No laughing matter for Santa, Giant

What happens when an established magazine and TV star is caught using material originally made famous by Santa Claus? As every child knows, the greeting, "Ho, ho, ho," belongs to none other than S. Claus. However, the past several years have seen this Yuletide laughter being exploited in a most successful ad campaign. The Jolly Green Giant finds himself having to defend the originality of his "Ho, ho, ho" as he greets Santa one snowy morning in December 1969. "Ho, ho, ho yourself," quips Santa. "That's a marvelous line, but it happens to be mine." Being at a loss for words, the Giant responds by bestowing on Santa a pack of goodies from his garden. With that, Santa immediately changes his tone: "Green Giant, `tis the spirit of Christmas to share a good laugh together." So my gift to you is the right to share `Ho, ho, ho.' Sorry it isn't gift-wrapped," concludes the ad for Green Giant Co. by Leo Burnett Co, Chicago.

No laughing matter for Santa, Giant

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