Ken-L Ration
Encyclopedia
Ken-L Ration is the name of a brand
of dog food
. The brand offered both canned and dry dog food. Ken-L Ration was owned by Quaker Oats, but the brand was sold to H. J. Heinz Co.
in 1995. Since being sold, the brand has faded into obscurity, although vast amounts of Ken-L Ration memorabilia can be found on eBay
. The brand featured a yellow dog named Fido on its labels.
The brand is most notable for a popular advertising
jingle
from the 1960s. The jingle was based on the song "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog" written by Tom Paxton
. The advertisement consisted of two children, one of whom was a young Richard Marx
,http://timeoutchicago.com/music-nightlife/music/78126/marx-the-spot, singing
This jingle is now being used by KIA automobiles. It says:
My van's bigger than your van,
My van's bigger than yours,
My van's better cause it's a KIA,
My van's better than yours.
Until 1968, Ken-L Ration was the sponsor of the pet kennel
at Disneyland, known as Ken-L Land.
Like several other dog food brands, Ken-L Ration issued a yearly award to brave or heroic dogs, entitled the "Ken-L Ration Dog Hero of the Year Award". The last known year this was issued was 1996.
Bridge lyrics
Ken l Ration has lean red beef,
And lot's of other good things,
When my mom goes to the store,
She buys a million cans or more...
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
of dog food
Dog food
Dog food refers to food specifically intended for consumption by dogs. Though technically omnivorous, dogs exhibit a natural carnivorous bias, have sharp, pointy teeth, and have short gastrointestinal tracts better suited for the consumption of meat...
. The brand offered both canned and dry dog food. Ken-L Ration was owned by Quaker Oats, but the brand was sold to H. J. Heinz Co.
H. J. Heinz Company
The H. J. Heinz Company , commonly known as Heinz and famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and its ketchup, is an American food company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Perhaps best known for its ketchup, the H.J...
in 1995. Since being sold, the brand has faded into obscurity, although vast amounts of Ken-L Ration memorabilia can be found on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. The brand featured a yellow dog named Fido on its labels.
The brand is most notable for a popular advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
from the 1960s. The jingle was based on the song "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog" written by Tom Paxton
Tom Paxton
Thomas Richard Paxton is an American folk singer and singer-songwriter who has been writing, performing and recording music for over forty years...
. The advertisement consisted of two children, one of whom was a young Richard Marx
Richard Marx
Richard Noel Marx is an American adult contemporary and pop/rock singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He had a string of hit singles in the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Endless Summer Nights", "Right Here Waiting", "Now and Forever", and "Hazard"...
,http://timeoutchicago.com/music-nightlife/music/78126/marx-the-spot, singing
-
- My dog's faster than your dog,
- My dog's bigger than yours.
- My dog's better 'cause he gets Ken-L Ration,
- My dog's better than yours.
This jingle is now being used by KIA automobiles. It says:
My van's bigger than your van,
My van's bigger than yours,
My van's better cause it's a KIA,
My van's better than yours.
Until 1968, Ken-L Ration was the sponsor of the pet kennel
Kennel
A kennel is the name given to any structure or shelter for dogs. A kennel is a doghouse, run, or other small structure in which a dog is kept...
at Disneyland, known as Ken-L Land.
Like several other dog food brands, Ken-L Ration issued a yearly award to brave or heroic dogs, entitled the "Ken-L Ration Dog Hero of the Year Award". The last known year this was issued was 1996.
Ken-L Ration in Popular Culture
- In the 1996 film Freeway, the film's star, a young Reese WitherspoonReese WitherspoonLaura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon , better known as Reese Witherspoon, is an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991; later that year she made her television acting debut, in the cable movie Wildflower...
, is seen singing along with the jingle while watching TV just before the police come in to arrest her family.
- In the 1993 film Demolition ManDemolition Man (film)Demolition Man is a 1993 American, science fiction action film directed by Marco Brambilla, and starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes. Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, and Denis Leary co-star....
, the jingle for Ken-L Ration is featured along with jingles from Armour and Green Giant as "oldies", popular music in the future society of San Angeles.
Bridge lyrics
Ken l Ration has lean red beef,
And lot's of other good things,
When my mom goes to the store,
She buys a million cans or more...