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As a kid who lived mere minutes from the town Wendy’s, I should’ve been thinking about things like, “What percentage of this chicken sandwich is actually chicken?” Instead, I always wondered what Wendy — the daughter of Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas and face of the burger chain — looked like in real life. Did she still look like that damn Pippi Longstocking? Is her hair really blood red? Also, why did some dude name his fast food joint after his daughter if he was going to be the only one starring in its commercials?

I don’t think I’m alone in my curiosity. Every day, millions of Americans frequent restaurant chains and grocery stores and wonder about the stories behind the food mascots that represent their favorite meals, munchies and desserts. It’s time America got some answers.

According to the Quaker Oats Company, the “Quaker Man” is not William Penn or Benjamin Franklin, but is known internally as “Larry” and is not based on a real person.

The name behind this famous breakfast brand is based on the song “Old Aunt Jemima,” written in 1875 by Billy Kersands. The Aunt Jemima character became a recognizable part of minstrel shows in the late 1800s and was later chosen to represent the products we know today.

Modeled after a Chicago restaurant manager named Frank Brown, Uncle Ben was used by Gordon L. Harwell, a former supplier to U.S. forces during WWII, in an effort to use a food brand mascot to create awareness for his product among the general public.

The name behind the Gerber baby is actually Ann Turner Cook, a retired teacher and mystery writer, whose portrait was depicted in a sketch drawn by a neighbor and entered into the Gerber logo contest in 1928.

Well-known food mascot Colonel Sanders is a close depiction of Harland Sanders, who began serving Kentucky Fried Chicken – now known simply as “KFC” – in 1930. Sanders remained the face of the brand even after selling the company to a group of investors, wearing his trademark white suit and string tie for the last 20 years of his life.

In 1938, a portly six-year-old, Glendale, California resident named Richard Woodruff walked into a diner owned by Bob Wian as Mr. Wian was in the process of naming his new hamburger. Upon seeing Richard, Bob greeted him with, “Hello, big boy.” The name stuck and soon the Big Boy character was born with help from Warner Bros. design artist Ben Washam.

Most people who have ever visited a Wendy’s restaurant know the burger chain was named after the daughter of founder Dave Thomas. Some even believe Wendy was Dave’s only child. What most don’t know, however, is that “Wendy” is actually a childhood nickname given to Melinda Lou Thomas (Morse) by her four siblings.

As you may have heard, we here at Melamed Riley are putting on a little show this February called Grad School. Nearly a dozen industry pros will fill soon-to-be college graduates in on everything they didn’t learn in class. You know, the kinds of things an industry newbie will need to break into the business.

As someone that’s only been out of school for a handful of years, I know how important good advice can be, whether or not it pertains to the workplace. And while you’ll have to wait a few months to learn the tricks to finding a job in advertising, design or public relations, I’m more than ready to share a few dos and don’ts for getting by in the “real” world – even after your unreal college experience.

1. Don’t have a rager on the first night

Jeff (Nick Swardson) explains living with “roommates” to Alex (Alan Covert) in the 2006 comedy, Grandma’s Boy.

Unlike the college town you’re about to leave, there’s a pretty good chance those in your new neighborhood won’t enjoy hearing selections from Tha Carter IV blaring at four in the morning. Don’t make a bad impression with your neighbors or make your pare … I mean, “roommates” want to kick you out right away. Take your time getting to know the local police and keep your DJ skills on the DL the first few weeks.

2. Don’t bring cheap beer to the party

Beer 30 Light (Yes, it’s a real beer).

I know, I know. You’ve got it out of your system. Once you leave college your days of partying hard are over, right? Wrong. Trust me. Playing the role of Joe Taxpayer gets kind of boring after awhile. And by awhile I mean three-to-five days. Once your first week at the “real” job wraps up, you’ll be more than happy to toss a few back. So here’s the thing: don’t bring a 30-pack to the bash at Ben’s girlfriend’s place (tailgates excluded). Nothing good comes in a 30-pack. At least that’s what the snob who brought an expensive six-pack of India Pale Ale will say. And believe me, there are a lot of snobs out there.

3. You have six months to start paying back your student loans. Do enjoy them.

The pony you’ve always wanted.

A car, a vacation or even that pretty pony you’ve been after since your sixth birthday – they’re just a few examples of the amazing things you’re free to spend your money on before you have to begin blowing it all paying back your student loans. I mean, back in the dorm when Dave “loaned” you his Old School DVD, he basically gave it to you. For you to have made an effort to return it to him would have been one colossal act of kindness. And now, just a few months after making your mom proud, you have to start sending stacks to the government every month until you’re as old as Paul Rudd is supposed to be in his new movie. It’s bad news, kids. Throw down on some night vision goggles while you still can.

4. Don’t binge on the fast and frozen

Pictured: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

College is a delightful time. A time when a freezer full of Hot Pockets and tri-weekly Taco Bell visits will result in nothing but a few orange-colored stains on your favorite hoodie. Then, seemingly as soon as your graduation cap hits the floor, your magical metabolism disappears. Nutritionists have yet to explain the reason why, but have offered a solution: control yourself. Take me for example. Since earning my degree, I’ve cut my frozen burrito consumption in half – to just four a day. And when I visit the drive-thru window, I limit my order total to $25 before asking everyone else in the car what they’d like. The result? My calorie consumption is under five figures for the first time since middle school. If I can do it, you can do it.

5. Do skip class, don’t skip work

Ders (Anders Holm), Blake (Blake Anderson) and Adam (Adam DeVine) of Comedy Central’s Workaholics.

You’re sick. You’re reallllly tired. Your roommate’s pet fish Ralphie passed on and you had to be there for her while she flushed him on to the afterlife – these are all perfectly acceptable reasons for skipping out on your geology lab. Now I’m not advocating that you skip your classes. I’m just saying that if there’s a Workaholics marathon starting at 2:30 and your class begins at 2:45, it’s understandable for you to choose to spend your time with Blake, Adam and Ders. Just a warning, though: the same won’t fly at your 9-5. Right now, you pay to go to school. Soon, your boss will pay you to come to work. That mean he or she calls the shots. It also means you can’t skip your afternoon meeting to play Halo. So when it comes to work, be there or be square AND unemployed.

1990 Nissan Maxima

Let me start by saying I love cars. Always have. As a child, some of my favorite activities included playing with toy cars all over the basement floor, sitting on the front porch and watching the cars drive by, admiring my next door neighbor’s 1990 Nissan Maxima and, to the amusement of whomever was driving, naming the make and model of 99.9% of the cars I saw on the road. So, as a result, I always paid close attention to automotive advertising. Whether it was an ad for a minivan or a commercial for a sports coupe, pieces crafted to sell sheet metal are what got me interested in advertising in the first place.

One thing I eventually noticed was that automotive marketing typically focused most of its attention on the features of the vehicle being promoted — comfort, space, safety, performance, fuel economy — rather than on the driver or, better yet, on the people that would be using it every day. It’s why I’m a big fan of the following executions. Not only do they focus on people first, but they also make an effort to relate to the consumer on a personal level by showcasing the love they have for their cars. It just goes to show that no matter how advanced features and technology have become or how competitive a segment may be, at the end of the day, it’s all about us.

Throughout its existence, Facebook has continuously enabled its members to share more and more content with one another. So it should come as no surprise that many of Facebook’s more than 1 billion users struggle to create posts most of us would judge as relevant. Here are a few common examples of bad Facebook posts:

The struggle to maintain social media relevancy can also extend to brands. Consistently offering content in which your Facebook followers find value isn’t easy. Here are just a few of the rules brands with their own Facebook pages would be wise to follow:

• Resist the urge to share random photos that have little or no connection to your brand, especially ones that call for followers to “Like” the image if they agree with a statement, are excited about something, etc.
• One exclamation point is always enough! Ending a sentence with three or four doesn’t make your post any more visible, just less professional.
• Brands are not news outlets. Introduce one, maybe two new posts a day and focus the rest of your attention on addressing feedback or concerns.
• Posts should always be written using a particular brand voice. You want followers to get to know your brand, not you, the writer behind the scenes.
• Believe it or not, most of your Facebook followers don’t care about your brand nearly as much as you do. Keep your fans informed, not overwhelmed.

Are there any rules that govern the content you share on Facebook? Did I miss your least favorite type of post? Let me know in the comments section below.

Didn’t fill your pockets at Cleveland’s brand new casino? No worries. You can still stuff your face. The opening of Horseshoe^® Casino Cleveland inside of the old Higbee Building has led several new eateries to set up shop within walking distance of Public Square. From cupcakes to cleavage, you’re sure to hit the jackpot no matter what you choose.

Cleveland Pickle
850 Euclid Avenue

This isn’t your average sub shop. Cleveland Pickle uses a variety of unexpected ingredients to create unique, Cleveland-themed sandwiches. My personal favorite, the “Cardiac Kid,” features banana, peanut butter, honey, pancetta, Nutella^® and pickle chips. If only Elvis were still alive to experience it.

Hodge’s
668 Euclid Avenue

Sure to please gamblers as well as Cleveland’s growing foodie population, Hodge’s is an attempt at upscale cuisine by well-known Cleveland food truck operator Chris Hodgsen (Hodge Podge and Dim and Dem Sum) and partner, Scott Kuhn.

Potbelly
515 Euclid Avenue

Established on Chicago’s Lincoln Avenue in 1996, Potbelly has plunked down one of its 240 locations right here in Cleveland, where a warm sandwich can be accompanied by a chocolate malt. Try getting that at Subway^®.

Colossal Cupcakes
530 Euclid Avenue

The name says it all. No really, these things are huge. And the flavors are anything but ordinary. Plus, it’s right across from Potbelly. You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?

Noodlecat
234 Euclid Avenue

The brainchild of Cleveland food nerd Jonathan Sawyer, Noodlecat’s pasta offerings are like Maruchan^® on steroids. Combine that with one of the better happy hours ($1 Black Label!) in the area and you’ll wish your cat could cook like this.

Pura Vida
170 Euclid Avenue

The brainchild of Chef Brandt Evans, Pura Vida translates to “Pure Life,” and uses fresh ingredients obtained from a multitude of sources – many of which are exclusive – to craft dishes that live up to the founder’s “live for today” mantra.

Tilted Kilt
21 Prospect Avenue

When you first hear the Tilted Kilt^® tagline, “a cold beer never looked so good^®,” you may wonder how they were able to make the brews they serve appear so much better than the rest. One step inside the restaurant, however, and you’ll quickly see that it’s less about the beer and more about the ladies serving it. Best described as Hooters^® with a Scottish twist, the Tilted Kilt Girls™ no doubt serve up tasty food along with some damn fine looking beer.

Nexus Café & Coffeehouse
627 Prospect Avenue

A welcome attempt at creating a neighborhood coffee shop in downtown Cleveland, Nexus Café & Coffeehouse sees itself as an “active participant in the growth of downtown Cleveland” with proceeds from every sale going back to the city in various ways.

Did I miss anything you think should be included? Let me know in the comments section!

We all know that just about anything can be found on Craigslist, including a whole heap of crazy. From used cars to used cats, missed connections and anonymous rants, there’s no shortage of wild listed in the world’s most popular classifieds. In fact, the site itself features its own “best of” section, with user-nominated posts dating back to 2001. So I took it upon myself to sift through the thousands of listings that made the cut to bring you my personal top 10. And since this is Craigslist we’re talking about, I’ve included an extra five (as a bonus, of course) to bring you the absolute “best of the best.” Enjoy.

Free Mug to Fred

Note to Whole Foods Customers

Gene Simmons VW Beetle

Manhood Camping

Free Birthday Hat for a Dog

Attention: Hipster Girls of Austin

Taxidermied Hamsters for Sale

I Will Get Drunk at Your Wedding

Stop Waiting for Grandma to Die — ’87 Oldsmobile for Sale!

Hey, it’s me! Every Girl Ever!

Ferocious Attack Kitten for Adoption

Wanted: Drunk Clown

A Note for a Judgmental Hipster Girl

OMG! A 1995 Pontiac Grand Am GT!

Help! My Mom Needs a Hobby!

Tonight is the night. The Melamed Riley team is hosting the first-ever Ultimate Ping Pong Challenge — an agency vs. agency table tennis competition with our friends (or foes?) at Recess Creative. To say we’re excited would be a colossal understatement. And despite wanting to destroy our competition, we feel obligated to entertain them as well. You know, to try and lift their spirits as they deal with the agony of defeat. So to help ensure we impress the visiting team, we turned to our Vitamix® machine to create three winning salsas and some tasty margaritas:

Pineapple Salsa | California Salsa | Tropical Avocado Salsa | Whole Fruit Margarita

For up-and-coming comedians and small-role television actors, commercials are like night jobs — they help pay the bills, but you don’t necessarily want everyone knowing about them. Unfortunately for the funny men and women who star in spots selling everything from cars to credit cards, working in TV isn’t exactly “behind-the-scenes.” But given the right script, shilling for corporate America can actually enhance a lesser-known’s career. If nothing else, there’s always DVR technology, which might prevent a certain side job from ever seeing the light of day in the first place. Below I’ve listed some of the better known commercial actors along with what I believe is their best work. Think of it as an opportunity to put some names next to a few faces you’re sure to recognize.

As you’re well aware, the internet is full of “Top 10” lists. Not one to be left out of the fray, I decided to add my own to the mix. The subject would be what I consider the “Top 10 Most Underrated Taglines,” and there would be some ground rules:

1. I had to list the first ten lines that came to mind, whether or not they are still in use — no exceptions. If it’s not top of mind, it’s not in my Top 10.
2. To avoid recycling old opinions, I would not be allowed to reference any other Top 10 lists having to do with advertising, including taglines.
3. I would disregard the opinions of others. If someone else in the office thinks a tagline is underappreciated, it’s probably not underappreciated.

Anyway, here’s what I came up with (in no particular order):

Brand: Target®
Tagline: Expect More. Pay Less.

One thing you’ll notice throughout this list is that I’m a big fan of taglines that quickly spell out why you the consumer should choose one brand over another. “Expect More. Pay Less.” separates Target from big box competitors like Walmart® by reminding shoppers that it’s about more than getting the lowest price, it’s about feeling like you’ve gotten more than you paid for.

Brand: T.G.I. Friday’s®
Tagline: In Here, It’s Always Friday.

Perhaps more than any other restaurant chain, T.G.I. Friday’s has overcome its generic menu offerings (Loaded Potato Skins, anyone?) by making it all about the atmosphere with “In Here, It’s Always Friday.”

Brand: Wrangler Jeans Co.®
Tagline: Real. Comfortable. Jeans.

In a world full of high-priced, high-fashion jeans, Wrangler has stuck to the basics and used “Real. Comfortable. Jeans.” to capture the hearts (and thighs) of men with a simpler taste in denim.

Brand: Quiznos®
Tagline: MMMM… TOASTY!

Any time a brand can create a tagline using the thoughts or feelings people experience when using their products — in this case, toasted sandwiches — it’s a winner in my book.

Brand: Lexus®
Tagline: The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.

When Toyota Motor Corporation introduced its luxury automotive brand in 1989, the automaker took aim at German competitors like BMW® and Mercedes-Benz® by vowing to make Lexus the best and never look back. “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection” was the line that drove this commitment, and remains one of the most powerful automotive slogans ever written.

Brand: The National Basketball Association
Tagline: Where Amazing Happens.

“Where Amazing Happens” does nothing to put off the NBA loyalists and more importantly, convinces casual viewers to tune into the action by promising plenty of memorable moments.

Brand: Taco Bell®
Tagline: Think Outside the Bun.

Just when it seemed like the only fast food menu option was a slab of low-grade quality beef between two pieces of bread, Taco Bell came along and offered low-grade quality ground beef inside of a crunchy shell, and all was right with the world. Jokes aside, perhaps no quick-service chain understands its audience better than the Yum! Brands subsidiary.

Brand: Honda Motor Company
Tagline: The Power of Dreams.

As the manufacturer of everything from autos to lawnmowers — even a jet airplane — Honda Motor Company has positioned itself as a technology leader, and “The Power of Dreams” speaks to a strong dedication to pioneering the latest innovations.

Brand: Acura®
Tagline: Precision Crafted Performance.

As the world’s first Japanese luxury automotive nameplate, Honda Motor Company’s Acura brand used “Precision Crafted Performance” to introduce drivers to something the competition – namely BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi® — had seemingly never heard of – an affordable, reliable ownership experience.

Brand: Dunder Mifflin, Inc. (Watch the commercial here)
Tagline: Limitless Paper in a Paperless World.

If you’re a fan of NBC’s “The Office,” this one kind of goes without saying.

Let’s get one thing straight — I’m getting old (I turn 25 in August) — and if we really only get one go-round on this lovely planet of ours, I’m running out of time. With that in mind, I decided to come up with a bucket list of sorts. First on the agenda: Opening Day. As a lifelong Tribe fan, it was only natural I spend what I consider a national holiday with the Cleveland Indians. Here are a few pictures from the before, during and after:

Major League-themed jerseys and beer cans — there were plenty of both to be seen during what I like to call “Opening Morning” in downtown Cleveland.

In an effort no bartender could compete with, a specially-trained Dalmatian passed out bottles of the best Belgian brew I’ve ever tasted.

A worthy cause, this man successfully conjured several Opening Day fans to open their wallets.

The view from my seat at Progressive Field, blurred in an attempt to convey my state throughout most of the 16 inning showdown.

Special thanks to Aria Mirabile for providing visual documentation of Opening Day 2012.