Banjo – As Alex the Stroh’s Dog

Courtesy of: Wikipedia

Original Link:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_the_Dog

Alex the Dog was the advertising mascot for Stroh’s beer in the 1980s and precursor to Budweiser’s Spuds MacKenzie. Alex’s most famous Stroh’s commercial shows that Stroh’s is the beer to serve when entertaining or relaxing with friends. During a card game, the host sends his dog “Alex” to the kitchen for a Stroh’s. The sound of a dog slurping off-camera is heard. The host humorously says, “Alex, you better be drinking your water.” Slogan: “Great taste. Good times.”

At the peak of his career, Alex, appeared in parades, on Good Morning America and the Today show. He even inspired a series of toys, posters, cologne, shampoo and hand lotion. Hip-hop artist Tone Loc referenced Alex the Dog in his song “Funky Cold Medina”.

The dog who portrayed Alex was Banjo, who was part Golden Retriever and Irish Setter. He was found by a trainer at an animal shelter. Alex served as the Stroh’s dog from around 1984 until 1989 when the creators of the Alex the Dog commercials, Lowe Marschalk (Seth Werner, copywriter; Gary Ennis, art director and Paul T Norwich, account supervisor), lost the contract with Stroh’s. Comedian Brian Regan served as Alex’s campaign manager during Alex’s Presidential campaign. Banjo died of cancer a few years after the advertising campaign ended.