218. Plop-plop, Fizz-fizz, Oh what a relief it is!: ALKA-SELTZER Print Ads, 1956-57

ALKA-SELTZER, 1956 PHILIPPINE AD.

The most well-known  effervescent antacid and pain reliever in the 50s—ALKA SELTZER—became available in the Philippines as an imported product in the late 1920s, but it was only around 1951 that it was actively promoted. Made by Dr. Miles Medicine Co. of Indiana, U.S. in 1931, ALKA-SELTZER had 3 active ingredients—aspirin (for fever and pain), sodium bicarbonate (antacid) and citric acid (for effervescence)

 

SPEEDY appears in this 1957 Alka-Seltzer ad.

When advertised, ALKA-SELTZER was indicated for the relief of headache, fever and pain, acid stomach, indigestions and hangovers. It was one of the most advertised products in the world, and its commercials were among the most popular. 

Speedy, created in 1951 as the product mascot, was also one of the most recognized advertising character in history, and was extensively used in magazine ads that saw print in the Philippines,

The memorable "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz" ad campaign made its appearance in the Philippines featuring the animate mascot and a hit jingle. 

It was conceptualized by Paul Margulies, a Madison Avenue creative executive, and father of actress Julianna Margulies. The vintage 60s ad showed 2 ALKA-SELTZER tablets dropping into a glass of water instead of the usual one, which caused sales to double.  In 1976, the campaign was successfully revived, with jingle sung by Speedy.

WATCH THE ALKA-SELTZER TV AD HERE:

published by Steve Stout, 23 Apr. 2007

By the time Miles Laboratories was bought by Bayer in 1979, ALKA-SELTZER had disappeared from botica shelves, It is now only available as an imported product, which one can now order online.

 SOURCES:

Alka-Seltzer TV Commercial. uploaded by Steve Stout, published on April 23, 2007.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxjb2UJZ-5I

Alka-Seltzer Just a reliefe Away, pinterest.com

Alka-Seltzer, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alka-Seltzer