Character of the Week: Kellogg’s Cornelius Rooster

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Cornelius Rooster

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes was the very first product that Kellogg produced in 1906. For the first 50 years, Corn Flakes cereal was advertised with various characters such as the “Sweetheart of the Corn,” but none of them worked out for more than a short time.

In 1957, Cornelius Rooster became the spokescharacter for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.  Being a rooster, he represents waking up and starting the morning off right.  With his green body, red comb, yellow beak, and multicolored tail, Cornelius looks healthy and ready to start the day. He rarely speaks, but promotes the advantages of a healthy breakfast with his expressions, good attitude and healthy appearance.  Cornelius brings the message to his many print ads and TV commercials that Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal is necessary to start the morning off right.

In early television commercials, Cornelius isn’t able to crow until he eats a bowl of Corn Flakes as the narrator states, “Nothing gets you crowing in the morning like Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.”  In later commercials, a little boy is eating his Corn Flakes for breakfast when all of a sudden Cornelius jumps off the box of cereal and takes the boy on educational adventures.  There is always an obstacle that needs to be overcome, and this is the point where Cornelius whips out his box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and sings to the boy, “Tall up and up and up and up and up with the tall corn taste of Kellogg’s!”  And so the little boy grows very tall and saves the day from whatever is threatening him and Cornelius.

Cornelius Rooster is one of the most recognizable characters in advertising history, and his image has changed very little over the years.  In fact, he was not altered at all until the 1990’s when the Leo Burnett Agency, who originally created Cornelius, gave him an updated look.

For 50 years Cornelius Rooster has been promoting Kellogg’s Corn Flakes and educating kids and parents alike on the importance of a nutritious breakfast.  He is so well known, there has even been merchandise created in his likeness.  Collectible figures, statuettes, toys, and even jewelry are available.  Check out our website for the Cornelius Rooster Vinyl Figure and our great selection of Kellogg’s Character Signs and start your collection today!