Animal: Gecko

Claim to Fame: Voted America's favorite advertising icon in 2005

The Geico gecko, easily recognized by his cheery British accent, is the result of a brainstorming session and a Screen Actor's Guild strike. Geico's (Government Employees Insurance Company) advertising agency, The Martin Company of Richmond Virginia, held a creative meeting to discuss Geico. The fact that Geico's name is often mispronounced as "gecko" was brought up and a sketch of a gecko resulted. A Screen Actor's Guild strike, which precluded the use of live actors, set the stage for the debut of the Geico Gecko during the 1999-2000 television season. The Day Gecko was originally voiced by actor Kelsey Grammer, who used a posh, upper-class British accent. Currently, the gecko's voice is provided by English actor and comedian, Jake Wood. Mr. Wood's accent is more working-class. CGI magic produces a talking gecko and the gecko's no-nonsense, slyly humorous observations have proven to be a hit with the auto insurance audience; a broad market that is not easy to target.

Animal: Large red tabby tomcat

Nicknames: "The Clarke Gable of Cats" or "The Feline Burt Reynolds"

Morris, the spoiled and pampered spokescat for 9Lives brand cat food, is a commercial legend. Morris was originally played by a cat named Lucky, who deserved his name because he was adopted from the Hinsdale, Illinois Humane Society in 1968 by Bob Martwick, a professional animal trainer, shortly before the cat was scheduled to be put down. Lucky reigned from 1969 until his death in 1975, when he was replaced by Harry the Cat. All cats that play Morris must be rescues, whether they come from an animal shelter or a cat rescue.

In 2006, Morris was shown adopting a kitten from a Los Angeles shelter. This kitten, L'il Mo, was to be the first in his campaign, Morris's Million Cat Rescue.

Morris has been the subject of a book, MORRIS: THE INTIMATE BIOGRAPHY by Mary Daniels (1974) and he has also written three books: THE MORRIS APPROACH, THE MORRIS METHOD, and THE MORRIS PRESCRIPTION. In addition to advertising 9Lives cat food, Morris appears as a spokescat to promote responsible pet adoption, ownership, and animal health. Morris also appeared in the 1973 movie Shamus which also starred Burt Reynolds and Dyan Cannon. Morris is voiced by John Irwin, of "He-Men and the Masters of the Universe."

In recent history, a cat was noticed at a Los Angeles shelter. The cat was later adopted and named Sir Gregory. When it was decided that Sir Gregory was the best cat to play Morris, the woman who adopted him was approached. She was willing for her new cat to play Morris, until she realized that meant she would have to give him up! She declined and another cat was eventually found.

Animal: Bull Terrier

Nickname: Ultimate Party Animal

Spuds McKenzie, 1987's Marketing Dog of the Year, first appeared that year in a Bud Light Beer Superbowl commercial. Spuds, who often appeared with three beautiful women called the "Spudettes," was played by a female Bull Terrier named Honey Tree Evil Eye. Honey Tree Evil Eye was owned by Stan and Jackie Oles of North Riverside, Illinois.

Promoting the high life, commercials found Spuds dancing, skateboarding, high-diving, playing hockey, and riding horses. This icon also lent his image to a line of clothing, beach towels, key chains, and more. Spud also appeared in the 1987 movie, "Rented Lips."

While Spuds' commercials were very successful, some groups found his promotion of alcohol in the good life too dangerous. Groups such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) lodged complaints with the FCC. The FCC's investigation found no proof of this, but Bud Light pulled the campaign in 1989. Spuds was later "drafted" to lecture young people about the dangers of drinking and driving. Spuds died of kidney failure on May 31, 1993. She was 10-years-old.

Animal: Chihuahua

Slogan: Yo quiero Taco Bell (I want Taco Bell)

Taco Bell's successful ad campaign launched in September of 1997. Played by Gidget, a Chihuahua born two years earlier, the spokesdog is voiced by Carlos Alazraqui. Mr. Alazraqui's voice can also be heard in television shows such as "The Fairly Odd Parents," "Rocko's Modern Life," "SpongeBob SquarePants," "Futurama," and "Reno 911!"

Speaking with the aid of CGI, the dog's slogan "Yo queiro Taco Bell" has become part of our lexicon, as has "Drop the chalupa!" Toy figures of the tiny dog were produced and in 2002, Gidget made a cameo appearance in a Geico commercial featuring their spokesgecko!

Some Hispanics decried Gidget's campaign, calling it stereotypical. Taco Bell denied this, but stopped running the ads in 2000 for another campaign.