# Nostalgic Fast Food Infomercials A & W Restaurants Advertised Its Root Beer Mugs with a Retro Ad By Riley von Niessen | Published 2016-08-04 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/root-beer-mug References: [adweek](http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/aws-root-beer-mug-has-many-uses-beyond-holding-root-beer-says-goofy-infomercial-172687) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5PESrjKgOg) A & W Restaurants joined with advertising agency [Cornett](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/look-at-lexington) and InStyle TV to create a [purposely dated infomercial](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oscar-mayer-brings-back) that promotes its [Root Beer](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/float-tote-bundle) mugs. Although the ad was meant to be humorous, it also manages to be incredibly accurate -- containing a heartfelt music track and low-quality definition that makes it look like it was filmed in the 1980s. It also bolsters additional uses for the Root Beer mugs with a hint of satire, with the infomercial's narrator telling viewers that they use it to hold straws on the counter or put their favorite A & W snacks in the Root Beer mugs to enjoy -- offering the brand's cheese curds and corn dog nuggets as examples. The company's bear mascot makes a debut to depicts this, who is shown in its iconic orange sweater and hat while lounging on a couch as it rubs its belly. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/commercials) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Retro Advertising:** Opportunity for businesses to create purposely dated infomercials or ads to evoke nostalgia and capture attention. - **Nostalgia Marketing:** Opportunity for brands to leverage nostalgia to create emotional connections and resonate with consumers. - **Humorous Advertising:** Opportunity for brands to use humor in their ads to entertain and engage audiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Food:** Opportunity for fast food chains to incorporate retro advertising techniques to promote their products and create a sense of nostalgia. - **Beverage:** Opportunity for beverage companies to tap into nostalgia marketing by reviving old branding or using retro advertising strategies. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Opportunity for advertising agencies to help brands develop and execute retro advertising campaigns that resonate with consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nostalgic Long-Form Infomercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mint-mobile-mintfomercial.md) - [Creamy Frozen Root Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-root-beer-with-sweet-cream.md) - [Nostalgic Infomercial Grill Spots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bud-light-x-traeger-grills.md) - [Icy Frozen QSR Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aw-frozen-root-beer.md) - [Legacy Hot Dog Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whistle-dog.md) - [Centenarian QSR Drink Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-root-beer-floats.md) - [Dog-Centric Root Beer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/last-dog-standing.md) - [Old Fashioned Root Beer Floats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mug-root-beer-float.md) - [Retro QSR Meal Revivals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonaldland.md)