Miami's Iconic Coppertone Girl Won't Get Burned

The original illustration was created by artist Joyce Ballantyne Brand.

The sign was originally erected on Biscayne Boulevard in 1959.

Things are looking sunny for Miami’s iconic Coppertone Girl sign, which hangs on the Concord Building at 66th W. Flagler St.

The sign's future has been in jeopardy for quite some time. Locals consider it to be a part of Miami history, and there have been a number of organizations and citizens fighting for its restoration and safety.
The New York Times reported on Miami's Coppertone Girl saga back in 1991.

The Biscayne Times reported on the latest chapter of the suntan saga earlier this week, when it was uncertain whether the MiMo Biscayne Association would be able to take the iconic ad down from its current home.

We spoke with the president of the association, Fran Rollason, who told us the sign will be taken down in the next few weeks and moved to storage, where it will be evaluated for its refurbishing. Eventually, plans are to restore the sign and move it back to its original location on Biscayne Boulevard.

Erected in Miami in 1959, the Coppertone Ad represents quintessential Miami – sun and fun. The sign’s original home was Biscayne Boulevard at NE 6th Street (it hung there for nearly 30 years), but was later moved to its location on Flagler St., where it has been for the past 15 years.

Although the ad is globally recognized, its roots are planted in Florida. The campaign’s artist, Joyce Ballantyne Brand, was a resident of Ocala, FL. (She passed away in 2006). Coppertone was developed by Miami Beach pharmacist, Benjamin Green, in the 1940s.

For more information you can check out the history of the ad campaign or Miam's local Channel 10 coverage of the events happening last summer.