The star on Tootsie Pops indicates that the lollipop has a specially made chocolate-flavored center, which is a nod to the classic Tootsie Roll. The presence of the star on the wrapper is significant in the Tootsie Pop branding and has become a recognizable symbol associated with the product.
In relation to the popular advertising campaign, the star also plays a role in consumer engagement. There was a long-running promotional activity where consumers who found a star on their Tootsie Pop wrapper could send it in for a reward, often seen as a fun interaction that promotes brand loyalty and engagement among fans of the candy.
The Tootsie Pop brand became widely known for its catchphrase, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?”, and the star has since become an iconic part of its marketing, alongside the memorable animated owl character from the commercials who famously concluded that it takes three licks to get to the center.
Overall, the star serves as both a marker of product quality and a nostalgic element of the Tootsie Pop brand, reinforcing its identity in the candy market.