
Perdue Farms' commercials have featured the Perdue family across four generations. Frank Perdue, who first appeared in the company's television ads in 1970, was joined by his son and current Perdue Farms chairman Jim Perdue in 1994. In 2017, Jim's sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue, joined their father and grandfather in two new commercials featuring Perdue Harvestland organic chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
| Actors | Frank Perdue, Jim Perdue, Chris Perdue, Ryan Perdue |
| Relationship | Frank Perdue is the founder of Perdue Farms and Jim Perdue's father. Jim Perdue is the current chairman of the company and Chris and Ryan Perdue's father |
| Tagline | "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken" |
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What You'll Learn
- Frank Perdue, the company founder, first appeared in Perdue Farms commercials in 1970
- Frank's son, Jim Perdue, joined his father in advertisements in 1994
- Jim's sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue, starred alongside their father in 2017 commercials
- The ads were shot on a farm raising organic chickens for Perdue
- The commercials highlight the generational differences between Jim and his sons

Frank Perdue, the company founder, first appeared in Perdue Farms commercials in 1970
Perdue's innovative ideas about large-scale breeding and processing, as well as his commitment to quality, helped the company capture a significant market share. However, it was his decision to launch a national advertising campaign that truly turned Perdue Farms into a household name. In the early 1970s, Perdue met with dozens of advertising agencies before settling on a campaign that featured him as the spokesperson. The first commercial aired in 1970 or 1971 and introduced Perdue's now-famous tagline, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken."
Perdue's unique appearance and delivery made him a trusted and relatable figure to consumers. His bald head, droopy-eyed expression, and prominent nose made people smile and feel comfortable with him. Perdue set a new trend in advertising by having the CEO serve as the brand spokesperson, and his successful campaign helped make Perdue Farms the third-largest poultry producer in the United States.
Perdue's quest to sell a better product led to several innovations, such as the Perdue OVEN STUFFER Roaster and the development of a specialized chicken feed that included marigold blossoms. This feed imparted a golden yellow hue to the chickens' skins, making them appear more appealing to consumers. Perdue's commitment to quality and his innovative marketing strategies left a lasting impact on the company and the poultry industry as a whole.
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Frank's son, Jim Perdue, joined his father in advertisements in 1994
Frank Perdue, the founder of Perdue Farms, first appeared in the company's television advertisements in 1970. He is known for the famous tagline, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken." Frank's son, Jim Perdue, joined him in these advertisements in 1994. At the time, Jim had been working in the family business for over a decade, having joined in 1983 as an entry-level management trainee in quality assurance.
Jim Perdue is the current chairman of Perdue Farms and has continued his family's legacy of promoting the company's products. In 1995, he took over as the advertising spokesperson for the brand. He has guided the company in its second century of ownership by upholding the values inherited from his grandfather and father while also responding to consumers and stakeholders. Under Jim's leadership, Perdue Farms has made significant strides in improving animal care and was the first major company to move away from routine antibiotic use.
The Perdue family has a strong connection to their business, with family values at the core of their brand. In 2017, the company introduced the fourth generation of family advertising spokespersons with Jim's sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue, joining their father in commercials for Perdue Harvestland organic chicken. These advertisements highlighted the generational differences between Jim and his sons and showcase the evolution of the Perdue business.
Jim Perdue has expressed that family is an integral part of the Perdue story, and their advertising reflects this. The Perdues value transparency and are committed to continuously improving animal care to maintain and expand consumer trust. By incorporating their family into their marketing, the Perdues showcase their dedication to the business and the trust consumers have placed in the brand across generations.
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Jim's sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue, starred alongside their father in 2017 commercials
In 2017, Jim Perdue starred in two commercials for Perdue Harvestland organic chicken alongside his sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue. The Perdue family has been associated with Perdue Farms and its television commercials since 1970, when Frank Perdue, Jim's father, first appeared in the company's television ads. Frank Perdue's tagline, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken," became famous.
Jim Perdue joined his father in Perdue Farms commercials in 1994. In the 2017 commercials, Chris and Ryan Perdue, who work for the company, joined their father in a series of settings, including in the cab of a truck, around a dining room table, and on a chicken farm. The commercials capture the generational differences between Jim and his sons and showcase the contrast between the old and new ways Perdue does business. For example, in one of the spots, Jim plays a dad who is out of touch with modern technology, fumbling with a paper map instead of using GPS.
The Perdue Harvestland organic chicken commercials were shot on a farm that raises chickens for the company. The farm, located near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, allows chickens to wander out of their enclosure and roam across a green pasture. The commercials also featured buzzwords like "free range," "organic," "non-GMO," and "100 percent vegetarian-fed."
Chris and Ryan Perdue expressed their honour and excitement to be doing the commercials with their dad, following in the footsteps of their grandfather and father. They also acknowledged the importance of transparency for current and future consumers, who care about where their food comes from and how it gets to their plate.
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The ads were shot on a farm raising organic chickens for Perdue
Perdue Farms has been a family-owned company for generations. The Perdue family has been at the forefront of the company's advertising campaigns since 1970, when Frank Perdue, the founder's son, first appeared in television ads with the famous tagline, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken." Frank's son and current chairman of the company, Jim Perdue, joined his father in these advertisements in 1994.
In 2017, Perdue Farms introduced the fourth generation of the family to its advertising with Jim's sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue, joining their father in two new commercials featuring Perdue Harvestland organic chicken. The ads were shot on a farm raising organic chickens for Perdue and highlighted the generational differences between Jim and his sons, showcasing the contrast between the old and new ways Perdue does business.
Chris and Ryan expressed their honour in appearing in the commercials with their father, acknowledging the trust that consumers place in the Perdue brand due to the family's longstanding presence in the company and its advertising. The lighthearted ads also captured the company's progressive changes, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and meeting consumer demands for information about the source of their food.
Perdue Farms has been recognized as a leader in the market due to its branding and advertising of a superior product. The company has continued to innovate, focusing on initiatives such as raising chickens without antibiotics and improving animal care practices. The inclusion of the fourth generation of the Perdue family in their advertising reflects their commitment to carrying forward the values that have made the brand successful.
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The commercials highlight the generational differences between Jim and his sons
The Perdue chicken commercials feature a familiar face: Jim Perdue, the chairman of Perdue Farms and the son of its founder, Frank Perdue. Jim has been the face of the company for over 20 years, and his friendly and approachable demeanor has made him a well-recognized spokesperson. Standing alongside him are his two actual sons, Rusty and Chris Perdue, who represent the fourth generation of the Perdue family involved in the family business. The commercials deliberately highlight the generational differences between Jim and his sons, presenting a lighthearted and humorous take on the changing times and the evolving nature of the poultry business.
Jim Perdue, with his folksy and straightforward style, embodies the traditional, no-nonsense approach of the previous generation. His attire is typically a simple button-down shirt or a polo, often paired with a vest or a light jacket. His hair is neatly combed, and he sports a clean-shaven look, exuding an air of reliability and trustworthiness. In the commercials, he often speaks directly to the camera, delivering straightforward messages about the quality and freshness of Perdue chicken. His no-frills approach reflects the values of hard work, honesty, and simplicity that have been associated with the brand for decades.
In contrast, his sons, Rusty and Chris, represent the modern generation with their more relaxed and casual attitudes. They often sport more casual attire, such as t-shirts, jeans, or even flannel shirts. Their hairstyles are more contemporary, and they are not afraid to experiment with facial hair styles. The sons bring a playful and lighthearted dynamic to the commercials, often engaging in friendly banter with their father. Their presence introduces a more laid-back and approachable aspect to the brand, appealing to a younger demographic.
The generational differences are played up for comedic effect, with Jim sometimes portrayed as slightly old-fashioned or out of touch with modern trends. His sons gently rib him about his traditional ways, while also showing respect for the values and legacy he represents. This dynamic reflects the real-life transition that many family businesses go through as younger generations take on more prominent roles. By acknowledging and embracing these differences, the commercials present a relatable and charming narrative that resonates with viewers from multiple generations.
The Perdue chicken commercials effectively utilize this intergenerational contrast to showcase the evolution of the brand while still honoring its roots. Jim Perdue's presence provides a sense of continuity and tradition, assuring long-time customers of the unchanged quality and values they have come to expect. Meanwhile, the inclusion of his sons signals progress, innovation, and a willingness to adapt to the preferences and expectations of modern consumers. This balanced approach allows Perdue Farms to appeal to a broad spectrum of audiences, bridging the gap between traditional values and contemporary tastes.
Through this playful portrayal of generational differences, the Perdue chicken commercials have successfully created a memorable and endearing image for the brand. By embracing both change and tradition, the Perdue family has ensured that their business remains relevant and resonant with consumers of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
The Perdue chicken commercial features the fourth generation of the Perdue family, including Jim Perdue, and his sons, Chris and Ryan Perdue.
The Harvestland commercial focuses on the way chickens are raised, highlighting the fact that the chickens are free-range, organic, non-GMO, and 100% vegetarian-fed.
The Perdue chicken commercial tagline is, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken."
The Perdue chicken commercial first aired in 1970, featuring Frank Perdue, with his son and current chairman of the company, Jim Perdue, joining him in 1994.











































