The Votes Are In: Flo elected to the Madison Avenue Advertising “Walk of Fame“

The popularity of Progressive’s perky insurance clerk shines again

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — —The votes have been counted, polls are closed and the nation has elected ad icon “Flo” from Progressive to the Madison Avenue Advertising “Walk of Fame.” After a three-week voting period blanketing social media, consumers chose “Flo” for the distinction over a range of other famous icons and characters, covering a century of advertising and marketing.

“I’d like to thank glitter, gummy bears, and most importantly, all my fans for their support,” said Flo. “I’m just a girl with a white apron and a blue headband who tries to make car insurance a little easier to understand. The fact that people took the time to log on and vote for me is absolutely flattering.”

This isn’t the first time that consumers have chosen Flo in an advertising icon battle. In 2011, fans voted Flo the top advertising icon in the country in a head-to-head, Entertainment Weekly competition. But Flo’s popularity doesn’t end with her victories in contests against other ad icons. She was recently named by Advertising Age as one of the “Top Ten Female Icons of All Time,” a list that included Betty Crocker, The Morton Salt Girl and Rosie the Waitress. Flo is the only icon on Ad Age’s list from the past 25 years.

“While she was born on TV, Flo’s iconic presence now extends well beyond the screen to social, mobile, games, print, radio and throughout pop culture,” said Jeff Charney, chief marketing officer at Progressive. “After nearly five years in the market and 80-plus commercials, she’s on top of her game and more relevant than ever. She’s real, confident and current. Flo isn’t trying to change who she is, she’s trying to be who she is. That’s why consumers across the board relate so well to her.”

About Progressive
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (collectively, “Progressive Insurance”) makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach us whenever, wherever and however it’s most convenient for them — online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, or in-person with a local agent.

Progressive offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles and homes. It’s the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller of motorcycle insurance and a leader in commercial auto insurance. Progressive also offers car insurance online in Australia at http://www.progressiveonline.com.au.

Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, the Snapshot Discount®, and a concierge level of claims service.

The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE:PGR.