Smokey Bear Billboard – US Route 6

On the way back from Ruggles Beach, I noticed this Smokey Bear billboard on the south side of US Route 6, just a little east of Risden Road. I was happy to see it, because you don't really see a lot of advertising these days for the fire prevention bear. Incidentally, Smokey celebrated his 80th anniversary of being on the job last year.

The 'Smokey Bear Hug' ad campaign shown on the billboard does a nice job of reinforcing the idea that he really exists. Too many campaigns in recent years seem to have thought it was hokey to do that, so instead made him into an abstract concept. I like the idea that he's out there in the woods doing his job, but rarely seen (sorta like Bigfoot).

Here's a TV commercial from the same "Bear Hug" campaign. 

At least Smokey looks like himself again in the commercials. Quite a difference from the terrifying version of Smokey that was unveiled back in 2011.

Unfortunately, Smokey's current official website continues with the ill-fated effort to render him more realistically, with a creepy illustration of him as a rather bulky bruin. 

Has he been raiding pic-a-nic baskets with brother bear Yogi? He looks like he's been shoveling in too many tourist-type goodies. 

Anyway, this (below) is the one, true, Smokey Bear. Happy Belated Anniversary, Smokey!