Humphreys (Unigate)

The British milk company Unigate produced a series of TV advertisements in the 1970s featuring characters called the Humphreys. The Humphreys were milk thieves whose only visible presence was a red-and-white striped straw with which to suck up the milk. TV personalities of the time, including Barbara Windsor, Arthur Mullard, Rod Hull and Spike Milligan, featured in the adverts; but the campaign is best known for the slogan: "Watch out, watch out—there's a Humphrey about!" written and sung by Mike Batt.

A merchandising campaign accompanied the adverts; and the Humphrey-themed mugs, milk bottles, and straws are now collectors' items. The campaign was devised by John Webster of the Boase Massimi Pollitt advertising agency. [1]

Celebrities featuring in the Humphrey ads

Several campaign stickers were produced, including:

  • "Watch Out, Watch Out, There's a Humphrey About", featuring two red-and-white striped straws projecting from a pocket
  • "Watch Out for the Humphrey Patrol", featuring a row of the tops of thirteen red and white striped straws
  • "Drink it Quick, Humphreys are Slick", featuring a red-and-white striped straw projecting from a partially drunk glass of milk.

Three different full sticker sheets can be seen online.[2]

References
  1. "49. Humphreys". campaignlive.co.uk. Campaign. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  2. "Welcome".
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