The campaign became an overnight word-of-mouth success and has been parodied many times in pop culture. He became one of the fastest growing interactive online campaigns ever. Although the product is for men, the ads target women because most of them are the decision makers. They want their men to smell good. The costume is simple: shirt tied around your neck, towel around your waist, a nice smile, and a bottle of Old Spice in your hand.

5. The Most Interesting Man in the World

Source: Smosh

He doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does, he prefers Dos Equis. The Heineken-owned brand launched the interesting campaign in 2006 starring actor Jonathan Goldsmith.  Critics described him as Salvador Dali meets Chuck Norris. The idea was to have a sophisticated bilingual spokesman who could do anything better than anyone else and do it in style. Every man wants to be him. It paid off when sales of Dos Equis increased every year since the campaign launched. He also became a viral internet meme with people posting “I don’t always_____, but when I do I_____.” He wears a suit, has gray hair, a beard, and a cold bottle of Dos Equis in his hand. Stay thirsty, my friends.

6. Mayhem from Allstate

Source: Bates Meron

The personification of every accident we hope never happens, including car wrecks. Allstate created Mayhem, played by actor Dean Winters, in 2010 as a competitor to Flo and the Geico gecko. He is now one of the most recognized insurance characters. You just need to wear a suit and use makeup to make your face look bruised, complete with a stitch. The pink headband is optional, it was in only one commercial. He just wants you to have the right insurance coverage. Are you in good hands?

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