Assignment 2-2 Icon Analysis

The three contemporary icons I choose are the Clydesdale horses from Budweiser, the character of Hannah Montana, and the cartoon character of Winnie the Pooh. These icons have been commercialized to not only sell products, but also it represents some of our history. They are both classic and modern iconic symbols that are easily identified with a wide array of age groups.

The Clydesdale horses have been an iconic symbol for the Anheuser-Busch company since 1933. They were first introduced in 1933 when they were paraded down the street when prohibition was repealed. The horses are now featured in the famous Super Bowl commercials. The commercials are now highly anticipated and are watched over and over on the web. The horses are based in St Louis, Missouri. They are treated very well and are toured throughout the country. The horses represent to me a very successful marketing tool that has appealed to generations.

Hannah Montana is an iconic symbol of the Disney Company. Girls idolize her, imitate her, and aspire to be her. She represents someone who little girls can admire. She is a clean cut character that is for entertainment of the “tween” generation. The character of Hannah Montana has been marketed by companies hoping to cash in on the buying power of the “tween” generation. There have been CD’s, DVD’s, games, and other merchandise produced. It has turned into a multimillion dollar empire. Hannah Montana represents a character that girls can look up to. There are so many young female stars that have taken the wrong path and are setting bad examples for our impressionable youth.

Winnie the Pooh is a classic iconic character that dates to 1926 when his character was created by the mother of Christopher Robin, A.A. Milne. A.A. Milne wrote a series of children’s books that featured Winnie the Pooh and his friends. The book was then made into a film by Walt Disney in 1966. It was then that Winnie the Pooh grew even more popular. Winnie the Pooh is one of the most popular characters in the Walt Disney family of cartoon characters. He has had CD’s, DVD’s, and merchandise marketed with his image. Winnie the Pooh represents innocence for me. He has captured the love of both children and adults. I still love Winnie the Pooh even as an adult and it is something that I enjoyed with my children.