Shrek Resonates with Children to "Be a Player"

There have been recent press reports about the demand to recall Shrek as a spokesperson encouraging children to "Be a Player -- Get up and play an hour a day."

We know this PSA will help get kids off the couch because just like all Ad Council campaigns, we did extensive testing and found that Shrek is a credible and motivating character to deliver the message of getting more physical activity.  Play (as opposed to exercise) is the concept that tests best with kids and their parents.  And who is more playful than Shrek and his friends?

Press reports have been balanced and reporters have resisted taking a point of view on the use of Shrek to encourage play.  But dig a little deeper and you'll discover that readers comments to the demands to fire Shrek reveal that they are growing frustrated by groups who would prohibit a well loved character from encouraging exercise because they have promoted certain food.

My favorite is an email we received from the mother of two boys:

Dear Sir:

I disagree with the protest to the Shrek commercial. On a daily basis in our household, I'm constantly reminding my two boys (ages six and nine) to go outside and play rather than watch TV. They usually comply with some complaining, or after their show is finished, or after a few reminders etc...Well, after they viewed the Shrek commercial, they both jumped up, turned off the TV and ran outside. They said, "Mom, Shrek said the same thing - Go out and Play an hour a day..."

Well, I am extremely excited about this new campaign and the affect on my children! Why are there not more? Finally, there is something that my kids have immediately responded to, and I'm saddened that the first article I read in the news is the ongoing conflict of this commercial. I love the impact the Shrek commercial has had on my children - please don't remove it from the air. Please make more!

Sincerely,

Martin and Jennifer Nishikawa

parents of two boys, ages six and nine

All we can say is "thanks Mom."