GEICO insurance company said the gecko lizard character it uses for advertising will promote the cause of zoo conservation.
The Chevy Chase, Md.-based auto insurer, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the San Diego Zoo announced the kick-off today of a nationwide tour featuring a live gecko exhibit, the GEICO Gecko costume character, and a series of animated television commercials.
“We are proud to support the work of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums,” said GEICO Chairman Tony Nicely.
He said the British-accented lizard is “a powerful spokescreature for our auto and motorcycle insurance products. Now he's taking on an additional assignment to help promote the wildlife conservation work done by zoos and aquariums across America. We know he'll be great at spreading the word.”
The traveling GEICO Gecko exhibit will be located from Jan. 5-Feb. 17 in the San Diego Zoo's Children's Zoo, featuring giant day geckos, a unique group of lizards native to Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands.
GEICO and the zoo groups' announcement said visitors will have the chance to meet the GEICO Gecko costume character at the zoo every weekend the exhibit is there.
It was explained that a three-year partnership between GEICO and the AZA will involve taking the traveling GEICO Gecko exhibit to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums across the United States. At each stop GEICO will make a contribution to wildlife conservation.
GEICO will also be a lead sponsor for AZA's Earth Day Party for the Planet. The GEICO Gecko is already being used to help zoos and aquariums, with television and radio appearances highlighting his wild cousins.
AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy noted, “The power of the GEICO Gecko to reach the public combined with the power of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to reach 157 million visitors every year is a winning combination. We are grateful that GEICO has made such a major commitment to wildlife conservation.”
GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, and AZA is a nonprofit organization with more than 200 accredited members dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation.
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