When the original Ghostbusters was released in the mid-1980’s it became instantly popular and let to numerous merchandising deals and product tie-ins. But among all the toys, and cartoons, and memorabilia there was one Ghostbusters related product that stood above all others. There was one that was not simply a cheap cash-in, but was, in fact, an elevation of the product to a near art form. I am speaking, of course, of Hi-C’s Ecto Cooler, and it looks like it may be coming back.
That sound you just heard was the cheers of millions of 30 year olds across the country. Ecto Cooler was an incredibly popular flavor of the juice box product that began in 1987 as a tie in with the Real Ghostbusters cartoon series. While Ecto Cooler has not been sold in well over a decade it looks like it may be on the way back. According to Comicbook.com, Coca-Cola, who owns the Hi-C brand, just filed to renew the trademark of the Ecto Cooler name. This has led many to speculate that the classic drink may be making a return as part of a tie-in with Paul Feig’s upcoming Ghostbusters reboot.
The drink was originally brought out in 1987 and branded with an image of Slimer, the sidekick from the Real Ghostbusters cartoon series. The drink was so popular that it continued to be sold for years after the cartoon was cancelled in 1991. It hasn’t been available for years, however, much to the chagrin of many fans. It’s become such a high demand product by those that remember it that many have attempted to recreate by mixing together numerous currently available drinks.
The renewing of trademark is standard business practice so this is not a guarantee that the flavor is coming back. It could just be Coca-Cola making sure that nobody else can come out with their own drink and give it the same name.Keeping the trademark on the name is worth doing even if they just think they might want to use it one day, or if they want to sell it rather than just letting the trademark expire and giving it away.
Still, the timing is certainly curious, with the trademark being renewed less than a year before the new film hits theaters. If Coke did want to get something out of the trademark next year would certainly be the time to do it. Seeing something familiar from the classic Ghostbusters era might also help those people who are frightened by change to relax.
Are you excited at the potential return of Ecto Cooler? Is anybody else thinking they should take up soccer again just so they can drink one after practice?
