The GEICO Gecko: America's Icon for Auto Insurance

The GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) Gecko, the fourth largest auto insurance, seems to have become a regular with his English accent and fine manners but then what else would you expect from a Gecko who was voted America's favorite advertising icon in 2005. He is so popular he has been invited to events across the country and he has been given his own blog by GEICO. And yet, we’ve never seen him drive any type of automobile or motorcycle, so his personality must be the selling point for why people buy GEICO. He is not People stop what they are doing just to watch this guy on television and are trying to guess who does the voice. It seems that everyone has something to say about this little fellow.

The idea for this wonderful icon came about from GEICO ad agency when they learned that people often mispronounced the word “GEICO” with the word “Gecko.” The Martin Agency, GEICO’s ad agency in Richmond, Virginia put their brains together and stormed the little lizard we see today who was introduced on television in the year 1999-2000. Who would think that little Gecko is that old and has been around that long.

In current commercials the gecko's accent is more working-class, to further "humanize" him. "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."

This Gecko has come along way since his audition commercials when he was indeed his name was mispronounced Geico instead of Gecko. He has already surpassed being interviewed on television and I think he must talk about every state on the radio and how you can save on car insurance. And most recently a contest was held called the Golden Gecko for film students to submit their work.