As part of our countdown to Advertising Week 2016 in New York City and this year’s Madison Avenue Walk of Fame, we’re profiling the winners from the past 12 years; here are the winners from 2012.
Flo
Brand Represented: Progressive
Year Introduced: 2008
Elected to join the 2012 Walk of Fame was none other than the perky, popular pitchwoman for Progressive (say that 10 times fast), Flo. Created by Arnold Worldwide and portrayed by Stephanie Courtney, Flo’s transparency and upbeat attitude have made her a pop culture mainstay and expert on all things car insurance-related since her 2008 debut.
In her winner’s statement, Flo remained modest about her work, “I’m just a girl with a white apron and a blue headband who tries to make car insurance a little easier to understand.” Two years after nabbing the Walk of Fame nod, she celebrated a milestone of her own: her 100th ad for Progressive.
Maxwell
Brand Represented: GEICO
Year Introduced: 2010(ish)
Right alongside the success of GEICO’s brand mascots the Gecko and the Cavemen was Maxwell, a talking pig from the Martin Agency. While it isn’t fully clear which year he appeared on the scene, Maxwell’s first commercial spot was a nod to the famous nursery rhythm that had him squealing “wee wee wee!”on a car ride all the way home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64cBC3IgcCw
Originally intended to be a one-time character, Maxwell held his own and grew up alongside GEICO in commercial spots where he did everything from ziplining to spoofing the TV series “Portlandia” with “Piglandia.” Inducted into the 2012 Walk of Fame with high honors, Maxwell is now all grown up and starring in the “Max Everywhere” campaign to provide helpful tips on how customers can access GEICO with ease anywhere they go.