Matey Bubble Bath

Associated With

Unknown original creator; Nicholas Laboratories was the advertiser in a preserved 1983–1984 commercial - associated person or organisation not established

Defining Feature

Children's bubble bath marketed through named nautical characters and animated advertising

Status

Active - Brand remains active; a 1983–1984 television commercial is preserved by the History of Advertising Trust

Overview

Matey has turned children’s bubble bath into a cast of nautical characters since 1958.

Sailor Matey was the first face of the brand, with later bottles introducing figures including Max, Hamina, Molly, Arlo and Jasper.

Animated television adverts helped make the character-shaped bottles and mountains of bubbles familiar beyond the bathroom.

Why It Mattered

Matey sold bath time as play rather than another part of getting clean. The bottle itself became a character children could recognise, while the adverts turned bubbles, boats and nautical adventure into the product’s lasting identity.

Product positioning

• The official brand history says Matey launched in 1958 to make bath time fun.
• Sailor Matey was followed by an expanded family of named characters.

Current formula claims

• The brand describes its current formula as pH neutral and dermatologically tested.
• It identifies the current bubble bath as suitable for sensitive skin.
• The present crew retains nautical and marine character themes.

Preserved advertising

• The History of Advertising Trust catalogues the colour commercial Starburst to 1983–1984.
• The 30-second item used animation and was made by Dragon Animation for Nicholas Laboratories.
• Its archive reference is HAT59/008/12/186.

Gallery