Muppets Cut Up for Dippin' Strips

http://www.adweek.com/aw/creative/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000779018

By Mae Anderson

Kermit and Miss Piggy star in a return engagement for Pizza Hut.

NEW YORK The Muppets will star in a Pizza Hut spot by BBDO breaking just before the Super Bowl kickoff.

The ad shows Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and other Muppets clowning and enjoying Pizza Hut’s new Dippin’ Strips pizza.

Janet Lyons was executive creative director and copywriter on the spot for the New York agency. Chris Curry was associate creative director and art director. Tommy Troncoso also served as copywriter, and Monica Victor was executive producer.

The commercial is part of an estimated $20 million campaign for Dippin’ Strips pizza. The effort includes other TV spots that began airing Jan. 23, as well as print, radio and online ads.

This is the second year Pizza Hut has enlisted the Muppets for a pre-game spot. Last year, they starred along with Jessica Simpson in an ad touting the Dallas-based chain’s 4ForAll Pizza. The client has advertised in a pre-kickoff spot on the Super Bowl for nine years.

Pizza Hut spent about $225 million on advertising in 2003, according to Nielsen Monitor-Plus.