Ad of the Day: Mr. Clean Is Freshened Up for Millennials With a Catchy Upgraded Jingle

Everybody's favorite bald, muscular clean-freak returns to TV commercials today with a revamped jingle from Leo Burnett Canada that's so kitschy-catchy, no amount of scrubbing will wash it out of your brain. With his sparkling white T-shirt and gleaming gold earring, the animated Mr. Clean character was developed by Chicago agency Latham-Laird and artist Richard Black in the late 1950s as a mascot for a new detergent-based product from Procter & Gamble. The big dude's obsession with making household surfaces shine has been featured in ads ever since, though this marks the first major update of his theme song—originally penned by Tom Scott Cadden—in decades: [jwplayer DpvunqSf-1kT9Z8rj] Hey, slinging those axes makes Mr. Clean look kind of like Moby, but with a better sense of melody and more of a career. While the ripped dude is most assuredly iconic, "we also discovered that there is something magical in the jingle," P&G associate brand director Kevin Wenzel tells Adweek. "We recognized that there was a uniquely ownable and relatable campaign in the jingle that could span generations." Lyrical tweaks reflect the changing times. For example, references to cleaning white sidewall tires and window sashes have been removed. Also excised: a line about shining a diamond ring, because of course, the American Dream died back in the Eisenhower days. Here's an early Mr. Clean commercial for comparison: [jwplayer LtizIuAv-1kT9Z8rj] Back in '58, Mom was expected to clean house, while Dad was presumably off boosting the GDP over a three-martini lunch. "We wanted to renew the jingle for today's millennial households," says Heather Chambers, creative director at Burnett Canada, making certain to show the product "helping to make the cleaning process easier with people from all walks of life." Here's a Spanish-language version of the spot, though the brand name is sung in English: [jwplayer fV5Hp4UB-1kT9Z8rj] P&G believes the concept cuts across generational and cultural lines, scoring points with those who grew up with the chrome-domed, ultra-hygienic hunk and appealing to folks unfamiliar with the Clean One's charms. "His inherent appeal is less about demographics, and more about the insight that people are still spending time they need to do a thorough clean in their homes," P&G's Wenzel says. "His strength and well-groomed appearance fit what the product promises. One glance at him and you know he represents cleaning power." As for the lingering debate over the character's sexuality—some say Mr. Clean is gay; others insist he's just a cartoon—Wenzel maintains: "His one true love is cleaning." Sing along if you can, to whatever version suits you, below. The Original Jingle Mr. Clean will clean up dirt & grime & grease in just 1 minute!Mr. Clean will clean your whole house & everything that's in it!Floors, doors, walls, halls, white sidewall tires, and old golf balls!Sinks, stoves, bathtubs he'll do, he'll even help with the laundry too! Q. Can he clean a kitchen sink?A. Quicker than a wink!Q. Can he clean a window sash?A. Faster than a flash!Q. Can he clean a dirty mirror?A. He makes it bright & cleaner!Q. Can he clean a diamond ring?A: Mr. Clean cleans anything! The 2016 Reboot Mr. Clean gets rid of dirt and grimeAnd grease in just a minuteMr. Clean will clean your whole houseAnd everything that's in it.Floors, doors, walls, hallsHe's so tough he cleans them allGrimy tubs and tiles he'll doso your bathroom looks clean and new!Mr. Clean gets tough on stuck on stuffcleans kitchens in a minuteMr. Clean will clean your whole houseAnd everything that's in it.Mr. Clean!Mr. Clean!Mr. Clean! CREDITS Client: Mr. CleanWhere TV Ads Ran: U.S., CanadaDate of Appearance: July 1, 2016Media Company: Hearts and Science Agency: Leo Burnett CanadaChief Creative Officer: Judy JohnCreative Director: Heather ChambersGroup Creative Directors Copywriter: Mike CookArt Director: Mike SheehanAgency Producer: Tina MuratovicGroup Account Director: Anchie ContractorAccount Executive: Aryana HassanAccount Supervisors: Samantha Sabatini, Spring MorrisPlanner: Dan Koutoulakis Production Companies: Skin and Bones; The Big PictureDirector: David HicksProducers: Andrew Sullivan, Dan Ford Editing Company: SchoolEditor: Jon Devries

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Ad of the Day: Mr. Clean Is Freshened Up for Millennials With a Catchy Upgraded Jingle

P&G updates a song that's 'ownable and relatable'

David Gianatasio

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David Gianatasio