A Slice of History: It’s the Genuine Tillamook
We’ve used some very creative advertising to promote Tillamook Cheese directly to our consumers. Do you remember the Swiss Knights who came to steal the cheese? Or how about the Vintage Ladies who “don’t doll up for just any ol’ cheddar.” Today, we’re sharing the Loaf Love.
It all started in 1917 when we decided we were ready to nationally advertise our cheese. Instead of marketing to the trades or the stores that would carry our cheese, we wanted to speak directly to our consumers. “A vigorous plan of advertising… would do wonders in increasing the consumption and distribution of Tillamook Cheese,” wrote our new advertising agency. We were ready. We budgeted $5,000 for an advertising plan that included Los Angeles, Portland, and San Francisco. That’s a pittance compared to what advertising costs nowadays! The first newspaper ads appeared in March 1918. Two years and lots of sales later, we knew we were on the right path and increased the advertising budget to $14,000!
The rest, as they say, is history.
