Comparethemeerkat’s Aleksandr and Sergei returns to Aussie screens in new spot via VCCP
Comparethemeerkat’s Aleksandr Orvol and his sidekick Sergei have both returned in the brand’s latest spot ‘Tough Decisions’ via VCCP Australia.
The popularity of Australia’s favourite meerkat, Aleksandr has continued to surpass all expectations as the furry star – complete with signature velvet robe of burgundy – has rocketed towards 100,000 Facebook likes in Australia alone.
Exceeding one million views on his Australian YouTube channel also, it’s official that meerkat madness has hit Australian shores. Consumer love for the cheeky comparethemarket.com.au mascot follows the brand’s line of hilarious TVCs featuring Orlov and Sergei.
The latest instalment has launched on Australian screens and urges consumers to compare insurance options prior to the health insurance price hike from 1 April 2014. The comedic TVC shows Aleksandrs’ head of IT and head tea maker, Sergei, suffering from stress as Australians mistakenly turn to comparethemeerkat.com.au rather thancomparethemarket.com.au to compare health insurance policies. Rather than providing Sergei with another set of hands, Aleksandr buys a brand new ‘laptop-amabob’ to enable him to work all day and all night.
Says Aleksandr: “Sergei is slow, like old slug. Hopefullys new laptop-amabob will make him fast and efficient, like burrowing dung beetle!”
Just over a year on from its Australian launch in February 2013, comparethemarket.com.au has gone from strength to strength. Its website received nearly 3 million visits in the past 12 months and the brand is now the leading online aggregator for health insurance comparison by brand market share.
Says Grant Waldeck, spokesperson at comparethemarket.com.au: “A large portion of our success is thanks to the engagement and popularity of Aleksandr and Sergei. The hilarity that their personas bring to Australian screens is second to none and the quality of the production distinguishes us in a busy online aggregation market. The impact of the TVC is apparent in the number of enquiries we receive after the TVCs went to air. We’re delighted that we’ve found such a great connection with the Australian market.”