The country’s school kids need a lesson in sucking up it seems. There was a time when an apple a day might grease the wheels of a good grade but today’s teachers are upping the respect stakes. At least that’s the story behind a new : 30 second TV spot starring Whiplash the Taco John’s spokes monkey.

Conceived and produced by Kerker, Minneapolis, “Straight A Burrito” is now playing throughout July and August and features Whiplash, the 20-year old Capuchin monkey going back to school to set a good example for kids trying to butter up their teacher. While redheaded Johnny’s offering of an apple receives a lukewarm reception from the class teacher, Whiplash earns enthusiastic praise for his Crunchy Chicken and Potato Burrito. As the teacher marvels over the combination of crunchy chicken and Potato Oles® and adds another gold star to Whiplash’s name on the chart, Johnny leans in to say to the monkey: “Teacher’s Pet.”

“We had a lot of fun with this spot but also a few challenges,” says Chris Preston, Executive Creative Director, Kerker. “It’s not easy to get a kid behind a school desk let alone a monkey in a sombrero when he’s surrounded by fifth graders but we did it. It’s actually a little trick photography – we shot Whiplash with the kid in front and behind, and then his other classmates separately. You learn something new on every shoot…”

“Straight A Burrito” is the latest in a lineup of highly successful and entertaining TV spots featuring Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey. Whiplash is now in his fourth year as spokes monkey for the Taco John’s brand, known for its distinctive West-Mex® menu.

CREDITS: CD: Chris Preston AD/ACD: Karl Madcharo AD/CW: Terry Thomas Sr. Broadcast Producer: Anne Swarts Production Company: Sugar Films, Dallas, TX Director: Chris Smith Exec. Producer: Tony Miglini Edit house/Editor: Fischer Edit/Brian Slater Sound Design/Composer: Modern Music/Bryan Hanna Color Correction: Pixel Farm/Dave Sweet

About Kerker

Kerker is a full-service agency providing advertising, public relations, direct marketing and promotion, interactive, design and research for a broad range of local, national and global clients. Kerker clients include Johnsonville Sausage, Taco John’s, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Piper Jaffray, Pure Fishing, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., United Sugars, Bremer Financial Corp., Mall of America, Minnesota Zoo, and the YMCA. For more information about Kerker, visit www.kerker.com. Kerker is a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world’s largest network of independent marketing and communications firms.

About Taco John’s

Taco John’s operates and franchises 425 quick-service restaurants in 25 states. Independently owned and operated, the business opened its first restaurant in 1969. Taco John’s prides itself on serving generous portions, menu items prepared fresh to order, high quality ingredients and special West Mex® recipes, seasonings and sauces. Through the end of 2006, Taco John’s has achieved 11 consecutive years of same store sales increases. For more information, visit www.tacojohns.com.