Holy product placement, Batman!

What is it about the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder – Batman and Robin – that makes advertisers want to put them in commercials?

I tell you, when they’re not battling the Penguin or the Joker, Batman and Robin do a helluva job as product pitchmen.  Such as, for example.

ZAYRE
Batman and Robin appeared in this commercial for Zayre, a Boston-based department store chain.  Zayre’s was a very popular store – my Grandma Betty used to shop at Zayre’s all the time.  I doubt that the Dynamic Duo influenced any of her purchasing decisions…

ZELLERS
Not to be outdone, the Dynamic Duo did this animated commercial for Zellers, a Canadian variety store chain.  Gotta love the detailed animation for this commercial.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
In this commercial from 1974, Batgirl has a chance to rescue Batman and Robin from a bomb, but decides to use this moment to complain about not receiving equal pay for equal work.  Note that although Batgirl and Robin are played by Yvonne Craig and Burt Ward (as from the 1960’s TV series), Batman is now played by actor Dick Gauthier.

ONSTAR
Has someone figured out that if Batman has OnStar, he’s essentially tracked by a GPS in case anything bad happens to him – and, if so, OnStar could track Batman back to the location of the Batcave?

MARX TOYS
You can ride in your very own Batmobile, in this 1960’s toy commercial.

SESAME STREET
Sesame Street used several popular TV shows as “commercials,” and this appearance by Batman and Robin was one of them.

DIET COKE
With a special appearance by Alfred the Butler, Batman’s off for a Diet Coke run. I wonder if he’s got some bottle holders in that utility belt of his…

BATMAN CEREAL
Did the people who made the 1989 Tim Burton film go overboard in the marketing department or what?