I remember this as a child too! I thought at the age of 2 to 5 that this was way to complex for a kid like me to understand. The ending graphics are what I remember the most. It was a little bit creepy, but I always seem to remember seeing this when it was the cold winter time. Go figure. Thanks for posting!
The railroad depot that was in the logo is STILL in existance! Although it's not used as a depot anymore. And the logo itself, was a manufacture. The skyline of Wausau was the backdrop from another depot, with the depot that I spoke of being the focus. What the hey, it looks good anyway! :D
Holy shit. You just found the commercial that has been stuck inside of my brain for THIRTY-FIVE YEARS. I remember seeing this company's commercials when I was very young and, like you, the end with the graphics and sound just reverberated. I couldn't ever remember who'd done it (for some reason I thought it was Honeywell), but this is exactly what I remember seeing. Thanks so much for posting this. I'm convinced now that I'm NOT dreaming the whole thing up!
It's amazing what a kid will remember: I was also entranced by the end of these commercials. That and the Mutual Of Omaha commercials during Wild Kingdom.
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that at the end of the commercial, they start the "WAUSAU" logo by using the "USA" found in part of the city's name to emphasize that they had a nationwide business.
@Cathalain Yeah- this aired during shows like "60 Minutes" that my parents watched back then- I had no idea of what they were selling, but that logo is just killer. I have a later commercial from around 1982 that uses the same logo and sounds but it's a little more modernized. This company seems to be still around now, but hasn't advertised in a long time. I was glad when I found this on tape, and when I transferred it to DVD I just had the end repeat for a long time!
Sweet!!!!!!!!! This was a fixture of 60 Minutes in the late 70s, and once I saw a YT user had an ad for this from the late 80s, a bit more modernized, but had that same familiar ending and music.
Just found this: the print & TV campaign started in the 50's and was evidently one of the classic campaigns of all time: www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-vintage-ad-my-biggest-regrets-marketing-1950s-wausau-kosinski Can't find any mention of who might have done the animated graphic and the sound. But that artwork goes back to the early 50's. I ordered Bob Gunderson's (Wausau ad director) book on the campaign. If it has anything about the TV ads I'll come back and post it here.
Got the answer: The ending animation and music was done by an art director & TV producer at the J. Walter Thompson ad agency, Max Rembold. The cue was done on a Moog synthesizer. (From "The Wausau Story", Robert Gunderson, p. 64. Their first TV ad ran on "60 Minutes" in September 1969, so the cue was likely made in spring or summer 1969 and then ran for years.
Yeah -- this commercial got me, too, as a kid. I liked the reverb at the end, both on this one, and the one for "Burlington", that had the crossed-lines symbolizing stitching . . .
That was one of the lamer ones from them, but I too lived for the last 5 seconds. I saw so many of these during Sunday football games. I actually used that line on a voice over audition in college. "Come to the source. Employers' Insurance of Wausau." I'd really like to see the one with the spelling bee if anyone remembers that one.
@eyeh8nbc This company is no longer around. They were bought by Liberty Mutual in 1999. And LM slowey fazed them out. But yes thanks for posting this. I remember this as a little kid too. And i would always ask my dad what this was. But could never figure out what he was explaining to me..lol
The ending of this commercial and the rhythm , tempo and graphics of the Burlington Mills commercial are two of the first commercials I can remember. Burlington starred Julie Andrews ( I think) for nylons. Burlington look/burlington flair I think was the hook line.
I'd love to see the one with the spinster who can't pronounce the name: "W-A-U-S-A-U ... Wore-sore!" She's the reason I remember the company name after 30 years.
My hometown... the graphic is a combo of both train stations in Wausau. City skyline from one of them and the building from the other. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203621689129607&set=a.10202490245924234.1073741908.1437495585&type=1&theater
I remember this as a child too! I thought at the age of 2 to 5 that this was way to complex for a kid like me to understand. The ending graphics are what I remember the most. It was a little bit creepy, but I always seem to remember seeing this when it was the cold winter time. Go figure. Thanks for posting!
I too think the end of the ads are advertising genius. Very memorable.
The railroad depot that was in the logo is STILL in existance! Although it's not used as a depot anymore. And the logo itself, was a manufacture. The skyline of Wausau was the backdrop from another depot, with the depot that I spoke of being the focus. What the hey, it looks good anyway! :D
Holy shit. You just found the commercial that has been stuck inside of my brain for THIRTY-FIVE YEARS. I remember seeing this company's commercials when I was very young and, like you, the end with the graphics and sound just reverberated. I couldn't ever remember who'd done it (for some reason I thought it was Honeywell), but this is exactly what I remember seeing.
Thanks so much for posting this. I'm convinced now that I'm NOT dreaming the whole thing up!
I'll never forget that ending. And a lady in one of the commercials who pronounced it "war sore"
...i remember that too
W-A-U-S-A-W, warsore!
It's amazing what a kid will remember: I was also entranced by the end of these commercials. That and the Mutual Of Omaha commercials during Wild Kingdom.
...thanks for uploading this commercial...i remember this from my childhood
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that at the end of the commercial, they start the "WAUSAU" logo by using the "USA" found in part of the city's name to emphasize that they had a nationwide business.
Wausau was a major sponsor of 60 Minutes for years.
@Cathalain Yeah- this aired during shows like "60 Minutes" that my parents watched back then- I had no idea of what they were selling, but that logo is just killer. I have a later commercial from around 1982 that uses the same logo and sounds but it's a little more modernized. This company seems to be still around now, but hasn't advertised in a long time. I was glad when I found this on tape, and when I transferred it to DVD I just had the end repeat for a long time!
Liberty Mutual bought it and dropped the name.
"I was always mesmerized by the graphics and sound at the end of these commercials."
Me too, that's why I'm here now.
Thanks for posting
Sweet!!!!!!!!! This was a fixture of 60 Minutes in the late 70s, and once I saw a YT user had an ad for this from the late 80s, a bit more modernized, but had that same familiar ending and music.
Absolutely. Thank you so much for posting this...it was the end that was so great. (Though this ad is amusing as well...)
Just found this: the print & TV campaign started in the 50's and was evidently one of the classic campaigns of all time: www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-vintage-ad-my-biggest-regrets-marketing-1950s-wausau-kosinski
Can't find any mention of who might have done the animated graphic and the sound. But that artwork goes back to the early 50's. I ordered Bob Gunderson's (Wausau ad director) book on the campaign. If it has anything about the TV ads I'll come back and post it here.
Got the answer: The ending animation and music was done by an art director & TV producer at the J. Walter Thompson ad agency, Max Rembold. The cue was done on a Moog synthesizer. (From "The Wausau Story", Robert Gunderson, p. 64. Their first TV ad ran on "60 Minutes" in September 1969, so the cue was likely made in spring or summer 1969 and then ran for years.
The only thing I can find about Max Rembold online is his obituary: www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=Max-Rembold&pid=15247143
Yeah -- this commercial got me, too, as a kid.
I liked the reverb at the end, both on this one, and the one for "Burlington", that had the crossed-lines symbolizing stitching . . .
That was one of the lamer ones from them, but I too lived for the last 5 seconds. I saw so many of these during Sunday football games. I actually used that line on a voice over audition in college.
"Come to the source. Employers' Insurance of Wausau."
I'd really like to see the one with the spelling bee if anyone remembers that one.
I remember Wausau!
@eyeh8nbc This company is no longer around. They were bought by Liberty Mutual in 1999. And LM slowey fazed them out. But yes thanks for posting this. I remember this as a little kid too. And i would always ask my dad what this was. But could never figure out what he was explaining to me..lol
The ending of this commercial and the rhythm , tempo and graphics of the Burlington Mills commercial are two of the first commercials I can remember.
Burlington starred Julie Andrews ( I think) for nylons. Burlington look/burlington flair I think was the hook line.
Some of those are on the Ed Sullivan with The Rolling Stones DVDs.
Now known as Liberty Mutual, a Boston, MA-based company.
"Liberty, liberty, li-berty, li-berty."
@@lsmftymf "LiMu Emuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!! (and Doug.)"
@DanZero77 It was their sponsor.
I'd love to see the one with the spinster who can't pronounce the name: "W-A-U-S-A-U ... Wore-sore!" She's the reason I remember the company name after 30 years.
i agree.
My hometown... the graphic is a combo of both train stations in Wausau. City skyline from one of them and the building from the other. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203621689129607&set=a.10202490245924234.1073741908.1437495585&type=1&theater
Wausau, Wisconsin...I'd say that has to be the state's most mispronounced city. I've heard many people say "Warsaw"-as in Poland.
........."whatever".....