The Maytag Repairman, the longest-running real-life advertising character on U.S. television, is keeping his job. The character, who's always lonely because of the reliability of Maytag's appliances,
will remain "in the marketing mix," Whirlpool announced yesterday. His fate became uncertain after Whirlpool acquired rival Maytag Corp. in March. Next year marks the character's 40th anniversary and
the 100th anniversary of the first Maytag washing machine. Further details, including the future gender of the repairman, were not disclosed.
