Where Have You Gone, Joe DiMaggio?

That might be one question being asked by readers of today’s USA Today? Consumers are being asked to vote online for their all-time favorite commercial icons.

“It’s the ultimate seal of approval from consumers,” says Matt Scheckner, executive director of Advertising Week, an organization of corporate and media partners that sponsors the competition.

The “winners” will be enshrined forever on Madison Avenue—borrowing (stealing?) an idea from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is the eighth year of the competition, but the first time voting is being done through social media. The organizers expect this contest to go viral.

Some are old, some are new…and some of the nominees are downright confusing.

Belong: The Old Spice Guy; The Most Interesting Man in the World; Subway’s Jared Fogle; The Coca-Cola Polar Bears (although I’d argue that their “Santa” is much more iconic); and The Energizer Bunny.

Really?: Mr. Mayhem; The Kia Hampsters (no clue they even existed); Progressive’s “Flo” (annoying); The E-Trade Baby; and Mr. Mucus (yep, that’s a mascot).

And no mention of Ronald McDonald? Aunt Jemima? The Pillsbury Doughboy?

See the article (and list) for yourself here: Ad Icon Battle: Smokey the Bear vs. Progressive’s Flo