

23. Brand Mascots V - The Flo from Progressive Fan Club
16 snips Sep 21, 2025
Explore the fascinating world of female brand mascots through time! The hosts dive into Aunt Jemima's controversial history and rebranding journey. They dissect Betty Crocker's evolution into a corporate homemaker icon. A deep dive into Flo from Progressive reveals her unique, self-aware persona and how she reshaped mascot culture. The discussion also touches on the harassment faced by Lily from AT&T, sparking a broader conversation about objectification in advertising. A vibrant mix of nostalgia and critique awaits!
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Two Eras Of Female Mascots
- Aubrey frames female mascots into two eras: old-school domestic/trust figures and new-school quirky, self-aware spokeswomen.
- This split reveals how brands shifted women from service/authority roles to eccentric, branded personalities.
Aunt Jemima Rooted In Harmful Stereotype
- The Aunt Jemima mascot drew directly on the mammy stereotype rooted in slavery, which limited Black women's roles and reinforced harmful myths.
- Aubrey emphasizes that this mascot was not neutral branding but a product of racial caricature and oppression.
Nancy Green’s Life As Aunt Jemima
- Aubrey recounts Nancy Green's life as the first real woman to portray Aunt Jemima after debuting at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.
- Green worked decades as a demonstrator, then returned to domestic work and died with her grave unmarked until 2015.