Charmin

The Charmin Logo

Charmin ( /ˈʃɑrmɨn/) is a brand-name of toilet paper manufactured by Procter & Gamble.

History

The Charmin name was first created in 1928 by the Hoberg Paper Company in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 1950, Hoberg changed its name to Charmin Paper Company and continued to produce bath tissue, paper napkins, and other paper products. Procter & Gamble (P&G) acquired Charmin Paper Company in 1957, but sold the right to make and market the product in Europe (where it is now known as Cushelle) to SCA in 2008.

Advertising

Older American advertisements featured actor Dick Wilson, who played the fictional grocer Mr. George Whipple who told customers, "Please don't squeeze the Charmin!" in more than 500 commercials between 1964 and 1985.^[1]

The Charmin Bear was introduced in 2000, reviving the White Cloud Toilet Paper|White Cloud bears from an advertising model abandoned when White Cloud toilet paper line was re-branded Charmin Ultra in 1993.^[2] The new animated advertising campaign was called "Call of Nature." This coincided with the launch of Charmin in Canada. The Charmin bear is now mascot for Charmin Ultra Strong and Charmin Ultra Soft.

European rebrand to "Cushelle"

From February 2010, the product's European brand name was changed to Cushelle by manufacturer SCA.^[3] There is also a new mascot, Koala which is a koala. In the advertisements for Cushelle, they are voiced-over by Robert Webb.

Times Square Charmin restrooms

In 2006, Charmin opened up public restrooms in New York City's Times Square. The location is now a new Disney Store. The convenience of having clean restrooms in Times Square during the Christmas season was a novel idea. There is currently no news of a 2011 Charmin restroom location at this time.

Slogans

• Don't Squeeze the Charmin (1960s)
• Once it's gotcha, it's gotcha! (1980s)
• Ch-ch Choose Charmin. (1993–1997)
• Best for "Bear" Bottoms. (1997–1999)
• Cha-cha-cha Charmin. (1999–2007)
• Less Is More! (2000–2004)
• Look for it in a color package. (2007-2010)
• Enjoy the Charmin experience. (2009–present)
• Enjoy The Go. (2007–present)

Environmental impact

In February 2009,^[4] Greenpeace advised consumers not to use Charmin toilet paper stating that it does not use recycled paper and uses ECF bleaching.^[5]

German rebrand to Zewa

In 2008, Charmin was rebranded Zewa in Germany. There was no mascot in the commercials, but in the first Zewa commercial the Charmin bear was seen.

Cushelle movie

A new 61-minute movie will be made in 2012 that will feature the voice of Emma Tate as the Cushelle koala, Kristel. This CGI-animated feature-length special features the mascot climbing up a tree in a village called Koalaland. It will run throughout the spring on Cartoonito, the children's pre-school programming slot owned by Turner Broadcasting System broadcasting channels.

References

1. ^ [1] Associated Press report, November 19, 2007 ("Wilson appeared in over 500 commercials for Charmin between 1964 and 1985"), accessed same day
2. ^ [2] Media Business Advertising May 6, 1993 (P.& G. Sacrifices White Cloud in Battle of Brands)
3. ^ [3] Mad.co.uk January 25, 2010 (Charmin rebrands to Cushelle)
4. ^ http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/02/25/greenpeace-releases-latest-recycled-tissue-and-toilet-paper-guide/
5. ^ http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/assets/binaries/tissue-guide-view-at-a-glance

External links

• Charmin website
• Cushelle website
• Free Charmin Extender to hold the Charmin Mega Roll away from recessed toilet paper holders