'They're Grrreat': Chicago exhibit honors ad icons like Tony the Tiger, Pillsbury Doughboy

They're not TV's top stars - but they could have been.

A multimedia exhibition from the Museum of Broadcast Communications is paying homage to some of advertising's greatest icons, from the Pillsbury Doughboy to Frosted Flakes' Tony the Tiger.

The first-of-its-kind exhibition, "A Salute to Advertising's Greatest Icons," runs from May 9 through Oct. 31 at the museum. An opening reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the museum's Paul M. Lisnek Gallery.

Among the stars showcased are the Jolly Green Giant, Snap, Crackle & Pop, the Keebler Elves, Ronald McDonald, Mr. Clean, S.C. Johnson's Raid Bugs, Morris the Cat and StarKist's Charlie the Tuna. All transcended the small screen to become pop-culture icons.

"Historically speaking, television has been the premiere stage for some of the nation's most revered advertising characters," said Bruce DuMont, the museum's founder and president. "These beloved characters helped define many of the world's top consumer brands, and each has become synonymous with their brand in commercials, print ads, packaging and on grocery shelves."

The exhibit reviews the evolution of the characters from their creation to contemporary use through commercials, print ads, packaging and character memorabilia.

There's lots of insider trivia - for example, the Snap, Crackle & Pop trio once had a fourth character who was only used in a few commercials. "The Today Show" weatherman Willard Scott was the original Ronald McDonald. And an early depiction of the Jolly Green Giant was so scary, he made kids cry, says exhibit curator Jarrett Nathan.

Each ad icon also will be featured during its own special week, with character appearances, look-a-like contests, tastings, Facebook picture opportunities and other promotions.

The legacy of each icon lives on today, albeit in different forms, such as on social media, Nathan said. "This exhibition is a great way to honor characters that have been around for three generations," he said. "Their legacy is remarkable in that many TV spots and campaigns last only a year or two, and these characters are still going strong and have found a whole new world."

Nathan said a group narrowed down an initial larger list of icons to 10, choosing top consumer favorites to be included in the exhibition. And all were either created or developed in Chicago, he said.

"This can be a family event," he said. "If you grew up in the 1950s and know Tony the Tiger, even your grandkids may now know these same characters."