Please note I’m not talking about celebrity endorsers. Kristen what’s-her-name from Modern Family extolling the virtues of some face cream is not in character; she’s using her name and fame and great face to sell a product, and as far as I know she’s only done one such ad. Contrariwise, Milana Vayntrub, appearing as Lily Adams in the AT&T commercials is exactly what I mean. She’s appearing as a named character (“Lily Adams”) not playing off her modest fame as a comedienne (her real name is never used in the spots); there are at least half a dozen ads in which she appears as the character; and each ad has a brief storyline.
Milana/Lily is my own nominee, by the way. She is mildly hot but funny as hell, and the ads are effective building brand awareness. I’ve seen the Kristen ads several times but don’t recall what the product is, but the AT&T ads stick in my mind even though I’m quite unlikely to buy their service.
But that’s just me. What are you favorite commercial characters, and why?
(And no, I’m not interested in ads you hate. Let’s talk about things we’re positive about and see how that goes. That said, I’m not the boss of you, so do what you will.)
They made a bunch of these with different actors, not as spokesmen but as characters:
There was a “Western” one with a Gary-Cooperesque actor I can’t remember, a “Greek Millionaire” one with Caesar Romero, and (I think) a “Powerful Matriarch” one with Bette Davis.
I like Flo/Stephanie Courtney, too. And I think Skald is quite correct about Lily/Milana; she’s very effective. I hope AT&T is paying her the big bucks.
I’m also a fan of Captain Obvious (Brandon Moynihan). He isn’t to everyone’s taste, but he does seem to be doing the job of putting the Hotels.com name out there. (“It’s on the Internet.”) For me, he’s memorable without being annoying.
I like Jack from the Jack in the Box commercials. He’s a good mix of serious and funny. I’ll even admit that those commercials are a factor in making me favor JitB over similar burger chains.
I enjoyed the Geico cavemen for much the same reason.
Other than that… hard to say. I really don’t have feelings one way or the other about most mascots. For example, I’ll join the fanclub for the Wendy’s girl being hot, but I really don’t have any opinion about her as a character in a commercial. She’s just one more pretty girl on TV.
I kind of doubt it, if she is under contract. I mean, I know her by name and from Live Prude Girls, but I expect I’m the exception, and that her fame is based entirely on those commercials. If she’s still getting the $800/day I am told would have been usual, I’d not be surprised.
That said, I’m not the boss of you, so do what you will.)
