Answer the Duck's Call!
Do you have what it takes to quack Aflac?
As you likely have heard, the insurer Aflac fired comedian Gilbert Gottfried, the voice of their Aflac duck, after he twittered remarks making light of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. According to the company’s chief marketing officer Michael Zuna, “Aflac Japan – and, by extension, Japan itself – is part of the Aflac family, and there is no place for anything but compassion and concern during these difficult times.”
Since the incident, Aflac announced it would donate 100 million yen to the International Red Cross for disaster assistance. All advertising featuring Gilbert Gottfried has been pulled. Interestingly enough, Mr. Gottfried did not play the role of the duck in Japan because the market preferred a softer quack.
This unfortunate incident is now turning into an opportunity for Aflac. Aflac is holding an open casting call and search for the new voice of their mascot. Look for prime-time commercials with a clever silent movie theme, job postings on the job site Monster and a new Web site, quackflac.com. The insurer isn’t necessarily looking for an imitation of Mr. Gottfried’s duck and is encouraging applicants to “bring their own interpretations” to the role, said a company spokesperson.
So, do you have what it takes to be the new Aflac duck? Get quackin by applying at http://quackaflac.com/
2 Responses
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Randy Says:
Can Woody apply? Although I’ve never heard Woody speak.
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Lynn Smaagaard Says:
Randy, he would be a natural! I would encourage Woody to apply!
