Here’s some background information about Tony the Tiger:
Tony began to be humanized in the 1970s; he was given an Italian-American nationality and consumers were briefly introduced to more of Tony’s family including Mama Tony, Mrs. Tony, and a daughter, Antoinette. Tony was a popular figure among the young Italian-American population and it showed in 1974, where he was deemed “Tiger of the Year” in an advertising theme taken from the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The advertising theme declared, “This is the Year of the Tiger and Tony is the Tiger of the Year.” Later that year, Tony graced the covers of Italian GQ and Panorama. In addition to Tony’s success, during this decade, son Tony Jr. was even given his own short-lived cereal in 1975, Frosted Rice. He would make a comeback in the 2000s by replacing his father as the official mascot.
Amazing that Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes advertising over the years has never exploited Tony’s heritage, integrating Mafia stereotypes or Fat Tony references. The brand has introduced Tony’s wife, son, daughter and mother—but no Godfather…?
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