Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)

Episode 124: Talking Food Mascots with Kirk + Kurtts (Classic)

From Two Designers Walk Into a Bar by Evergreen Podcasts

January 7, 2026 · 32 min · Season 12 · Episode 124

About this episode

The episode revisits a discussion about iconic food mascots and their cultural impact.

We’re revisiting one of our classic episodes. What do Betty Crocker, Charlie Tuna, Tony the Tiger and the oddball characters from Off Limits Cereal have in common? Along with fellow creatives Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts of the “Kirk and Kurtts” design podcast, they were all our drinking buddies one evening! We chewed the fat with Kirk and Andy about some classic characters and their impact on pop culture (and snacking), and why these same techniques invented decades ago still work today. Order a Bedrock Fizz for yourself (and maybe a few for all of us). It’s time to join four designers back in the bar. - - - - - ⁠Watch the full conversation⁠ on our YouTube channel and ⁠visit our full episode page⁠ for show notes, the visual examples we discuss, additional links and more! - - - - - Mentioned in this episode: ⁠Betty Crocker⁠ ⁠Charlie the Tuna⁠ ⁠Tony the Tiger⁠ ⁠Off Limits Cereal⁠ ⁠Aura Bora Water⁠ - - - - - Have a question or idea for Todd and Elliot? Send a note to hello@twodesignerswalkintoabar.com and we promise to read it. After that it’s anyone’s guess. - - - - - Visit ⁠our merch page⁠ to have a look at stuff we’ve made for listeners just like you and support us on ⁠Patreon⁠…

People in this episode

Guests: Kirk Visola, Andy Kurtts

Topics covered

  • food mascots
  • pop culture
  • design
  • branding
  • snacking

Keywords

  • food mascots
  • Betty Crocker
  • Tony the Tiger
  • branding
  • pop culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Betty Crocker, Charlie the Tuna, Tony the Tiger, Off Limits Cereal, Aura Bora Water

More episodes of Two Designers Walk Into a Bar

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Two Designers Walk Into a Bar podcast page.