Louie the Fly – back from the grave before you know it
Dr Mumbo salutes Mortein for appearing to adopt the Heinz Salad Cream strategy over the weekend.
For those unfamiliar, it’s an approach taken by brands that claim iconic status but don’t shift many units.
Heinz Salad Cream did it successfully more than a decade ago. So loud was the outcry – or rather, free PR – that the brains behind the strategy was named marketer of the year in the UK.
And it looks to Dr Mumbo like the same’s in store for Louie The Fly, the face of Mortein for more than half a century.
The Sun-Herald reports that Louie will be killed off for good in its next ad.
The good folk of Mortein will hopefully forgive Dr Mumbo for his cynicism when he fully expects Louie to be saved “by popular demand”.
Expect the Facebook campaign to save him to start any moment…. now.
9.37am update:
Ping! a press release arrives…
Sydney, Australia, 12 September 2011 – Pest control household brand Mortein has announced it is killing off its mascot of over 50 years, Louie The Fly. While Louie has done his job pestering the homes of Aussies of all ages through our TVs and newspapers, Mortein believes that Louie the Fly no longer represents what the brand stands for: a range of pest control products that are innovative and advanced.
Heading up the longest continuously running campaign in television history and one of the most-loved icons, Louie The Fly is a household name that was created in Australia in 1957 by writer and cartoonist Geoff Morgan Pike, and in the same year the famous ‘Louie The Fly’ jingle was written by renowned Australian author Bryce Courtenay. At one point Louie even had his own regular spin-off cartoon strip in an Australian newspaper.
Chris Tedesco, Marketing Director at Reckitt Benckiser, owner of Mortein, said, “It was a hard decision, but Mortein has decided to kill off Louie The Fly once and for all. Mortein has advanced throughout the years and we believe it’s time our face did as well. Mortein now kills cockroaches, spiders, mosquitoes, ants, silverfish and many more pests. In fact, Mortein is not just about killing a bigger range of bugs, but has continued to innovate beyond fly sprays and we feel Louie can no longer showcase the advancements of the complete Mortein range.”
Actor Ross Higgins, who has provided the distinctive voice of Louie since the 1950s, said, “Nothing ever lasts forever; it is a sad farewell to an iconic and loveable character. I guess Louie just finally ran out of lives but he can be proud of a very good innings.”
Over 90% of Australians recognise Louie and know the ‘Louie the Fly’ jingle. To enable consumers to stay connected to Louie, Mortein has created a Louie the Fly Facebook page – www.louiethefly.com.au.
The new adverts for the upcoming pest season are planned to focus on the high-tech nature of Mortein products.
Dislike!! Louie has been apart of my childhood – don’t kill him off!
Possibly not the most original idea, but why not make it into a game where people can ‘kill’ louie online in a manner of their choosing with the most popular being made into a video – could be a great vehicle to introduce people to the new ‘advanced’ Mortein products?
Agree, maybe not original and perhaps predictable (saved due to popular demand), but looks like they are doing ok with it on the FB page. Taking a light hearted approach, should achieve their goals.
A similar tactic to Napisan wanting to sponsor The White House. Seems like RB’s flavour of the month is to come out with ridiculous ideas and let the consumers do the talking.
Angry Fly ‘Louie’ game spin off perhaps??
looks like a PR campaign cooked up by an ad agency.
Iconic campaign, strong brand and ambassador, 54 years of success, public affection and……they get rid of it? And I thought suicide was illegal….
I will never buy Mortein again if they get rid of louie! Boo to the new ads…..
Often what looks like a ‘clever marketing ploy’ is just a great big mistake – usually in the name of modernising the brand.
Louie is/was one of Australia’s few advertising properties that could build a brand AND give a tactical message. (Click on my name to see an article I wrote about this).
Don’t kill Louie. He deserves to see out his days in style.
Don’t kill our Australian icon leave him be his been around for many year and should remain with us for ever he is and aussie icon so come on guys please leave louie with us here in Australia louie you rock hope you get to stay 🙂
You will never come up with a better mascot. Mortein is famous for Louie. He is the face of Mortein. Come to your sences
Leave Louie alone why fix something that isn’t broken.
Please save Louie as he is a part of Australian history
So many ads are boring! We all love Louis the Fly. Let him live!.
he has been the part of more than one generation’s TV viewing history
PS. I’ll change brands also.
There is nothing wrong with Louie
But there seems to be with the product if after all these years Mortein did not kill him?
maybe this is the reason the company feel the need for the promotion
for if it does not kill Louie why would we buy it ?
regards milly
save Louie the fly, kill of Mortein’s marketing manager instead
NO NO NO PLEASE DON’T KILL OFF LOUIE THE FLY
SAVE LOUIE THE FLY
My children and I have enjoyed watching Loui since he first came on & now my children have their own families plus my two Great Grandchildren will miss seeing our beloved Louie.
If we lose Louie”‘ Mortein will lose our custom too.”‘
SAVE SAVE SAVE LOUIE It’s Louie that has helped remember the name of MORTIEN. Regards Carol
save Louie the fly, kill of Mortein’s marketing manager instead
1. Carol Your comment is awaiting moderation.
29 Sep 11
8:20 pm
NO NO NO PLEASE DON’T KILL OFF LOUIE THE FLY
SAVE LOUIE THE FLY
My children and I have enjoyed watching Loui since he first came on & now my children have their own families plus my two Great Grandchildren will miss seeing our beloved Louie.
If we lose Louie”‘ Mortein will lose our custom too.”‘
SAVE SAVE SAVE LOUIE It’s Louie that has helped remember the name of MORTIEN. Regards Carol
Yes I agree Save Louie the fly and take off Morteins Marketing Manager,
NO NO NO PLEASE DON’T KILL OFF OUR BELOVED LOUIE THE FLY
I TOO WIL NOT BE BUYING MORTEIN WITH OUT LOUIE
Im older than Louie and im not ready to be bumped off !
Dont kill good old louie off, he is an icon. I remember singing to the add when i was little.
Don’t kill him off you idiots.
Mortine is famous because of Louie the fly.
I have been watching Louie the fly since i was a kid.
I’m 27 now.
SAVE LOUIE
Save Louie you morons . He’s an Aussie icon !
loie the fly is mortein. without him mortein is nothing so why would we bother to buy something that is nothing.
KILL OFF THE MARKETING MANAGER INSTEAD
Don’t kill Louie off, he is an Australia Icon. I remember singing the tune as a kid.
Come on Mortein ! where is your Loyalty to Louie he is the icon which made your company memorable also have you thought that without louie would consumers have chosen mortein.
no please keep louie the fly , is part of our day and always cheers me up!
we like Louie the fly, why loose such an icon?
keep Louie the Fly, such an icon!
why change something that works, We love Louie the Fly
Such an icon, it cheers me up every time Louie the Fly comes up on the screen!