GEICO’s iconic green lizard, the Gecko, has become one of the company’s most recognizable spokes animals. In addition, it is considered the most successful insurance mascot in history.
The GEICO Gecko was created in 1999 and has been a major part of the company’s advertising campaign for over two decades. It has been voted America’s favorite mascot and has remained relevant for a long time.
The History of the Gecko
The Geico Gecko has starred in over 150 commercials since 1999 and is one of the most recognizable mascots in advertising. In addition, his charming ways have helped him win the hearts of many Americans.
The GEICO Gecko is a friendly brand ambassador for GEICO who travels the country telling people how to save money on car insurance. He’s a natural fit for the company and has helped it become a household name.
Despite the Gecko’s success, he has faced some issues. For instance, in 2015, GEICO nearly had to find a new voice for the gecko. This was due to a dispute with Jake Wood, who had been voicing the GEICO gecko for over ten years.
The Gecko’s Voice
The Gecko is GEICO’s longest-running mascot, and he’s been featured in over 150 commercials. He’s a talkative character that helps us learn about insurance options.
He’s also been credited with helping the company win numerous awards for its commercials. One of his most famous lines is, “Fifteen minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.”
English actor Jake Wood has voiced the Gecko for the past few years. He gives him a Cockney accent, which is an accent associated with working-class people in London.
Wood has a long history with acting and has appeared in many television shows and movies. He is also known for his role as Max Branning on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. He also competed in the British version of Dancing With the Stars, called Strictly Come Dancing, with dancer Janette Manrara in 2014.
The Gecko’s Accent
For the past 20 years, Geico’s mascot, the Gecko, has been one of the most iconic spokes characters in advertising. In addition, his British accent and quick wit have made him a favorite of viewers.
In recent years, the voice of the Gecko has changed. The original singer, Kelsey Grammer, has been replaced by Jake Wood.
While the change was somewhat controversial, it has been well-received by both fans and the company. Ultimately, the difference is helping Geico stay relevant and popular in a constantly changing landscape.
The Gecko’s accent has evolved in several iterations since he first appeared in 1999, but his most recent iteration is still very much in line with his roots. Unlike the stiff British accent of previous iterations, his current accent is more a blend of Cockney London and Australian English.
The Gecko’s Look
Geckos are a group of reptiles that share many traits. For example, they have unblinking eyes without eyelids, suction pads on their toes, and long, flexible tongues.
They have a range of colors that can change to blend in with their surroundings. Some geckos can even change their color to match the temperature of their environment.
Geckos are omnivorous and feed on various insects, seeds, and grains. They eat their food by swallowing it.
During this process, their head tends to sway from side to side as they move from the mouth to the stomach. This is entirely natural and helps the lizard pass the food from their throat to their stomach.
In the wild, geckos live about five years, but some species are popular as pets and can survive much longer. Leopard geckos, for example, can live up to 20 years.
