Alliance to Save Energy's Humorous But 'Shocking' ' Static Electricity House' TV PSA Named Best 10 TV Commercials in World
Producers of "World's Greatest Commercials," which will air on CBS-TV May 11, 9 PM (EDST), named the Alliance to Save Energy's "Static Electricity House" television public service advertisement (PSA) on home energy efficiency one of the top 10 commercials in the world.
"While computer and software technologies are portrayed by the media in exciting ways, the technologies that make our homes, air conditioners, appliances, windows, and electronics energy efficient don't get the same 'sexy' treatment," notes Alliance Communications and Marketing Director Rozanne Weissman. "And, energy efficiency reduces monthly energy bills, increases home comfort, and decreases pollution-without daily tech support," she said.
The Alliance and its ad agency, DDB, used humor to "break through the media clutter" in a "Shocking" creative way as the TV spot focused on consumer angst over energy bills. "Static Electricity House" highlights a family's wild experiment to cope with high energy prices by powering their home with static electricity. It requires all family members, including the dog, to keep rubbing their wool socks on the carpeting to keep lights on and power functioning.
But that approach has many humorous drawbacks-from a burning carpet to having all their hair stand on end. There are many other "shocks" in the process. And then, of course, a wool sock clings to the back of the dad's jacket as he goes off to work, briefcase in hand.
But the family discovers they didn't have to go to such extremes when simple energy efficiency approaches and ENERGY STAR-labeled products (symbol for energy efficiency) are better solutions to reduce their energy prices, energy use, and pollution.
"Static" has won a number of national and international awards and other critical acclaim. When it was launched, ADWEEK featured the PSA as one of the "creative best" spots of December 2000, and adcritic.com termed it "one of the new and cool" new TV commercials among well-known brands. In January 2002 "Best Commercials" shows on ABC and BBC also included the Alliance's PSA.
The advertising agency that produced the Budweiser frogs and hot and much-quoted "Wha-a-a-s-s-s Up" (What's Up) TV commercials, DDB, produced the Alliance's TV spot.
