What’s the best name-related television commercial of all time?
That would be the Emmy-nominated “Glen,” which advertised Starbucks DoubleShot cold espresso drinks during the summer of 2004.
Memorably, the commercial featured the band Survivor performing a song about a young man named Glen to the tune of their 1982 mega-hit “Eye of the Tiger” (which was the theme song of Rocky III).
Here’s the 60-second spot:
And here are the lyrics, so you can sing along:
Glen!
Glen, Glen, Glen!
Glen, Glen, Glen!
Glen, Glen, Glen…Glen’s the man, going to work
Got his tie, got ambition
Middle management is right in his grasp
It’s a dream he will never let die!Glen’s the man of the hour
He’s the king of his cube
Status call* reports have finally met their rival
Burnin’ the candle at both ends on his way to the top
He knows one day he just could become…
Supervisor![…]
Roy!
Roy Roy Roy!…
(*Some sources say the word is “quo,” while others say “call.” To me, it sounds a lot more like “call.”)
The popular commercial did help boost the sales of DoubleShot drinks (which had been on the market since 2002), but, sadly, it had no discernible effect on the baby name Glen:
- 2006: 126 baby boys named Glen
- 2005: 127 baby boys named Glen
- 2004: 147 baby boys named Glen
- 2003: 166 baby boys named Glen
- 2002: 182 baby boys named Glen
Sources: Starbucks, Emmy Awards, North American Coffee Partnership
[Latest update: 4/2023]
Yes, like you said, that is Survivor, the band that wrote and performed “Eye Of The Tiger” back in 1982. Although, that is a somewhat different line-up of the band in the commercial. The guitarist and co-founding member, Frankie Sullivan, is still in the band. Long time drummer, Marc Droubay, is still in the band, too. In the commercial you see and hear former vocalist Jimi Jamison. The original lead vocalist of “Eye Of The Tiger” is Dave Bickler.
Other co-founding member, keyboardist/guitarist Jim Peterik had already left the band before this commercial was filmed.
Anyone that likes the Survivor/Starbucks commercial should also search the internet for the Bud Light “Real Men Of Genius” TV and radio commercials featuring original Survivor lead vocalist Dave Bickler.
All these years later, and yet we were still discussing this commercial at the water cooler today at work.
@Kay – It’s a memorable one!
Definitely ‘status quo report’, which is a thing and common across industries…
there is no such thing is as ‘status call report’ — only a ‘call status report’ (words in a different order), which is also too specific (sales)