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Originally established for times when I needed more than 140 characters to finish a thought on marketing or media.

‘Mayhem’ the text walker: Allstate goes for LOLs in 15 seconds

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ED’S NOTE: This post reflects my interest in advertising as a marketing student. No agencies or products are endorsed. The opinions expressed here are mine and in no way reflect the opinions of my employers.

“OMG! There’s a new Mayhem commercial!” In an ad that seems almost too easy lazy, Allstate (NASDAQ: ALL) reminds us how funny it is to hear Dean Winters say, “OMG” in the new “Text Walker” spot, just uploaded to Facebook and YouTube.

I pay more attention to my OMGs and LOLs than the c-a-r-s that are about to h-i-t me.
~ Mayhem the Text Walker

 
The commercial is only 15 seconds, so there’s not much for Mayhem to say, but it’s still disturbingly accurate and engaging enough so that we stick around to the more serious call-to-action: “Shop less, get more. Make one call to an Allstate agent.”

“Text Walker” was posted on Facebook on Oct. 2. At the time of this writing, 18 hours later, it had 4,851 likes, 330 comments and 1,206 shares.

From the Facebook comments:
 

Looks like my daughter walking down the street, paying attention to NOTHING.
~ Sonja,
Facebook member

 
and
 

Meh … I love you Mayhem, but you could have done MUCH better!
~ Drew,
Facebook member

 
I agree, Drew.

As usual, there was less viewer feedback on the brand’s YouTube page. Even so, at the time of this writing, the clip had 11,530 views, 113 likes and 2 dislikes.

The lone comment from a YouTube viewer:
 

Top right corner. Who in the world names our streets?
~ ImN0tFamousYet,
YouTuber

 
Good question. You made me look, ImN0tFamousYet.After rewinding and pausing the clip, it Looks like “Text Walker” got hit on Owensmouth Street, probably named after the propmaker’s obnoxious brother.

About the Allstate YouTube Channel
(As of Oct. 3, 2011)

  • Channel Views: 409,275
  • Total Upload Views: 14,366,356
  • Joined:Feb. 28, 2006
  • Subscribers: 5,966

AGENCY:  Leo Burnett, the folks that brought us product characters such as the Marlboro Man, Jolly Green Giant, Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam.
 

* * * * * * * *

 

Why do YOU like this commercial? Or why do you hate it?

 

Tell me! (No registration required.)

 

EARLIER: Mommy! Mayhem needs a sippie cup!

 

EVEN EARLIER (AND FUNNIER): Mayhem: ‘I’m a raccoon’

 

AND EVEN EARLIER: Hot Jogger, Teen Driver and more!

 

Author: Jacqui Barrineau

Jacqui Barrineau is a writer and editor who lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., with husband Trey, a Shetland Sheepdog, and two unhelpful-but-funny cats. Her work has appeared in "So to Speak" and "Calliope," and she's a regular contributor to the flash-fiction sites Paragraph Planet and Doorknobs & Bodypaint. Once upon a time, she was the audience engagement editor at USA Today. Now she does other fun things that involve advertising, marketing and social media. The views expressed here and in other outlets are hers, not her employers'. Outside of work, she's proud to serve on the Northern Virginia Community College Marketing Advisory Committee. As a committee member, she joins industry leaders in lending their knowledge and expertise to ensure the college's Marketing curriculum is relevant and responsive to the needs of the students and the surrounding business communities.

2 thoughts on “‘Mayhem’ the text walker: Allstate goes for LOLs in 15 seconds”

Leave a comment

  1. Yvonne
    December 14, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    love love love Mayhem!!! Dean Winters YOU ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!!!!!

  2. Pingback: Latest ‘Mayhem’ commercials: No black eye for Allstate « J's Pages