Why?
Because FRIDAY!
I think you’ve probably already figured out, based on title alone, that today’s commercial features a take on a once-popular song, much like Colgate attempted in a commercial that not only aired here and in the United Kingdom, and was a staple of Saturday morning television in the mid-1980s.
Today, we’re in 1990, and Crest’s Sparkly Blue Toothpaste Mascots are pedaling their Cool, Minty Wares and getting you to brush your teeth!
This time, we’re not waking all the sleepyheads, we’re doing the Crest Sparkle-Motion!
So what is the Crest Sparkle-Motion, you ask?
Allow today’s commercial to explain it, to the tune of “The Locomotion!”
And that’s how you do the Crest Sparkle-Motion.
It doesn’t involve jumping up, jumping back, but you’ll get the knack – and a decrease in cavities – because you brushed with the stuff the blue singers are made of!
Ew, that’s weird.
Sparkle Crest, now known as Kid’s Crest, was introduced in the 1980s, featuring these pompadour-sporting, sunglasses-wearing, blue versions of the Ghostbusters logo singing about the glory of Sparkly Blue toothpaste.
Crest itself was introduced as “Fluoristan” in 1954, but became “Crest with Fluoristan” in 1955. It is currently owned by Procter and Gamble, and comes in eight product lines: Gum Health, 3D White, Kid’s Crest, Pro-Health, Sensitivity, Enamel, Clean + Fresh, and Future-Proof.
As for the song “Crest Spark-Motion,” this is actually a very inspired take on Little Eva’s 1962 song “The Loco-Motion,” penned by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, later remade by Grand Funk Railroad in 1974, Carole King in 1980, Kylie Minogue in 1987 (my favorite version), which I’m sure helped to inspire this advertising campaign.
The flavor of Sparkle Crest was described as “Bubblemint,” a hybrid of mint and bubblegum flavors. It was around at least through the 1990s, but I can’t even confirm that, which makes this nice and mysterious. And for me, that’s better than the disappointment that something is discontinued completely.
Which it wasn’t.
Not even the blue color has been discontinued!
While the name itself – and the mascots – are long discontinued, the actual concept is still alive as Kids’ Crest. “Crest Sparkle-Motion” isn’t getting kids rushing to brush in 2022, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was effective advertising.
And if that doesn’t work, the tube is clear!
Have a fantastic Flashback Friday, and a great weekend!