Cavemen and zoos

We decided not to go to the zoo today. Between the light dusting of snow and the lasting chill, it just seemed likely that the critters would be holed up and not into the whole posing for pictures act. Tomorrow, while still chilly, won't be nearly as cold and a lot more sunny. Easter at the zoo? Maybe the bunnies will be missing since they'll all be out delivering eggs. (have you ever wondered why it isn't ducks doing that? Why would rabbits have eggs in the first place?)

Since I mentioned Evolution yesterday, I thought I'd mention cavemen today. It's a slight stretch as transitions go, but not real extreme. But I'm not going towards the "cavemen as progenitors of us" theme, but rather the Geico version of cavemen. Not exactly cute and cuddly, but still appealing in a very sarcastic way.

The reason I bring the Geico cavemen up is that there's an article in this weeks Newsweek Magazine that states that ABC is thinking of creating a half hour sitcom that features these characters.

The ad campaign was created for Geico (which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway--famous due to its ownership by billionaire Warren Buffett) by the Martin Agency of Richmond Virginia. It'd be quite the coup if Geico could get the inferential plug of a half hour sitcom without paying a penny for the publicity. Talk about effective PR cost! I admit it's hard to imagine a half hour sitcom about cavemen making it--but who'd have figured that a sitcom about 6 coffee addicted friends in NYC would be the biggest show for a decade?

According to the Newsweek article, Geico spent $499 million on advertising just last year. Wow! That's not just the cavemen spots though. It's also factoring in the cost of the Gecko spots and the ones that use "celebrity" spokesmen to speak for their average customers.

My favorite one is the one where average customer Paula Sala is backed up by Don LaFontaine, “that announcer guy from the movies”, who speaks to the accompaniment of stirring movie trailer music and sound effects. You can see both of them in the pics below:

Comments

kenju said…
I think if the level of sarcasm in the ads is kept up in the sit-com, it could be very successful!
11:56 AM
OldLady Of The Hills said…
Well, I've always liked the Geico Ads...if one can say they like Ads at all..(lol)...And I know Don LaFontaine a little bit---his very talented wife, Nita Whitaker, perfotmed in the AIDS Benefit I have been involved with as Co-Chair....well the first time was 1994...He, of course was there and was extremely supportive to the charity, the following year when Nita performed again....I think those Ads with the "spokespeople" are quite amusing! I particurly like the one with Little Richard...
As to that sitcom? Well, frankly I think it is a terrible idea...But then I am wrong many times about things like Sit Coms! It seems like a one joke concept, to me...
2:56 PM
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