Orange Man Group?

That’s certainly no typo, and believe it or not, it was actually a thing! Between 1994 and 1996, PepsiCo Latin America sought to revamp its ad campaign for its popular orange-flavored soft drink, Mirinda. The beloved Spanish pop-culture drink was invented in Spain in 1959 and received global distribution thanks to a contract with PepsiCo. The drink is primarily sold outside U.S. markets and can be found in Mexico, India, Papua New Guinea, and Nigeria.

So how did Blue Man Group get involved? PepsiCo needed to create 30-second ads that could run across multiple countries and cultures and, despite language barriers, still showcase universal human instincts like wonder, comedy, and childlike innocence. Along the way, it was discovered that none other than Blue Man Group—a New York-based theatrical production entering its third year at the Astor Place Theatre—would be the perfect conduit to help launch Mirinda worldwide. Blue Man Group’s central focus on three distinct, silent characters who express a wide range of emotions made them an instant hit among Indian and Latin American audiences. The old adage, “actions speak louder than words,” truly paid off for Mirinda, making it a household name. Without uttering a single word, the trio used exaggerated facial expressions to convey a sense of wonder and fun that transcended borders, cultures, and languages.

Founded by three longtime friends, Matt Goldman, Chris Wink, and Phil Stanton, Blue Man Group became the catalyst for PepsiCo’s launch of the brand through 10 short film-style commercials, each 30 seconds long, featuring the trio finding fun and clever ways to enjoy Mirinda. Painted a vivid bright orange, the Orange Man Group was born. You can still find their ads on YouTube and on former ad art director Terry O’Leary’s website.

Here we have a rare glimpse into one of the film shoot days including the Blue Man Group co-founders Matt Goldman, Chris Wink and Phil Stanton, courtesy of Rob and Jennifer McManus, who jointly own “Sticks and Stones FX.” These rare and never before seen photos offer Blue Man Group and Mirinda fans an up close perspective into the making of one of Mirinda’s most noted ad campaigns.