TABASCO^® Mosquito TV commercial creates Super Bowl buzz

The commercial features actor Steve Monroe, currently guest starring on "Home Improvement." Playing the part of a twenty-something guy sitting on a rustic porch, he eats slice after slice of pizza on which he liberally splashes TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce. In fact, he empties two bottles in the process. Then along comes a mosquito which bites him on the leg. The mosquito flies off -- and explodes in mid-air -- a great visual metaphor for the fire power behind TABASCO^®. The man smiles smugly.

Rumor has it that Monroe, who has co-starred in three movies and guest starred on several television shows, consumed about 40 pizzas and countless bottles of TABASCO Sauce during the 16-hour film shoot for the commercial. Obviously, he's a pretty loyal fan. In fact, he says he can't believe how many people have recognized him as a result of the first limited showing of the commercial. They stop him on the street and in bars and restaurants, calling him the "TABASCO guy" and asking him to autograph their bottles of TABASCO Sauce.

Created by ad agency DDB Needham in Dallas, TX, the commercial has won several advertising awards this year including a National Addy, Regional Tops, London International Award and a Gold Lion at the International Advertising Festival in Cannes - the most prestigious award the ad industry has to offer. It also won a Silver from the New York Art Director's Club and was showcased in the Communication Arts Advertising Annual.

Incidentally, advertising copywriter Galen Greenwood claims "no mosquitos were harmed during the production of this tv commerical." Whew, thank goodness for that. Needless to say, we're pretty excited by all the hoopla. Tell us what you think about the commercial at the TABASCO^® message board.

The Inside Story - The Making of the "Mosquito" Commercial