The sock puppet's creation was almost as well thought out as Pets.com's business model.

FORBES: Sock, We're Gonna Make You a Star

Among them: Pets.com (with its crooning sock puppet), Outpost.com (flying gerbils) and Furniture.com (a smug, talking cat named George).

FORBES: Spin Control

Perfect time to exploit that slightly deranged dog sock puppet--who reflects every pet's fear of abandonment by wailing "Oohhhhhhh, baby, please don't go!"

FORBES: Sock, We're Gonna Make You a Star

In the U.S., found a hit with its fictional spokesman Doug the irreverent orange sock puppet, who figures in ads on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

FORBES: 33. Ford Motor Co.

Pets.com sock puppet Bark : Popular pet with the Internet set.

FORBES: Drop The Chihuahua

The sock puppet was a master salesthing from the get-go.

FORBES: Sock, We're Gonna Make You a Star

As for mine: we have just endured the biggest branding blitz of all time...and the only thing we remember is the stupid sock puppet of a soon-to-be-dead company--so much for the triumph of marketing.

FORBES: A Season For Surprises