Roto-Rooter is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year as its classic jingle, “Away Go Troubles Down the Drain,” turns 70. Since debuting live on Chicago’s WLS Radio in 1954, the catchy tune has not only served as an instantly recognizable call to action for plumbing services but has also become a piece of Americana. While many brands phased out their jingles as advertising styles evolved, Roto-Rooter’s jingle endured. It maintained its spot as one of the longest-running brand anthems in advertising history. This year, the company is marking the anniversary in style by tapping into modern technology and social media to keep the tune alive for today’s audiences.
Reinventing the Jingle for New Generations
The marketing team at Roto-Rooter is blending nostalgia with innovation to reintroduce the jingle to younger generations. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, the company invited employees and artificial intelligence to reinterpret the tune in genres spanning disco, reggae, and beyond. “Roto-Rooter is quick first-aid, for clogs, sewers, and stopped-up drains,” the lyrics say, detailing the company’s sewer and drain cleaning expertise in a memorable way. The brand’s marketing director shared that the strength of the jingle lies in how it summarizes Roto-Rooter’s services in a few catchy lines, making it “an instantly recognizable piece of Americana.”
The jingle has seen several adaptations over the years. Last December, Roto-Rooter released a holiday-themed commercial with Santa’s elves singing the jingle.
Just this month, the brand launched a Halloween ad where the tune was performed with a humorous vampire accent. These festive spins have added freshness to the classic jingle while keeping it relevant and fun for today’s audiences.
Social Media Influencers Join the Fun
In a move to reach younger consumers who may not be familiar with Roto-Rooter’s musical heritage, the company is partnering with social media influencers who are known for their musical talents. These influencers are being encouraged to give the jingle their own unique twists. Once completed they are encouraged to share them across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The aim is to introduce the beloved tune to a new generation of customers for the first time. I wonder if they can turn it into a viral TikTok dance.
Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter has grown to become the leading provider of plumbing repair and sewer and drain cleaning services across the U.S. and Canada. They operate in over 130 company-owned territories and more than 340 franchise territories. Roto-Rooter has maintained a powerful brand presence through its steadfast use of its classic jingle over the years. And now, as it partners with influencers and experiments with AI, Roto-Rooter is ensuring that its legacy sound will live on well into the future. The clog and clean many more drains into the future.
By updating a 70-year-old jingle in a modern way, Roto-Rooter is proving that some things really do get better with age—especially when a catchy tune is involved.
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