Julius Pringles gets a makeover to celebrate brands’ 30th birthday in the UK
The 54-year-old moustachioed mascot now sports a modern emoji-style look, and while he has lost his hair, brand manager Florence Kayll believes he looks as handsome as ever.
The original Mr P was designed by New Yorker Arch Drummond in 1967, becoming a global icon synonymous with fun times, and even once guest-starring in an episode of The Simpsons.
The birth of Pringles
Mr P has had six new looks to keep in tune with the times since the popular potato chip brand was launched in 1968. Developed by Procter & Gamble and marketed as ‘Pringle’s Newfangled Potato Chips’, the brand was sold to current owner Kellogg in 2012 for $2.695bn.
Tasked to develop potato chips that would address consumer complaints about broken, greasy, and stale chips, as well as air in the bags, P&G chemist Fredric J Bauer and research Alexander Liepa spent two years developing the now-iconic saddle-shaped chips from fried dough, packed in a tubular can. The Pringles shape is mathematically known as a hyperbolic paraboloid. Gene Wolfe, a mechanical engineer and author of fantasy novels, helped develop the machine that cooks the chips.
Pringles was introduced to the British public in 1991, with popularity still as strong as ever. In fact, IRI data shows an average of five cans of Pringles fly off shelves each second in the UK.
To feature Mr P’s ‘best side’, the iconic Pringle cans, too, have been given a refresh. The packaging – in new bright and bold colours to highlight the range of flavours – is rolling out onto supermarket shelves across the UK later this month.
There have been more than 102 Pringles flavours over the years, including the weird and wonderful such as Pigs in Blankets, Mint Choc and Sweet Cinnamon. The most loved flavour among Brits is Sour Cream and Onion, closely followed by Original, Texas BBQ, Salt & Vinegar and Prawn Cocktail.
Pringles also produces tortilla and multi-grain varieties, made with a base of corn, wheat bran, black beans and barley flour. Rice Pringles were also available in the UK although these have been discontinued.
'Boldest look yet'
“After being Pringles’ loyal mascot for many years, Mr P has had a well-deserved makeover, in what is his boldest look yet,” said Kayll.
“Mr P’s hair may now be gone but he’s looking more youthful than ever with striking new eyebrows and is of course still sporting his famous, stylish moustache as he celebrates his 30th birthday in the UK.
‘’While Mr P and the can design have both undergone a transformation, Brits can be confident that there are no changes to the amazing flavour and crunch found inside every Pringles can.”
