The pink flamingo is being replaced by the Pink Panther in all advertising for Owens-Corning Canada’s Fiberglas Pink insulation.

Scott Thornley, principal of Corning’s Toronto agency, Scott Thornley & Company, says the decision to use the Pink Panther cartoon character is part of a global strategy.

Thornley says the panther, which has been used in Fiberglas Pink advertising in the u.s. for years, will be featured in a made-in-Canada print and tv campaign this fall.

Thornley also handles the communication needs of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, also known as the Canadian Air Force, which has been sponsored by Owens-Corning since 1986.

Designing a logo for the ski team eight years ago evolved into Thornley designing a line of clothing for the Air Force called Airwear.

Airwear sweats, hats, bags and bomber jackets have limited distribution right now at Blackcomb and Whistler ski resorts in b.c., but Thornley says he is looking at cross-country distribution for the new fall line.

Promotion of the line will include a recent series of photos taken of the ski team in Airwear bomber jackets with Canadian Armed Forces CF18 jets.

The Canadian Armed Forces offered the jets as a backdrop after the ski team’s impressive showing at the Winter Olympics this past February.

While some of the pictures show the Air Force members on or inside a CF18, by using a trampoline they appear to be soaring above the jets in others. PS