Pink Panther (character) - Popular Culture

Popular Culture

The Pink Panther remains popular some 45+ years since his first appearance. In addition to the regular airing of the classic cartoon, the panther also appears in the following:

• The Pink Panther Show intro theme was used by Nike in a viral campaign of Pink Mercurial Vapor IV football boots using the French football star Franck Ribery mimicking the character of the Pink Panther.
• The Pink Panther is a segment guest in the episode "Karate is K" of Sesame Street.
• American television personality Regis Philbin can be seen in a commercial for Sweet'N Low talking to a taxi cab driver. After the camera changes the view, the audience realize that the driver is The Pink Panther.
• Owens Corning features him on their website and in advertising for their pink-colored residential building insulation.
• The German phone company Deutsche Telekom uses Pink Panther as an advertising mascot since 1995 in Germany.
• Japanese Pop/R&B singer Namie Amuro, who is a fan of the cartoon, uses him as the theme of her album cover art for her album Queen of Hip-Pop. A special character the "Namie Panther" based on Amuro herself was also created as a counterpart to the Pink Panther. Both characters were heavily featured in her music video for her promotional single "WoWa." Because of the Pink Panther deal, all of the material released for the album had been pink. First pressing packaging of the album included Pink Panther stickers and a Pink Panther styled newspaper containing lyrics for the album.
• In Spain, a Pantera Rosa cake is sold. It is coated in pink.
• In the Family Guy episode "Halloween on Spooner Street", after Brian is spray painted pink, the Pink Panther walks up and asks Brian if this is his first day pink. Upon Brian's reply, the Pink Panther says, "Welcome to Hell."