One of my greatest childhood memories was Friday nights with my family. My mom would throw nutrition out the window and we would play games or watch movies while noshing on pigs-in-a-blanket, M&Ms and Skittles. To this day, the smell of fresh bread and Skittles takes me back.
After all these years, it’s still a bit of a mystery on who actually created the Skittles brand, however, we know the company was founded in the UK in 1974, and they arrived in the United States five years later. They were a popular import treat until the first US plant began producing them in 1982. Skittles, if you do not know, are a fruit candy with a crunchy shell and chewy center with the letter ‘S’ stamped on the front. They come in a rainbow of colors and a variety of fruity flavors. You are probably more familiar with the original red packaging, but they’ve also come in, at one point or another, Tropical, Wild Berry, Sour, Darkside, Desserts and more! The company is currently owned by the Wrigley Company.
Their “Taste the Rainbow” campaign debuted in 1994, which was created by D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles, an ad agency in New York. The clever campaign is currently the longest running advertising campaign in history. The campaign varied from a child whispering, “Skittles, taste the rainbow,” to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, challenging a Skittles portrait of himself to sing higher. You can check out a compilation of Skittles’ commercials below.
Why is it Called Skittles?
It seems that Skittles’ shape is a highly miniaturized version of the disk-like object used in a game called ‘skittles.’ Skittles, the game, has been played in England, Wales, Scotland, and other European countries for a few centuries. Very similar to bowling, skittles involves throwing a rubber or wooden sphere (the skittle) at 9 pins and was played outdoors and in pubs. In London, however, the skittle was made of wood and called cheese because its shape was reminiscent of a cheese round.
So while skittles and beer may not seem like a natural match, it’s clear the Skittles shape was inspired by the game. How about Skittles and football? Marshawn Lynch launched the candy into further fame with his pre-game good luck charm.
Do you have a favorite Skittles commercial? Post it below! Thanks for reading Why is Skittles Called Skittles! #whyisitcalledskittles
Chloie Parsons is the Chief Creative Mind at C2C Designs. When she is not merrily building brands, you can find her painting, illustrating, kayaking the lakes, or at the river fly-fishing.”
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