All About Catalina
The Chicken of the Sea mermaid has been with us since (almost) the very beginning
When you think about Chicken of the Sea, there’s a pretty good chance you think about Catalina, our iconic mermaid mascot. If you’ve bought a can of our tuna any time since 1952, her big smile and shimmering tail are as familiar as our name.
As recognizable as she is, you might be surprised to learn that Catalina hasn’t always been our mascot. In fact, her name hasn’t always been Catalina! Here’s a quick history of everyone’s favorite mermaid.
Meet the Mermaid
The first products sold under the Chicken of the Sea brand appeared in 1930. A little over 20 years later, in 1952, our mermaid mascot made her debut. The original illustration, with her tall blonde beehive and button nose, was modeled after Grace Lee Whitney—the actress who played Yeoman Janie Rand on the original Star Trek series. Over the decades, the mermaid has changed up her hairstyle and even the color of her tail, but her blonde hair and wand (or, most recently, her trident) have remained fixtures of her look.
Catalina Gets Her Name
By the time Chicken of the Sea’s 100th birthday rolled around in 2014, our mermaid mascot had been synonymous with our brand for over 60 years. But up until that point, she was just a mermaid—she didn’t have a name yet. So, as part of our 100th birthday celebration, we held a contest to see who could come up with the best name for our mermaid. Peggy L. of Urbana, Ohio won first prize (and $10,000!) for her entry: Catalina. This name reflects the bounty of the sea and our southern California roots, so it’s perfect for our beloved mermaid. We can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Catalina.
A New Look for 2023—and Beyond
In January 2023, we launched our first complete rebrand in over 20 years. As always, Catalina was front and center: Our new logo features an updated, modern illustration that we think better embodies the inspiring character she’s always been. Catalina’s fresh and vibrant new look also reflects our renewed focus on healthy, happy living, both today and for many years to come.
