Who Gave the Thumbs Up for Posthumous Bob Ross to Sling Soda to The Masses?

Cool ass merch above belongs to Homegrown Coffee in South Philly @homegrown215

More good coffee. Less Mountain Dew. Cheers.

Did Bob Ross drink Mountain Dew?

Highly doubt it. I’m not even sure Mountain Dew was around back then and I’m not doing the 5 seconds of research it’ll take to find out.

It’s not important.

This is what’s important.

Does the legacy of this zen-like art teacher fit alongside soda?

No.

Bob and Tea go better together. In fact, I’d wager that he wouldn’t exactly LOVE the idea of his expertly-altered self pushing sugary soda to the masses. It is indeed a bit manipulative, my friend. If only to the kids and our subconscious selves.

So, why did Mountain Dew and the Ross estate think it a good idea for him to take a cold, frosty Mountain Dew out of his picture-perfect mountain range in the holy name of advertising?

Because money, ya dummy. And posthumous Bob was extra hot at the time.

Creatively, it’s a funny ad that swiftly plays the nostalgic card to an old audience refamiliarizing themselves with an icon of a man, and cashes in on his icebreaker to a new generation of kids and teenagers.

Full episode with Bob actually painting the mountains below.

Resurgence in relevance & Popularity

In recent years, the younger generation has been introduced to his happy accidents thanks to an online resurgence of memes and clips dedicated to his memory. Sure, he’s had a wonderful renaissance… one he certainly deserves. It’s a great thing that his kindness is able to live infinitely online. Further in the hearts of those who have loved and appreciated his painting and life lessons.

STILL, What I want to know is whose greed is to blame for the whoring of his likeness to pitch a drink that we thought shrunk our balls as kids?

FINE, maybe that’s a tad dramatic…

But that man was assuredly one of principle. He, Mr. Rodgers, and Mister Reading Rainbow. I don’t think any of them would’ve jumped on board to sling soda just to boost their financial portfolio. That’s as wonderful a group of tea-tollers as I’ve ever seen.

Is it the family? Gotta be. How could you blame them? I’m sure it’s a nice payday for doing nothing beside saying ‘Yes’ to Mountain Dew.

I can’t say I wouldn’t have cashed in on the same, but I think taking the idea to a fair trade tea company or something like that would’ve been a more thoughtful move. But I’m not sure which came first—the chicken or the egg? My guess is that Mountain Dew brought the idea to Bob Ross, Inc. Stealing the idea and taking it to a tea company is definitely intellectual property so they might’ve been stuck there. Yes, or it doesn’t happen. Pepsi-Cola owns Mountain Dew — they own Lipton and Pure Leaf. Give it to them.

But the Mountain Dew looks good in Bob’s hand. And the ad’s got Dew Swagger to it.

Yes or it doesn’t happen.

Shit, I woulda pulled the trigger.

Call me a whore for sweet advertising.

I’ll donate the dough.

The Estate

According to The Blast, Bobby Ross Jr. and his Uncle were given full rights over the Bob Ross estate. The Uncle then handed everything over to Junior. By that logic it sounds like that decision is indeed still made by the family.

This is also coming from The Blast, a publication which proudly sports the tagline: “You want it. We got it.”

By “It” I believe they’re referring to clickbait & cocaine but I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the fine folks at The Blast quite yet.

Regardless, the overall picture appears to depict a few too many hands in the kitchen.

Bob Ross, Inc. sells all the Bob Ross merch, including costumes, chia pets (no brainer), coloring books, mugs, and even underwear. But APPARENTLY, Junior hasn’t seen any of that cash. (via The Blast)

It’s very likely this is a push-pull situation between Junior and Bob Ross Inc. Not unlike similar disputes at Wayne Enterprises — Bruce (Junior) VS. Wayne Enterprises (Bob Ross Inc.)

I’m rooting for Bob Ross Pattinson Wayne Jr the IV

Here’s the full ad & some other articles to read.

P.S. Are they still touring Michael Jackson’s hologram?