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May 27, 2012

That Geico mascot isn't cute or funny

by Bob Sassone, posted Mar 23rd 2009 9:03AM

Geico moneyGeico usually has some pretty effective ad campaigns. Think the green gecko or the cavemen or celebrities like Joan Rivers and Little Richard. But the new mascot/spokeswhatever is a dud.

You've probably seen the ads. This stack of money with just a pair of eyes resting on top of it shows up at various places and symbolizes the amount of money a person could save if they switched to Geico. He shows up at a restaurant next to a couple eating, he shows up on the roof of a house where men are working, and he shows up on the edge of a wooden post next to a man working in a yard or field. They're joined by a guy who drives up in his car asking for directions. He could have saved money too.

The problem? He's not cute or funny or entertaining like the other Geico mascots have been. He doesn't say anything (no mouth), and we sit there in front of our TVs not quite sure if we're supposed to laugh at the little stack of money eyes or what. I think viewers are more freaked out and/or bored by the ads.

But he does have a Twitter page, which is impressive considering he doesn't have any fingers to type with. Or maybe it isn't impressive: he hasn't updated at all since joining over a month ago.

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21 Comments

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MikePonti

I prefer this commercial over the Gecko and the Caveman, or at least consider it better advertising. All the Caveman and the Gecko do are contradict the statement the commercial puts forth. They're funny, but they don't make me want Geico. At least the money pile is straightforward.

I blog all about commercials, including this one, hither:
www.mikepontiwantsajobinadvertising.blogspot.com

April 10 2009 at 10:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
laura

I LOVE the money dude, the song, its relentless unyielding stare.

March 24 2009 at 8:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ben

funny or not, ad was successful in getting you to talk about it.

March 23 2009 at 4:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
brooke

To me, those eyes seem stolen straight from one of my daughter's favorite toddler tv shows: OOBI. You can still catch it on Noggin every once in awhile.

http://www.noggin.com/shows/oobi.php

March 23 2009 at 2:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joseph Singer

I'm *totally* over the annoying British gecko.

March 23 2009 at 1:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Joseph Singer's comment
Ryan

I don't know. I'm really liking the most recent one with the CEO guy falling on the gecko as a trust exercise. HIlarious.

March 23 2009 at 3:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David Gunter

The agency that has this account also came up with the cavemen,the Gecko and the UPS White board ads.It is located in my home town and it's a great firm BUT in this case they have a miss not a hit.It just doesn't have the same hook to it the other ads have.You will see these ads for awhile since there is an element of getting your money's worth to these campaigns etc but hopefully the plug will get pulled soon.

March 23 2009 at 1:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jordan

You're in the minority, Bob. There's quite a lot of positive reception to the money stack character judging from market research. Have had professors remarking how the commercial works well recently.

March 23 2009 at 1:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jgs9455

I don't really like the eyes, but I absolutley HATE the cavemen. Stupid. Yes to the lizard.

March 23 2009 at 12:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ryan

It's sorta cute. And sorta funny. And the song is A+.

So many negative nancys here.

March 23 2009 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kat

Heck, I love em. Love the song, love the googly eyes. My 4 year old son loves em too :)

March 23 2009 at 12:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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