Why did Burger King's king mascot become popular?

[Hawkee]

Since the commercials began airing in the 2000's I have never figured out why Burger King's king mascot had become such a pop culture icon? Is it because Burger King wanted to update it's image to fit in with the cool crowd? Or was it to attract younger audiences? I would see these commercials and I cannot believe that the Burger King is now ruined and looks really scary and I remember when the Burger King commercials of the 90's were interesting and had pop music to sell each burger or breakfast item and it seems now that this new Burger King has become a celebrity by appearing in Burger King merchandise to NFL kids meal toys and now that they have retired the king mascot do you think Burger King will continue to attract younger audiences in their commercials as time goes by?
Bestie

[RetroGuy2000]

I wouldn't call the current Burger King mascot "popular". When I type "Burger King mascot" into Google, the top result is "creepy". CBR.com calls it "Fast Food's Creepiest Mascot". According to them, even BK's Chief Financial Officer called the character "creepy".

I remember the real Burger King from the late 1970s/early 1980s. He did magic tricks and defeated the Duke of Doubt with delicious BK food. Now there was a fun mascot kids could flock to!

[smittykins]

And in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, they had an animated King.

I can’t remember where I read it(and I have no idea if it’s true), but I did read a claim that the reason the most recent King is so creepy is so they wouldn’t been seen as marketing to children, and thus avoid accusations that “he made my kids fat!” like McDonalds has faced with Ronald.(And yes, I agree that it’s the parents’ responsibility to not take them there so often.)

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by smittykins

And in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, they had an animated King.

I can’t remember where I read it(and I have no idea if it’s true), but I did read a claim that the reason the most recent King is so creepy is so they wouldn’t been seen as marketing to children, and thus avoid accusations that “he made my kids fat!” like McDonalds has faced with Ronald.(And yes, I agree that it’s the parents’ responsibility to not take them there so often.)

Yeah, both companies' mascots were originally designed for kids, for sure. But I'm not even sure the current "Burger King" was thought out with adults in mind. What adult wants a leering, silent guy in a mask inexplicably waking up in his/her bed? And because this "Burger King" doesn't speak, there is never an answer.

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yeah, both companies' mascots were originally designed for kids, for sure. But I'm not even sure the current "Burger King" was thought out with adults in mind. What adult wants a leering, silent guy in a mask inexplicably waking up in his/her bed? And because this "Burger King" doesn't speak, there is never an answer.

I don't think kids would exactly like this current, creepy big BK mascot either ? !

[Hawkee]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I wouldn't call the current Burger King mascot "popular". When I type "Burger King mascot" into Google, the top result is "creepy". CBR.com calls it "Fast Food's Creepiest Mascot". According to them, even BK's Chief Financial Officer called the character "creepy".

I remember the real Burger King from the late 1970s/early 1980s. He did magic tricks and defeated the Duke of Doubt with delicious BK food. Now there was a fun mascot kids could flock to!

I believe the real Burger King was known as The Marvelous Magical Burger King and the commercials were so cool with him. I wonder if Burger King should try to bring him back to the commercials for a new generation of kids today?
Bestie

[DadTheKing]

I agree with you that the current burger king is creepy. The old one was a lot better
DTK