By Patrick F. Cannon

If you run into a bear in the wild, especially a Grizzly, your first reaction is bound to be stark terror. And rightfully so, as they have been known to not only attack humans but make a meal of them too. So, it’s more than a little incongruous that little tykes (and sometimes their elders) have long cherished their Teddy Bears, named after a Black Bear that Teddy Roosevelt – who bagged thousands of animals in his hunting trips – spared for reasons too complicated for our limited space.

            Smokey the Bear and goofy Yogi are also a legendary creatures, as are increasingly the blue (and sometimes red) bears that constantly extoll the virtues of Charmin toilet paper in television commercials. Who can resist this family of loveable bears as they face their bathroom visits with confidence and even joy? As the commercials remind us: “Everyone has to go. Why not enjoy the go?”  We may make fun of their escapades, but Charmin is America’s best-selling brand of toilet paper.

            It’s a product of Procter & Gamble, founded in 1837 in Cincinnati – where its headquarters are still located – by William Procter and his brother-in-law James Gamble. Their first products were soap and candles. In the most recent year, their total sales were approximately $85 billion, with a net profit of $16 billion. They have paid a dividend to their shareholders for 135 continuous years. They employ 110,000 people worldwide.

            It’s almost impossible to avoid buying their products. In addition to Charmin, here is a selection of  their brands that are the best-selling in their category: Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Bounty, Febreze, Bounce, Dawn, Cascade, and Head & Shoulders. I still remember the simple slogan they used for Tide: “Tide’s in, dirt’s out.”

            Their products are omnipresent around the world. For example, years ago I arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand and discovered I had forgotten to pack my Head & Shoulders shampoo. I found what we would call a “mom and pop” grocery store down the block from the hotel. I would have been happy with any shampoo they might have had, but there was Head & Shoulders and other American brands prominently displayed.  Kind of like Coke, that universal thirst quencher.

            Are Procter & Gamble products better than those of their competitors? I have no idea. But I do know that they are master marketers. And not only because of their relentless advertising. Back to Charmin. Although I have never had a problem with the straight edge tear, they have now introduced a wavy edge, which they claim makes this tedious chore much more bearable (sorry). This  amazing advancement in bathroom equipment has rightfully been named best new product of the year.

            Choice is big with them. If you go to the shampoo aisle at your local drug or grocery store, you will find Head & Shoulders in a bewildering variety of formulations – regular, regular with conditioner, bare (no perfumes or other additives), extra strength, dry scalp, oily scalp, for men – well, you get the idea. Perhaps they even have one for dogs. I must make it a point to check the pet supply aisle the next time I go shopping. Perhaps after I count the many variations available with Tide.

            American consumer products companies like P&G have made us the cleanest and best smelling people on earth. Just one more thing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day 2025 (I bet you were wondering how I’d sneak this in – anyway, Happy Thanksgiving!).

Copyright 2025, Patrick F. Cannon