In a recent magazine ad celebrating its 100 Year Anniversary, the Crayola Company (makers of Crayons) asked the public to name the 4 new colors being added to the 100th Anniversary Box.

If you can't read the text on the ad shown to the left, click on it and see a more descriptive version.

The headline reads: Obviously, we need some help naming our 100-year anniversary crayons.

Notice the name of the #4 crayon? That’s right: FRED. As if to say FRED is no better than “ummm,” “notta clue” and “kinda blue (the other 3 no-names listed).” All the Freds here at FredQuarters were fumming when they saw the ad and tried contacting Crayon on several occasions, but never heard back. We even asked all our Fred members (friends too) through an email campaign blitz to log on to a specific Crayon webpage and vote "Fred Red." We wanted everyone at Crayola to know that FRED would be a great choice, that it’s a proud and distinguished name, and one not to be loosely tossed into a pile with other soon-to-be discarded monikers. We were mad as hell and not going to take it any more. Plus we thought, wouldn't it be great to have a crayon named "Fred?"

But alas, our efforts melted away like a burnt umber crayola on a Phoenix sidewalk. The Crayola Company was not swayed by the thousands of email votes for "FRED RED." Sadly, the winning colors were recently announced: Inch Worm, Jazzberry Jam, Wild Blue Yonder and Mango Tango. Not a "FRED RED" in site.

We lost this battle but want to thank all the Freds and Friends of the Freds for their valiant efforts to change the course of Crayola history. You're the brightest colors in our box of Crayolas, for sure! Thank you!

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