Taco Bell chihuahua

Gidget Chipperton
Born	Gidget Chipperton February 7, 1994(1994-02-07)
Died	July 21, 2009 (aged 15)
Cause of death	Stroke
Occupation	Former Taco Bell "spokes-dog"
Years active	1997—2001

Gidget "The Taco Bell chihuahua" Chipperton (February 7, 1994 - July 21, 2009) was a popular advertising figure and mascot, voiced by Carlos Alazraqui, and developed by TBWA and used by Taco Bell, a division of Louisville, Kentucky (USA)-based Yum! Brands. The Chihuahua is a breed commonly associated with Mexico, as are the tacos the restaurant serves. At least 2 dogs were used as models. The original dog cast for the lead role was named Dinky, but was replaced shortly thereafter by a dog named Gidget. Taco was another Chihuahua and was a stand-in for Gidget.

History

In September 1997, Taco Bell used the dog in one advertisement in the Northeastern United States. The positive response to the dog led to the company using it in advertisements across the United States.

The dog (sometimes depicted as a Mexican revolutionary wearing a beret or as a bandido wearing a sombrero) was made to speak through special effects. Her advertising catchphrase was "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" ("I want Taco Bell!"). The voiceover work for these commercials was provided by voice actor Carlos Alazraqui, the voice of the Chihuahua and Perry Herman, the national announcer.

The figure grew popular, so much so that toy figures of the dog were produced, and "Yo quiero (X)" became a recognized piece of popular culture. The dog also started 2 other catchphrases: "Drop the chalupa!" (which briefly became an oft-quoted phrase on SportsCenter) and "Viva Gorditas!," meaning "Long live Gorditas!" In a noted crossover with the 1998 Godzilla film, the dog famously tried to trap the monster in a box, goading the beast with the phrase, "Here, lizard lizard lizard!", only to see Godzilla's size and respond, "Uh-oh. I think I'm going to need a bigger box" (a reference to Jaws)^[1].

In July 2001, Taco Bell ended the chihuahua advertisements,^[2] ended its relationship with their creator TBWA, and replaced the company's president, after same-store sales fell by 6% in the second quarter of 2000, the largest such decline in Taco Bell history.^[3] It was incorrectly rumored that Taco Bell ended the commercials because the dog died.^[4] Some Latin Americans accused the dog of being a cultural stereotype,^[5] and Tom Kenny, who is a friend of Carlos Alazraqui (who was the voice of the Taco Bell chihuahua), said that Hispanic advocacy groups lobbying for the end of the campaign led to the cancellation of the Taco Bell dog.^[6] Other reports say the use of the dog was discontinued because it failed to increase Taco Bell's revenue stream in spite of the dog's popularity.^[7]

In 2003, Taco Bell lost a lawsuit by two Michigan men, who had pitched the concept of the Chihuahua to Taco Bell 6 years earlier. The company turned them down, but went forward with the campaign with TBWA. The men sued and in 2003, a jury awarded them $30.1 million in compensation^[8] plus nearly $12 million in additional interest three months later.^[9] Taco Bell in turn sued TBWA saying it should have been aware of the conflicts. In 2009, a three-judge federal appeals panel ruled against Taco Bell.^[10][11][12]

Death

Gidget was euthanized on July 21, 2009 after suffering a stroke in the home of her trainer Sue Chipperton.^[13] She was cremated and her ashes were retained by her trainer.

See also

• Fast food advertising
• Frito Bandito

References

1. ^ "Advertising Mascots - Animals". TV Acres. http://www.tvacres.com/adanimals_tacobell.htm. Retrieved July 15, 2011. 
2. ^ "Taco Bell replaces top executive and Chihuahua, too". CNN. 2000-07-19. Archived from the original on June 21, 2006. http://web.archive.org/web/20060621074857/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/FOOD/news/07/19/taco.bell.ap/. Retrieved 2006-10-04. 
3. ^ Hernandez, Greg; Johnson, Greg. "Taco Bell Replaces Chief, Chihuahua as Sales Fall". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jul/19/business/fi-55188. Retrieved July 11, 2011. 
4. ^ "For Whom the Taco Bell Tolls". Snopes. 2009. http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/tacobell.asp. Retrieved 2009-07-22. 
5. ^ Stevenson, Mark. Mexico slams Burger King for 'whopper' of insult. Associated Press. 13 April 2009.
6. ^ Lawson, Tim and Alisa Persons. The Magic Behind the Voices: A Who's Who of Cartoon Voice Actors. "192."
7. ^ http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/tacobell.asp
8. ^ "Michigan Creators Awarded $30.1 Million in Lawsuit over Ownership of Taco Bell's Chihuahua.". thefreelibrary.com. 2003-06-04. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Michigan+Creators+Awarded+$30.1+Million+in+Lawsuit+over+Ownership+of...-a0102768736. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
9. ^ Williams, Carol J. (2009-01-24). "Taco Bell loses $42 million Chihuahua ruling". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008665346_tacobell24.html. Retrieved 2009-03-15. 
10. ^ Taco Bell Loses Chihuahua Case--Again Amlaw Daily - January 26, 2009
11. ^ "Interview With Settlement Winner Tom Rinks". American Morning (CNN). 2003-06-05. http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0306/05/ltm.05.html. Retrieved 2006-10-04. 
12. ^ "Douglas A. Dozeman - Grand Rapids". Lawyer of the Year 2003. Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 1, 2004. http://web.archive.org/web/20040701173110/http://www.michlaw.com/loty2003/Dozeman.cfm. Retrieved 2006-10-04. 
13. ^ "KXNet News". http://www.kxmd.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=409800. Retrieved 2009-07-23. 

http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/tacobell.asp