McDonald’s probably didn’t start the marketing strategy of using toys as a way of branding their product, but they certainly are good at it.

One year my DH endured Happy Meals every week until he had this huge collection of 101 Dalmatians. We filled our grandson’s stocking from us with them for Christmas.

Fast Food places certainly aren’t the only ones who take advantage of the public’s interest in toys to further their product image.

Maybe you like the Snuggles teddy bear that Lever Bros. uses to advertise its fabric softener?

Or maybe the Hershey’s bears or Kisses?

How about the Chick-fil-A cows, the Ever Ready Bunny, or the Serta sheep?

You name it, and some company has found a way to enhance their marketing with stuffed animals and plastic toys.

Do you have a favorite advertising toy, or do you collect them for someone special in your life? Are there any that you just can’t stand?