The poop on animal ads.
Are advertisers barking up the right tree when it comes to branding with critters? For better or worse, animals in advertising always seem to become inextricably linked with the brand they represent. How can you separate the gecko from Geico? Or Duke, the talking Golden Retriever from Bush’s Baked Beans? Or the Chihuahua from Taco Bell?
I wonder if the lasting impression these campaigns make is the result of carefully planned strategy, or simply because a cute creature has caught our attention. Do these animals make you want to purchase what they are selling? I know when I see a Chihuahua, my mouth waters a little.
If we were to replace an animal mascot with a human celebrity, all sorts of opinions would immediately form based on that person’s history and reputation. Spokesanimals have no histories; their images are not splashed across the covers of tabloids. They’re a safe bet. (Except maybe that Aflac duck.)
I would be curious to know if the spokesanimal approach leads to significant ROI. I’m sure they have some sort of impact, because we see animals in advertising time and time again. I like when animals represent brands sometimes, but this game is just going too far.
Tagged with animal, brand, dog