A monkey running for the Whitehouse? Some might say that’s old news. But not Whiplash the Cowboy monkey, who starts his bid this month with a new campaign that promises bold new flavor and possibly even a shake up of two party politics.

That’s the story behind “Two Votes for Tacos”, a new TV campaign conceived by Taco John’s agency of record, Kerker, Minneapolis. The light-hearted spot, airing this month plays through November, strategically placed around the rising glut of primaries advertising.

The: 30 second spot features a suited-up candidate Whiplash door stepping an unsuspecting homeowner to ask for his vote. Fresh from his selection as West-Mex® Party candidate, Whiplash seated on his faithful sheepdog Ben looks on as his campaign manager introduces the homeowner to two new soft shell Taco John’s taco flavors: cilantro lime steak and chipotle chicken. If elected, the manager suggests, the new tacos will be first on Whiplash’s political agenda. Grabbing the plate, the homeowner says “I’ll Vote Twice.”
“There’s a lot of mud slinging in political advertising,” says executive creative director, Chris Preston, Kerker Minneapolis. “But none of it from our monkey. If only getting your message across and picking up votes were as fun or as easy as this we’d have a lot more interesting candidates. At the end of the day, people should vote with their gut – and we wish Whiplash every success.”

The campaign has also taken to the streets with “Vote Whiplash for El Presidente” and “Vote for Flavor” buttons and posters being distributed via Taco John’s restaurant owners into their local communities.
“Two Votes for Tacos” 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.

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.