Real people meet celebrity testimonials in this tongue-in-cheek Geico insurance campaign directed by Chris Smith of bicoastal Smuggler for The Martin Agency, Richmond, Va. In “Burt Bacharach,” the noted songwriter, clad in a tuxedo, sits at a piano alongside Brenda Coates, a real Geico customer. Coates relates her story, which is then translated sentence by sentence into song by Bacharach who plays the piano.
“Last year, I was rear-ended by a Geico customer,” says Coates.
“I was hit in the rear,” sings Bacharch, offering piano accompaniment.
“The first thought in my mind was that funny lizard,” continues Coates, referring to the Geico mascot/spokesreptile.
“Lizard licks his eyeball,” croons Bacharach while tickling the ivories.
“I was so impressed with how they handled my claim, I switched,” noted Coates.
“I hope I never get hit in the rear again,” sings Bacharach in a big-finish style, at which point Geico and its Web site address (geico.com) appear on screen.
The creative ensemble at The Martin Agency consisted of creative director Steve Bassett, copywriter Bob Meagher, art director Adam Stockton, producer Holly Flaisher and assistant producer Varlier Battenfeld.
Smith’s support team at Smuggler included executive producer Brian Carmody and producer Suzanne Hargrove. The DP was Stefan Czapsky.
Editor was Dick Gordon of bicoastal Spot Welders.
AICP’s Matt Miller Looks To Build Support For Production In L.A. After Devastating Wildfires
Editor’s note: AICP president and CEO Matt Miller issued the following statement addressing the wildfires in Los Angeles and how the industry can help this key production market--a hub of major resources essential to the health of the overall commercialmaking industry:
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
By Matt Miller, AICP president and CEO
One doesn’t have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent.
But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather.
The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the L.A. area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living.
Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community.
Production is needed in L.A., now!
Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the... Read More