There are many varieties of bubble gum. But how many create lasting memories? These days, most don’t even create lasting flavor. Bazooka is one bubble gum I still fondly remember from my childhood. Those little individual pieces wrapped with a Bazooka Joe Comic had an incredibly addictive taste, smell and bubble blowing power. After all these years, Bazooka Joe is still around, and he’s still cool. I contacted Topps to learn more about their long-time spokesman…

Dear Bubble Gummers,

I have to compliment you on your choice of Bazooka Joe as the spokesman for your products. With so many celebrities getting arrested, flashing their privates in public and ending up at rehab centers, it’s nice to know that Joe has stayed out of trouble and the only thing that he’s addicted to is gum.

So, what’s the scoop on Bazooka Joe? It doesn’t look like he’s grown at all over the years. I hope we don’t find out that gum stunts your growth! Does it? I’m also curious why he wears an eye patch. It didn’t have anything to do with blowing a bubble that burst and caused irreversible retinal damage, did it? I know a girl that once got gum stuck in her hair and let’s just say the gum won.

There’s a rumor about gum that’s been around forever and I’d appreciate you confirming or denying it once and for all. If someone accidentally swallows a piece of gum, does it take 7 years to digest? If not, how long will it take to go through the digestive tract? Is it possible to blow a bubble with the other cheeks? I’d love to see that on a cable reality show!

You are Topps,
“Me”

The Topps Company Consumer Relations Department responded with:

Thank you for your interest with our products, specifically Bazooka gum. Please check out www.bazookajoe.com website for more information.

Please find enclosed some complimentary product for your enjoyment.

If you have any additional questions, (contact information followed). Thank you again for your concern and for taking the time to contact us.

Final Thoughts: The response from Topps arrived in a box loaded with lots of goodies. Opening it made me feel like an excited little kid. There were 21 individual candy items, including: 6 Juicy Drop Pops, 8 Push Pops, 1 Triple Power Push Pop and 6 Baby Bottle Pops. Also enclosed were a 4-page “Topps History” and a brochure from the National Association of Chewing Gum Manufacturers that covered the story of gum, fun facts about gum and an overview of how gum is made. As for Bazooka Joe, his popular series of comics were introduced in 1953 to “add extra interest for youngsters through a distinctive comic character who would be identified with the product. Bazooka Joe’s eye patch was added by the Topps Creative Department for extra distinctiveness.”

Topps clearly went above and beyond in this case to make a customer smile. Once again, this proves that some businesses truly are Topps in their field, and you can often get a sense of which ones they are when you Write The Company.