Why does the Geico gekko have a Southern English accent?

[her209]

Am I supposed to believe its more sophisticated or something?

 

[StevenYoo]

i thought he was an aussie....

 

[yankeesfan]

The GEICO gecko

The company's ads sometimes focus on its reptilian mascot, the GEICO talking gecko, created by The Martin Agency and most recently a CGI creature generated by Rhythm and Hues Studios. The gecko first appeared in 1999 during the Screen Actors Guild strike that prevented the use of live actors.[4] In the original commercial, where the gecko pleads for people to stop calling him in error, mistaking gecko for geico, he was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. In the subsequent commercials, the gecko speaks with an upper-class British accent because it would be unexpected, according to Martin Agency's Steve Bassett. In current commercials the gecko's accent is more working-class (a typical East London accent), perhaps in an effort to further "humanize" him.[5] "As (computer animation) got better and as we got to know the character better, we did a few things," says Steve Bassett, creative director at The Martin Agency. "We wanted to make him a little more guy-next-door. And he looks a lot more real than he's looked before."[4]

wikipedia

 

[SoulAssassin]

worst. commercials. ever.

 

[Mo0o]

I prefer the caveman commercials. I still want to try roast duck with mango salsa

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
worst. commercials. ever.

i like the caveman commercials.

edit: beat me to it!! damn it.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: yankeesfan
The GEICO gecko

The company's ads sometimes focus on its reptilian mascot, the GEICO talking gecko, created by The Martin Agency and most recently a CGI creature generated by Rhythm and Hues Studios. The gecko first appeared in 1999 during the Screen Actors Guild strike that prevented the use of live actors.[4] In the original commercial, where the gecko pleads for people to stop calling him in error, mistaking gecko for geico, he was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. In the subsequent commercials, the gecko speaks with an upper-class British accent because it would be unexpected, according to Martin Agency's Steve Bassett. In current commercials the gecko's accent is more working-class (a typical East London accent), perhaps in an effort to further "humanize" him.[5] "As (computer animation) got better and as we got to know the character better, we did a few things," says Steve Bassett, creative director at The Martin Agency. "We wanted to make him a little more guy-next-door. And he looks a lot more real than he's looked before."[4]

wikipedia

Okay, but I don't see how that relates to very many Americans.

 

[BrianH1]

thats like saying im so rich, i think i will just stay seated.

 

[geckojohn]

i wonder if they do it to make it stand out different

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
i thought he was an aussie....

I always thought it was a Cockney accent

 

[oldman420]

I think that they are aliens from the planet mercury trying to throw us off by "It is known in some circles that the mercurians have a British accent" trying to infiltrate geico to undermine it from within.



now where did I put my medication they probably hid that too:-(

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: her209

Originally posted by: yankeesfan
The GEICO gecko

The company's ads sometimes focus on its reptilian mascot, the GEICO talking gecko, created by The Martin Agency and most recently a CGI creature generated by Rhythm and Hues Studios. The gecko first appeared in 1999 during the Screen Actors Guild strike that prevented the use of live actors.[4] In the original commercial, where the gecko pleads for people to stop calling him in error, mistaking gecko for geico, he was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. In the subsequent commercials, the gecko speaks with an upper-class British accent because it would be unexpected, according to Martin Agency's Steve Bassett. In current commercials the gecko's accent is more working-class (a typical East London accent), perhaps in an effort to further "humanize" him.[5] "As (computer animation) got better and as we got to know the character better, we did a few things," says Steve Bassett, creative director at The Martin Agency. "We wanted to make him a little more guy-next-door. And he looks a lot more real than he's looked before."[4]

wikipedia

Okay, but I don't see how that relates to very many Americans.

Americans like British accents.

I like the commercials. I think they're funny.

Lately I've been hearing a radio ad where the gecko discusses why Pennsylvania is called the keystone state. Are there similar ads in other states?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: mugs

Americans like British accents.

I like the commercials. I think they're funny.

Lately I've been hearing a radio ad where the gecko discusses why Pennsylvania is called the keystone state. Are there similar ads in other states?

yup. in texas the gecko says it feels a little bit bigger. (because everything is bigger in texas)

 

[zoiks]

Most annoying commercials ever.

 

[Eos]

The gecko sounds like one of the travelers from the tv show "Globe Trekker". Ian, I believe is his name.

 

[FoBoT]

are you suggesting gecko's migrate?

 

[bersl2]

I liked the old voice better.

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: bersl2
I liked the old voice better.

frasier's?

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
I still want to try roast duck with mango salsa

Same here, glad I am not the only one!