Gobbledok
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Gobbledok is a fictional advertising character used by the Smith's Corporation in the late 1980s to early 1990s. It is a cute, pale brown alien obsessed with eating Smith's Crisps. The Gobbledok ate Smith's crisps because they reminded it of its home, Dok the Potato Planet. The Gobbledok was famous for saying "Chippie, Chippie, Chippie!"
The campaign was first created in May 1987 by Sydney's George Patterson Advertising. Brainchild of in-house writer John Finkleston, the character was designed and brought to life by Special Effects creator Warren Beaton - also responsible for creating Watties NZ's "Getti" - and originally performed by diminutive actor Steven George. Originally intended as a one-off spot to introduce Smith's new "Seal of Freshness" packaging for their Crisps, the overnight popularity of the Gobbledok and exponential rise in sales prompted its long association with the Smith's brand in Australia.
Gobbledok's many adventures included: Crashing his tiny spaceship into a carpark, then Breaking into a Supermarket. Being mistaken for a "Great suit" at a costume party. Riding with a truck driver. Running at the "speed of sound". Using "The Force" to steal Chippies from a lounging couple. Moving in with an elderly Potato farmer & his wife, "it's all right, he's from the City, Luv". Being hunted by the Police and the Armed forces. Appearing in clips of old B-Grade movies such as Plan 9 from outer Space etc, then all of them dancing "the Gobbledok".
Few people ever noticed things such as his Trademark earring swapping ears from scene to scene, or that he ate chippies but in fact had no teeth.
The campaign ran continuously for over 10 years until the late 1990s. It has subsequently been replaced by new advertising campaigns, and Smith's Advertising now handled by another agency. The Gobbledok - or at least a rather poor copy of him - has made a cameo in at least one Smiths advertisements since the campaign ended, such as the recent "Eat happy" ad.
September the 24th 2007 has also recently been declared "Free the Gobbledok" day in Australia
As of 2008, the Gobbledok has begun to appear on some Smith's chips packaging.
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