Speedy Gonzales

In the battle for broadband mind share, one Warner Bros. character continues to run laps around its animated brethren: Road Runner. For more than a decade, this Looney Tune has served as the brand icon for the Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) high-speed Internet service.

However, after coming across this sign in my neighborhood recently, I'm wondering if the bird may soon face some competition.



While Road Runner was busy gaining cable market momentum, The Cartoon Network shelved Speedy Gonzales in 1999, concerned the 1950s-era Mexican mouse cartoons perpetuated racial stereotypes. Defying gringo assumptions, U.S. Latino groups waged a successful campaign to bring their ratón favorito back to cable TV in 2002.

In 2006, VW picked Speedy Gonzales to promote the Golf GTI in TV ads targeting Hispanic viewers.

Could broadband be next for "the fastest mouse in all Mexico"?

"Ándale! Ándale! Arriba! Arriba!"

— Michael Harris, Chief Analyst, Cable Digital News