The Canadian House Hippo: An Introduction

In the late 1990s, a strange and adorable creature made its way into Canadian homes through a series of television commercials. The creature was the Canadian House Hippo, a tiny hippopotamus that lived in the walls and under the furniture of Canadian homes. The House Hippo was meant to be a reminder to children that not everything they saw on television was real, and that they should always question what they see.

The House Hippo quickly became a beloved icon of Canadian culture, with many people still fondly remembering the commercials today. But where did the House Hippo come from, and why did it capture the hearts of Canadians so quickly?

The Origins of the Ad Campaign

The House Hippo was created by the advertising agency, John St., for the Concerned Children’s Advertisers (CCA), a non-profit organization that aims to promote responsible advertising to children. The CCA wanted to create a campaign that would encourage children to be more critical of the advertising they saw on television and to understand that not everything they saw was real.

The House Hippo commercials first aired in 1999 and were an instant hit. The commercials featured footage of real hippos, which were then edited to make them appear tiny enough to fit in a Canadian home. The House Hippo was shown doing everyday things, like eating cereal and playing with toys, and the narrator explained that the House Hippo was not real, but rather a reminder to children to be skeptical of what they see on television.

The Impact of the House Hippo on Canadian Culture

The House Hippo quickly became a beloved icon of Canadian culture, with many people still fondly remembering the commercials today. The House Hippo was cute, funny, and relatable, and it resonated with Canadians of all ages. The House Hippo was also successful in achieving its goal of promoting critical thinking among children. The CCA reported that after the House Hippo commercials aired, there was a significant increase in the number of children who questioned the advertisements they saw on television.

The House Hippo also had a significant impact on the advertising industry. The commercials were praised for their creativity and effectiveness, and they won numerous awards, including a Gold Lion at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The House Hippo set a new standard for responsible advertising to children and inspired other organizations to create similar campaigns.

The Science Behind the House Hippo

The House Hippo may not have been real, but the science behind the commercials was very real. The House Hippo commercials were created using a technique called forced perspective, which is a visual illusion that makes objects appear larger or smaller than they actually are. The technique was used in classic films like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," and it was also used in the House Hippo commercials.

To create the House Hippo, the advertising team filmed real hippos and then used forced perspective to make them appear tiny enough to fit in a Canadian home. The team also used animatronics and puppetry to create the close-up shots of the House Hippo. The result was a convincing and adorable creature that captured the hearts of Canadians.

The Legacy of the House Hippo

The House Hippo may have only appeared in a few commercials, but its impact on Canadian culture and the advertising industry is still felt today. The House Hippo set a new standard for responsible advertising to children, and it inspired other organizations to create similar campaigns.

The House Hippo also became a beloved icon of Canadian culture, with many people still fondly remembering the commercials today. The House Hippo has been referenced in popular culture, and it has even inspired fan art and merchandise. The House Hippo is a reminder of a simpler time in Canadian culture and a symbol of the power of creativity and responsible advertising.

The House Hippo Today: A Nostalgic Reminder

Today, the House Hippo may not be as prominent as it once was, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians. The House Hippo is a nostalgic reminder of a simpler time in Canadian culture and a symbol of the power of creativity and responsible advertising.

The House Hippo also serves as a reminder to question what we see and to be critical of the media we consume. In a world where fake news and misinformation are rampant, the House Hippo’s message is more important than ever. The House Hippo may have been a fictional creature, but its impact on Canadian culture and the advertising industry is very real.