Gary Barlow teams up with meerkats in Comparethemarket.com ad

Gary Barlow has teamed up with Comparethemarket.com’s meerkat mascots in an ad campaign, ahead of the launch of the singer’s latest album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A__RJy_HU8

A 30-second teaser spot airs on November 18 on ITV during ‘Coronation Street’ and will be followed by a second ad later in the month.

In the ad, Aleksandr Orlov – the fictional meerkat owner of Comparethemeerkat.com – approaches Barlow as he is running along the bank of Manchester’s Irwell River, and asks him to perform a song with his meerkat band at a ‘Coronation Street’ party.

Barlow agrees to the request, so long as Orlov stops following him.

Barlow’s appearance comes ahead of the release of his album called ‘Since I Saw You Last’, on 25 November.

Comparethemarket.com has sponsored ‘Coronation Street’ since 2012, when it signed a £30 million, three-year deal.

VCCP created the latest spot, which was written by Javier Romartinex, art directed by Stephen Misir, and directed by Darren Walsh through Passion Pictures. ZenithOptimedia handled the media buying and planning.

Barlow said: “Aleksandr approached me for an unusual request – watch this space to see happens.”

  Advertising, Campaign, Comparethemarket.com, Europe, Financial Services, Gary Barlow, Marketing, TV, United Kingdom, VCCP