Zimmerman Advertising and CARFAX Bring CAR FOX Character To Life In Latest 'Show Me the CARFAX' Ads

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Show Me the CARFAX" campaign is getting animated. The latest ads for Carfax – created by Ft. Lauderdale-based Zimmerman Advertising – are designed to drive used car shoppers to reputable dealers and to build confidence with a helping hand (or paw) from a friend, the CAR FOX. For him, life is simple: all you have to do is say, "Show me the CARFAX" to know you're buying from a reputable dealer and getting the most trusted vehicle history information available.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090316/FL83593LOGO-c )

The Carfax character recently underwent a major makeover, morphing from a simple hand-held puppet in a previous Carfax ad, to an animatronic animal with an attitude.

"We found that the puppet featured in the first part of this campaign generated tremendous results for Carfax," said Zev Auerbach, Creative Partner at Zimmerman Advertising. "Dealers around the country have already embraced the CAR FOX, so we decided to make him the focus of the new ads. We've transformed him from accomplice to advocate. He's now a puppet with a purpose."

Designing the CAR FOX was no small feat. Zimmerman Advertising turned to the Legacy Effects studio, the minds behind the special effects in Ironman, Predator, and Avatar, to help get the job done. The results: an animatronic puppet that takes five people to operate.

"The 'Show Me the CARFAX' campaign is synonymous with trust and confidence," said Dick Raines, President of Carfax. "Thousands of used car dealers and millions of used car buyers have uttered the phrase over the past year. We're excited to have the CAR FOX join the Carfax team. We fully expect these new ads will help both dealers and consumers buy and sell great used cars."  

The new work breaks this week with a series of :15 and :30 TV spots that depict several comical versions of people buying used cars. Just as the buyer is about to sign on the dotted line, the CAR FOX appears and reminds the consumer to just say, "Show me the CARFAX!"

"Animated characters and advertising have gone hand in hand for decades. But unlike the Energizer Bunny or the Aflac Duck, the CAR FOX is more than an icon or a symbol. He's an advocate for smart used car shopping," said Auerbach. "He's there to make the car buying process easier for both buyers and sellers."

A car is a major purchase. Used car dealers and consumers know there's a lot on the line when it comes to finding the right one. Given the state of the economic environment and the shift to greater cost-consciousness and value, Carfax is even more valuable as used car dealers and used car shoppers try to buy and sell great used cars.

Adds Auerbach, "The CAR FOX is a great representative of Carfax and a champion of informed used car buying decisions. He stands as a reminder for the consumer to always demand a Carfax, no matter what the scenario."

About Carfax (www.carfax.com)

Millions of used car buyers and sellers each year rely on Carfax, the most trusted provider of vehicle history information. Using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) found on vehicle dashboards and title documents, Carfax instantly generates a detailed Vehicle History Report on any used car or light truck. Carfax Vehicle History Reports™ provide valuable information that helps used car buyers and sellers make better decisions. Free Carfax Vehicle History Reports are instantly available with vehicles listed on nearly every online marketplace by Carfax-subscribing dealers. For more information, ask your dealer or visit www.carfax.com.

About Zimmerman Advertising
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Zimmerman Advertising, an Omnicom Group™ company, is the country's leading national retail brand builder, and the 14th largest advertising agency in the United States according to Adweek, with more than 1,100 full-time associates and offices throughout the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta. For information on the agency, visit http://www.zadv.com.  To learn more about Jordan Zimmerman, his business philosophies and opinions, visit his blogspot: www.yousleepwhenyoudie.com

About Omnicom Group

Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. 

SOURCE Zimmerman Advertising