Short Answer 
Ed McMahon was the face of American Family Publishers (AFP), not Publishers Clearing House (PCH), leading to public confusion due to their similar marketing strategies. This confusion has resulted in a widespread false memory associating McMahon with PCH, despite his exclusive involvement with AFP.
Step 1: Clarifying McMahon’s Involvement
Ed McMahon was never associated with Publishers Clearing House (PCH). Instead, he was the face of American Family Publishers (AFP), where he promoted their sweepstakes in various commercials. During the 1980s and 1990s, McMahon appeared alongside fellow TV personality Clark, showcasing the sweepstakes and encouraging magazine subscriptions for chances to win large prizes.
Step 2: Understanding the Competition
AFP and PCH were direct competitors in the sweepstakes marketing arena, often using similar strategies that led to public confusion. They both utilized large checks and promoted surprise visits to winners’ homes. This similarity in marketing tactics significantly contributed to people mistakenly associating Ed McMahon with PCH rather than AFP.
Step 3: Addressing the False Memory
Over time, the association of Ed McMahon with PCH developed into a widespread *false memory* among the public. Many individuals firmly believe that McMahon was connected to Publishers Clearing House due to the marketing similarities. In reality, McMahon’s involvement was exclusively with AFP, not PCH, despite public perception.