Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup Ads Through the Ages
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Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup turns 80 this year. It's a safe bet to assume most Americans have been served a bowl full of the soup at least once in their lifetime. While the soup's contents might not have changed, its advertising certainly has. Take a look at some of these hilarious vintage print ads dating back to 1934 . . . and see how long the "M'm! M'm! Good!" slogan has been around.
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1934
That's right, Campbell's originally named the product "Noodle With Chicken Soup." Also just as boggling is the list of now-discontinued flavors, including mock turtle, mulligatawny, mutton, ox tail, and printanier.
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1934
The ad reads, "Haven't you sometimes wondered what a truly skilled soup-chef would produce if he turned his hand to Noodle Soup?" Not sure anyone has pondered such a strange question, but that illustration sure does look gourmet — even in black and white.
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1941
Campbell's owes its "Chicken Noodle Soup" name to a popular radio personality who accidentally misread his copy. However, the slip stuck and Campbell's changed the name on the can.
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1942
Campbell's explains the one hitch, "Naturally, it costs more to make this new, improved soup. And the Government, recognizing this, has authorized a higher price to cover the added cost."
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1946
Just after World War II, Campbell's plays up the Chicken Noodle Soup to be "Truly American."
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1949
This '40s print attempts to sway women to purchase the budget-friendly soup for their hungry husbands: "It's a hearty, he-man soup — the kind of main dish to please both purse and appetites."
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1959
Campbell's then takes the opposite approach and reaches out to the little man, who needs the soup for "good spirits" and "good nutrition."
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1960
Toward the end of the ad, the now famous "M'm! M'm! Good!" slogan appears, perhaps for the very first time.
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1961
Even in the '60s, consumers looked for easy and quick solutions for a hot meal. The ad boasts that the soup can be "all ready in just four minutes."
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1962
Campbell's just got macro. The ad teases, "Dip up a spoonful! See for yourself the real chicken . . . real egg noodles."
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1964
From high chair to table, "Campbell Kids of all ages thrive on wholesome Chicken Noodle Soup."
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1964
After a stressful day at work, forgo the cocktail for hot soup. "What a delicious way to start relaxing!" the ad exclaims.
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1967
While most foods are likely to end up cold and neglected, "You only have to call them once when there's Chicken Noodle Soup for lunch," the ad promises.
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1968
More is better! "Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup has two chicken stocks. One for richness. One for flavor." And to really set that tone in stone, the ad concludes, "Campbell's Chicken Chicken Soups. M'm! M'm! Good! Good!"