Masculine guy in insurance commercial

[Stagger Lee]

Progressive insurance has lately been airing commercials with this masculine kind of ****y guy as the pitchman character. It's been said many times how TV portrays males especially white males as bumbling idiots and losers. I'm not sure what to make of this character. He is somewhat comical but also somewhat cool and confident. I like the character but I'm not sure what sterotype it is portraying.

http://www.progressive.com/commercials/jeans.aspx

Here is a NYTimes article explaining the character: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/business/media/01adco.html. He almsot seems like a PUA pitching insurance rather than sex.

The new character is a mysterious man who is nameless for now. He is being referred to by executives of Progressive and its creative agency, Arnold Worldwide, as the Messenger. The character, played by John Jenkinson, is an off-center nomad with outfits that evoke “Magnum, P.I.” or “Starsky and Hutch” and the kind of mustache worn by men in sleazy films of the 1970s.

 

[ThreeStorms]

I like the character but I'm not sure what sterotype it is portraying.

70's porn actor??

 

[Stagger Lee]

Progressive has always aired feminist/whitemalebashing-type commercials...most of the white male actors portrayed in their commercials are wispy, homosexual-leaning men...only the black male actors (who, BTW, are never portayed solo...they're always cast with a wife) appear to have any sense of masculinity...

The white male character with the "sleazy mustache" deviates from the typical Progressive whitemalebashing campaigns, but he comes across as having to be smooth and PUA-like...he still seems to be portrayed as subservient to the chick buying jeans or the black couple looking for mattresses.

Someone told me that the founder of Progressive is gay, so that would explain a lot about their advertising.

This is the feedback I was looking for and you're right this character is different from other characters and how white male characters are usually portrayed in Progressive commercials. I just wasn't sure what the angle was. Was it subtlely taking a jab at the white male or or not? I'd say it is but at least the character has some masculine appeal and is entertaining.

I'm not surprised at all if the founder of Progressive is gay. In the couple buying a matress commercial, the Messenger character winks at the black guy giving the suggestion the character might be bi or gay. A lot of insurance companies seem to be based out of Columbus Ohio which is the capital of Ohio. The insurance companies offer good jobs to a lot of ding bat girls and probably gays with just a HS diploma. There are a lot of gays here and the females fit the bill of being entitled and worthless.

 

[Iceberg]

This is the feedback I was looking for and you're right this character is different from other characters and how white male characters are usually portrayed in Progressive commercials. I just wasn't sure what the angle was. Was it subtlely taking a jab at the white male or or not? I'd say it is but at least the character has some masculine appeal and is entertaining.

I'm not surprised at all if the founder of Progressive is gay. In the couple buying a matress commercial, the Messenger character winks at the black guy giving the suggestion the character might be bi or gay. A lot of insurance companies seem to be based out of Columbus Ohio which is the capital of Ohio. The insurance companies offer good jobs to a lot of ding bat girls and probably gays with just a HS diploma. There are a lot of gays here and the females fit the bill of being entitled and worthless.

I work in advertising. As in, I write the ads you see on TV and read in magazines, etc. And I gotta say, it's not that deep.

When you're in a casting session, you're picking the person with the best look, and the best read to portray the idea (or commercial).

The client (Progressive) isn't there, they're not telling you "pick someone gayer" or "make him wink at the black guy." The client will sometimes tell you to use a minority actor, because, well...money is green, and they want to entice the wallets of all colors of people.

Basically, when you create an idea, you're just trying to do something funny and memorable. And that's it. That's what cuts through the normal clutter on TV and makes people like you remember a spot enough to write about it on a forum like this.

It's not as deep as bashing a particular race, portraying an anti-male stereotype. If you sat in any of our meetings, you'd see that we're not capable of anything that even comes close to this type of conspiracy.

Advertising is an evil, evil business. But I wouldn't accuse us of being deep thinkers.

 

[Stagger Lee]

All that may be true but it can't be just pure happenstance that Progressive always has certain types of commercials as mentioned and for one instance State Farm's commercials are always avoiding these stereotypes. The executives at Progressive know what they are looking for and are shopping for and approving these types of commercials.

It can't be an accident that they are about the only major insurance company with ads like this. Media executives actually always have been pretty deep and concerned with what image they are portraying and how their potential customer base will perceive it. It's no accident that media never offends the sensibilities of women or any minorities.

 

[user43770]

It can't be an accident that they are about the only major insurance company with ads like this. Media executives actually always have been pretty deep and concerned with what image they are portraying and how their potential customer base will perceive it. It's no accident that media never offends the sensibilities of women or any minorities.

Women and minorities would create a media storm complaining of discrimination. White males don't have much to gain from such arguments. If anything, we would come out looking worse. Have you ever noticed that all of the perpetrators in home security system commercials are white males?

 

[Bible_Belt]

Have you ever noticed that all of the perpetrators in home security system commercials are white males?

Yes. And they are always dressed head to toe in black, even when attempting a break-in in broad daylight. If we're going to be sandy vaginas about everything, isn't that a racist use of the color black?

 

[n00bPimp]

Have you ever noticed that all of the perpetrators in home security system commercials are white males?

Yes. And they are always dressed head to toe in black, even when attempting a break-in in broad daylight. If we're going to be sandy vaginas about everything, isn't that a racist use of the color black?

They use black to blend in the dark moron.

 

[user43770]

They use black to blend in the dark moron.

You missed the sarcasm in his statement, bud.

 

[user43770]

Yes. And they are always dressed head to toe in black, even when attempting a break-in in broad daylight.

And they always end up running off like b1tches. Are they trying to say that white males are cowards? We should sue!

 

[Stagger Lee]

This messenger guy reminds of being a PUA. I like this character lol.

Here is takes over all the TV's on display in an electronics store to get his message out. Ballsy move:

http://youtu.be/btStKNg0qWw

Here he sort of Amogs a beta guy in a salon:

http://youtu.be/UMBfT1AB-rE


The waitress is all attracted to him and asks "Who are you?", as he's walking out "I'm just a man who loves savings..and pie". lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bntcyl3QUgc&feature=bf_prev&list=PL88208CF704D9427A&index=1

 

[synergy1]

hah i thought this thread was talking about the allstate guy. clearly, insurance companies are trying new/different things to get attention

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Sjld5yy3Q

 

[Rubirosa]

Women and minorities would create a media storm complaining of discrimination. White males don't have much to gain from such arguments. If anything, we would come out looking worse. Have you ever noticed that all of the perpetrators in home security system commercials are white males?

HaHa so true...I always noticed that in the home security commercials. I also notice that whenever Time or Newsweek runs a cover with a negative theme ("Why is America obese ?" "Why American kids are falling behind ?") the cover models are always White.

 

[Black Dog]

I have my insurance marketing confused; I came in expecting the Progressive guy with a rough voice, doing his funny skits--like doing an impression of a hot woman jogging to prove a point about car insurance

HaHa so true...I always noticed that in the home security commercials. I also notice that whenever Time or Newsweek runs a cover with a negative theme ("Why is America obese ?" "Why American kids are falling behind ?") the cover models are always White.

Any of you guys catch the commercial where the guy answers the telephone in his sink, and a black employee picks up on the other line? He says, "It's raining cold hard facts up in here,"

Sounds totally forced and awkward, kind of stupid they'd have him say that

 

[user43770]

I will tell you what I notice. I notice the media trying to constantly convince me of what is right and wrong. They are constantly bombarding me with women's rights issues, racism and homosexuality. Do not get me wrong here, I have nothing against anyone; whether it be a woman, a minority or a homosexual. I believe that the majority of my generation feels the same way. That is, we aren't racist, we aren't sexist and we aren't homophobic. So why do they treat us like we're all socially ignorant? It's like they think if it wasn't for them we would be out killing each other in the streets.

I don't know where you guys live, but I live in the south (the heart of racism, if you listened to the media) and I never see anything of the sort. Don't get me wrong, there are some bad eggs here, as I'm sure there are where you live, but not to the extent that media wants us to believe. This isn't the '60s. The media isn't as relevant as it was then. These days, the only thing the media is good for is sensationalism and party politics. I don't know about y'all, but I don't want anything to do with either.

The media (and politicians for that matter) seems to think, that if left to our own devices, we will all go crazy and not know what to do with ourselves. We are just heathens who happen to watch their network and do as they say. Is that the case? Are we just ignorant betas who need to be told what to do? I would like to think not.

 

[Stagger Lee]

I will tell you what I notice. I notice the media trying to constantly convince me of what is right and wrong. They are constantly bombarding me with women's rights issues, racism and homosexuality. Do not get me wrong here, I have nothing against anyone; whether it be a woman, a minority or a homosexual. I believe that the majority of my generation feels the same way. That is, we aren't racist, we aren't sexist and we aren't homophobic. So why do they treat us like we're all socially ignorant? It's like they think if it wasn't for them we would be out killing each other in the streets.

I don't know where you guys live, but I live in the south (the heart of racism, if you listened to the media) and I never see anything of the sort. Don't get me wrong, there are some bad eggs here, as I'm sure there are where you live, but not to the extent that media wants us to believe. This isn't the '60s. The media isn't as relevant as it was then. These days, the only thing the media is good for is sensationalism and party politics. I don't know about y'all, but I don't want anything to do with either.

The media (and politicians for that matter) seems to think, that if left to our own devices, we will all go crazy and not know what to do with ourselves. We are just heathens who happen to watch their network and do as they say. Is that the case? Are we just ignorant betas who need to be told what to do? I would like to think not.

You bring up some good points. I agree even if the media didn't continue to push the agendas you mentioned, most of the populace would be fair minded and treat others fairly regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation etc.

I'd argue the reason the media keep pushing the agenda is not because without the constant brainwashing the mainstream would be so unfair to other groups, but because the media don't want fair. The media wants preferential treatment for these other groups at the mainstreams' expense. That's the reason they keep the brainwashing going. If the propaganda and brainwashing stopped then truth and fairness would naturally seep back in, so they got to keep presenting it for it to maintain.

 

[BigJimbo]

Would you boys define "white male"? Seriously. What is that term to Americans? Is a Greek guy white? A Syrian white? None of you could figure out a Greek from a Syrian. Is a Mexican of pure European blood white (10% of Mexico)? Is a Jew white? Are Southern Italians white?

 

[user43770]

Would you boys define "white male"? Seriously. What is that term to Americans? Is a Greek guy white? A Syrian white? None of you could figure out a Greek from a Syrian. Is a Mexican of pure European blood white (10% of Mexico)? Is a Jew white? Are Southern Italians white?

You know good and well who we're talking about, Jimbo. And I don't care to hear anything you have to say about Americans. Have a nice day in Communist Russia.

 

[Serialized3]

You guys worry about too much irrelevant, weaksauce BS

 

[user43770]

You guys worry about too much irrelevant, weaksauce BS

I'm an introverted individual. What can I say? I like to think about stuff.