On July 27, 1940, the world was changed forever when it was introduced to a smart aleck, self –confident, trickster in A Wild Hare. The opening lines of it’s two characters —“Be vewy, vewy quiet, I’m hunting wabbits,” and (more importantly) “Eh, what’s up Doc?” — would become catchphrases for generations.

In this age of a great generational divide, Bugs Bunny brings us all together. Whether you’re in the Greatest Generation, Boomers, Gen X or Millennial, your formative years were shaped by this rascally rabbit.

Here are a few great Bugs moments and what they can teach us about Marketing.

To a great extent, my personality was formed 31 years before I was born. Growing up without a father, my male role model and part-time babysitter had gray hair (or was a gray “hare”) and this week marks his 75th Birthday!!!

On July 27, 1940, the world was changed forever when it was introduced to a smart aleck, self –confident, trickster in A Wild Hare. The opening lines of it’s two characters —“Be vewy, vewy quiet, I’m hunting wabbits,” and (more importantly) “Eh, what’s up Doc?” — would become catchphrases for generations.

In this age of a great generational divide, Bugs Bunny brings us all together. Whether you’re in the Greatest Generation, Boomers, Gen X or Millennial, your formative years were shaped by this rascally rabbit.

Here are a few great Bugs Bunny moments and what they can teach us about Marketing.

Rabbit Fire (’51):
This was the first of the famous “Rabbit season, Duck season” trilogy. A series where Bugs and Daffy try to outsmart each other and, ultimately, Elmer Fudd. To get Elmer to shoot the other, they litter the forest with Rabbit Season and Duck Season signs and even dress up like one another … all ending in Daffy’s bill being blown into unnatural positions.

Marketing Lessons: 1) People will believe what you want them to. It’s all about who says it loudest, most often and with the most conviction. 2) Don’t try to pretend you’re something you’re not. You’ll get your bill blown off. 3) Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

 

Bully for Bugs (’53): 
When he misses that darn “Left turn at Albuquerque,” our cotton-tailed friend finds himself not at the Coachella Valley and the big Carrot Festival, therein, but up against a monstrous, menacing beast in a bullfight. While Bugs is less than half his foe’s size, the bull gets his in “The end.”

Marketing Lesson: 1) Never be intimidated by the size of your competitor. 2) Double check your plan as you go so you don’t miss any left turns.

 

Rabbit of Seville (’50) & What’s Opera, Doc? (’57): 
In both of these classics, Bugs tackles well-known operas – and in both cases, does it better. He also exposes at least three generations to music that they may not have otherwise known.

Marketing Lesson: Never be afraid to take on a classic … from a completely different direction.

 

Haredevil Hare (’48):
In 1948, we met Marvin the Martian and his Uranium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator – designed to blow up the Earth. In this episode, Bugs lands on the moon, 21 years before Neil Armstrong, and saves us all from the first weapon on mass destruction. After all, as Bugs says, “All the people I know are on the Earth.”

Marketing Lesson: Always look forward and be ahead of your time.

 

Hare Trigger (’45): 

This is when we were all introduced to “Yosemite Sam, the meanest, toughest, rip-roarin’-est, Edward Everett Horton-est hombre what ever packed a six-shooter!” He was a proud train robber, until Bugs informed him that there is another tough guy in the train packing a “seven-shooter.” Sam goes looking for him and comedy ensues.

Marketing Lesson: Don’t be distracted because someone’s got one more bullet than you. Stay on task and rob the darn train.

 

Bugs and Thugs (’54):
Bugs finds himself rabbit-napped by Rocky and Bugsy, the bank robbers. When Rocky tells Bugs to “Shut up.” Bugs replies with, “Shut up? Why certainly! You don’t think I’m the kind that would keep blabbin’, that some people never know when to stop. When I’m told to shut up, I shut up.“

A frustrated Rocky proclaims, “Shut up, shuttin’ up.”

Marketing Lesson: Never let the competition silence you.

Bugs taught us all that a sharp wit is more useful than a sharp weapon. He showed that colossal confidence can balance out a small size. And, Bugs never started a fight, but proved that when drawn into one, if you keep your cool and use your head, you can overcome anything. Lessons that will take any Marketer far.

You have a favorite Bugs Bunny moment too … I know you do. Share it in the comments section.

If you find it fun and helpful, please share this blog with your colleagues. Also, check out our YouTube Channel for short video blogs about financial marketing.  

In addition to being a strategic consultant, MarketMatch is also a nationally and internationally requested speaker. Contact us to bring our marketing ideas to your institution or next conference.

See our story here. (click)

Or email me directly (click)

937-371-2461

Follow me on Twitter @egagliano