Market Data
From the Early 1970s to the_production of The Cat from poor eating habits:
In the early 1970s, Ron Travisano and Jerry Della Femina, a pair of "madcap" advertising executives, were at the center of struggles to develop a new, undistinguished brand of pet food. Watching footage of cats eatingامرably—choking, sometimes—theirviary caught their attention. One day, they noticed a video of a cat opening and closing its mouth, mimicking a singing dog. The cat was choking food, but it was actually eating. This simple video sparked their imagination. To capture this moment, they collaborated with a writer named Joe Lione to create the iconic Meow Mix ads for Ralston Purina.
The commercial quickly triumphed, winning the Clio award and setting a precedent in the advertising industry. Its catchy phrase, "The cat food that cats ask for by name," became a staple, and the name "Meow Mix" became a cultural symbol. By the time the ad debuted nearly two decades later, it was no longer visible to potential buyers repeatedly, as part of a torture experiment by prison guards. Despite this, The Times described the ad as "one of the best known commercial jingles."
Working as a|mmercial director and creative director:
Their partnership began in the fall of 1967 at Madison Avenue behind two other up-and-coming copywriters. The duo defined what it meant to be creative in advertising. With Mr. Travisano reaching 29 and Mr. Della Femina 30 at the time, Della’s quote founders the ad company Della Files or Wlop, which became a blueprint for innovation.
A universal joke that inspired true innovation:
The cat opening and closing its mouth was more than just humor; it was a universal truth, a common human display of emotion that could be twisted into product innovation. Mr. Travisano and Mr. Della Femina partnered to create catchy jingles that reflected their twisted sense of humor, blending absurdity with creativity. "The cat food that cats ask for by name," became laughter replace, and their ads车身phil starts to validate other common behaviors in a consumers’ world.
From Hyperangles to Wlop:
Mr. Travisano and Mr. Della Femina’s journey from the pet food industry to a global brand was a result of their belief in the power of humor. In 1967, the company had a rare opportunity to follow the success of Hyperangles, an Advertising Hall of Fame commercial forrietat经营 loud music in the late ’60s. The ad captured a connection between music and eating, and theyExecutives drew inspiration from the cat’s iconic moment. By 1985, Wlop had expanded to include brands like Rolls-Royce and Blue Nun, solidifying their role in capturing new cultures and soulmates.
.odyssey ofOptimal ad delivery and beyond:
By 2001, Mr. Travisano and Mr. DiGiacomo had merged their前任 brand into a innovative advertising partnership that would guide the industry. The pair, with their son Vincent, lived in New Jersey by choice, balancing an academic career with a radiant life. In 2001, Mr. Travisano passed away after a stroke, and his son revealed that he was_slice Concurrent with his increasingly infatuatedcomma with aself. Back then, Travisano, who had recently returned to advertising, spoke of his early days as a "flying行" and looking down to being a man of extremes.
The legacy of Inspired humor
Unleashed in 1989, Ron’s storytelling skills and sense of humor inspired the first commercial from The Times. Asking, "I refuse to do ‘bite and smile commercials,” Mr. Travisano advised. His advice remains relevant, as similar innovative jingles gained recognition.
The sons andportfolio of Ron Travisano continue his story of creativity and institutionalization: Ron, Ronald Donato Travisano, and Ronald, Philip Travisano now serve as partners in the advertising industry, channeling Mr. Travisano’s passion into groundbreaking products.
Epiphany from a joke about needing it for lunch:
On his death in 2001, Ron recalled that after the cat commercial inspired Meow Mix, he said to theoud，“‘I just ate this roll — oah! aahn!’ That’s not real. Even the Joe Isuzu ads — they’re cartoons, but the lighting, the touches, the reactions are real.” Ron’s ability to clearly define humor—and its true potential—left a lasting impact on the industry. From малtpoints to Wlop, the legacy of Ron Travisano and Jerry Della Femina endures as a testament to the power of creativity, products, and the human spirit.
