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GEICO, what the 'gecko' are you doing?

By
Real Estate Agent with Taylor Properties 500436

The new GEICO commercials are just too weird.  There -- I said it! 

Money with eyes?

What’s up with that? 

I’ve always been on board with GEICO’s innovative approach to advertising. 

There’s the gecko (that finds himself in the strangest situations), the caveman (that inspired his own television series), and the celebrity 'translators' (movie-trailer-voice guy was awesome).  Also, we can't forget the print advertising touting the huge savings that awaited new customers.  That's the ad campaign that really pulled me in.

Above and beyond the myriad spokesmen and/or mascots used, the fact that many were used at the same time is what elevated GEICO above the average advertiser for me. I’ve really applauded their novel, creative ideas. 

But, this?

The money with the eyes?

How in the hell did that one slip through marketing?

Just plain creepy, if you ask me.

People are talking about it (I wrote a blog about it, wanna to read it?) but, is this the kind of attention GEICO’s looking for? Is it a case of any kind of attention is better than none at all?

I’d never aspire to cause a buzz for my business just for the sake of causing a buzz.  I want positive, awe-inspiring, funny issues associated with my brand***, not creepy things.

So, GEICO, take it from a loyal customer of many years, get a grip and pull the creepy eye-on-the-money thingee. 

You’re freaking me out.

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***'cause I’m a positive, awe-inspiring, funny kind of gal -- humble, too…

 

 

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All the best,

Lanette in Bel Air

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Comments (10)

Bo Hussung
Bell Title /Triserv LLC - Nashvle, TN

Lanette, I feel the same. I have always wondered how certain campaigns make it into the mainstream. Like a bunch of supposedly educated people sit around at a conference room table and actually say out loud, "yeah that is a great idea, when can we begin?" Right!

Way to go for stating how you feel.

Bo

 

 

Jan 13, 2009 02:32 AM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Bo - I'm thinking that's the way it happens, too.  Someone actually gave the thumbs up to this creepy campaign...BaHa!

Jan 13, 2009 02:35 AM
Randy "Lazarus" McAtee
Lazarus Realty - Fresno, CA
Owner/Broker, Lazarus Realty, Fresno California

I think they achieved their goal if everyone is talking about it.

Remember the Quiznos commercial with that really strange looking creature.  I think it was brilliant!

Jan 13, 2009 02:42 AM
Rich Mielke
REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD
REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

Lanette, the commercial got you talking about it, even though you think it is creepy. GEICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, and Warren does make the bucks. I do like the remake of Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me" that they are using in the commercial.

Jan 13, 2009 02:44 AM
Rich Mielke
REMAX Results, Frederick MD - Frederick, MD
REALTOR, Frederick Maryland Real Estate

The characters name is, "Kash". He is the bundle of money you are saving by being a GEICO customer. GEICO has an interesting set of ad campaigns that they have run concurrently, the Caveman, the gecko, the fake commercials with the "no, but I just saved a bundle..." tagline and the movie translator ones. Clever.

Jan 13, 2009 02:51 AM
Dianne Barody
Century 21 AmeriSouth Realty - Pensacola, FL
Pensacola Florida Real Estate

Lanette:  It may be creepy but like some have said....we are talking about it so they must be doing something right  in their marketing

Jan 13, 2009 02:53 AM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Lazarus Realty - that Quizno's commercial is another one that made me go, "Eeeew!"  That was the one with the rat, right?  They used a rat to advertise their food!  I wouldn't touch a Quizno sandwich w/a 10-foot pole.  My Mom actually told me that she loves their sandwiches but I just couldn't get beyond the rat thing...go figure...

Jan 13, 2009 03:05 AM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Rich and Dianne - y'all are right.  We're are talking about it and the commercials are garnering lots of attention.  I go back to that argument of good vs. bad attention,though, and whether it really matters at all?  Would seeing this commercial (did I mention that it creeps me out, lol?) make me pick up the phone or go online to get a quote from GEICO? Would it make you...? Just throwing it out there...

Jan 13, 2009 03:11 AM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Moreover, I think about this type of marketing in our field.  Hmmm.

Would it bring an agent/broker more business...or not?

Jan 13, 2009 03:15 AM
Matt McLaughlin
The Pest Force - Myrtle Beach, SC

Hey Lanette, So I'm not the only one who wondered where this came from. I was not getting it at all. I see the money on billboards around town now. I thought this was really stupid. It might be growing on me though. I feel like someone is starring at me right now, what is it? Its the money I could be saving at GEICO. I'm not with GEICO but you are so you shouldn't have to worry about the money looking at you with a blank stare.

Apr 24, 2009 01:45 AM