Farmers Insurance has launched an interactive site, www.universityoffarmers.com, featuring irreverent stop-motion educational films produced by ShadowMachine, the producers of Robot Chicken. Puppets educate visitors to the site on their auto, home, life and business insurance needs. The campaign focuses on the in-depth training agents receive at the actual University of Farmers in Agoura Hills, Calif., rated the No. 1 training program in the insurance category. Each of the scenarios reveals a simple truth. A well-educated insurance agent will get you the best insurance policy for your needs and more than likely save you money in the process.
The site features impressive, interactive classrooms, each with its own quiz and a variety of surprise elements. On the TV screens in each classroom, hilarious stop-motion educational films inform and entertain. Easy menu navigation encourages consumers to share content on Facebook and Twitter. The character who ties all the creative together is esteemed Professor Nathaniel Burke. Tough but fair, loveable yet gruff, he is played by well-known character actor J.K. Simmons. Appearing in three spots, Professor Nathaniel Burke teaches agents with larger-than-life dramatizations that take place at a faux representation of the University.
Click on the image below to play the Le Petit Desastre video in YouTube
Click on the image below to play the Dude of Hazards video in YouTube
Click on the image below to play the Meet the Wongs video in YouTube
Click on the image below to play the Cat Burglar video in YouTube
Three television commercials introduce TV viewers to the University and its inhabitants.
A wave runner is caught on fire in a tree. Agents are quizzed and challenged by Professor Burke. Click on the image below to play the Water Craft ad in YouTube
A house is full of water due to frozen pipes. Agents diagnose the situation and give suggestions. Click on the image below to play the Frozen Pipes ad in YouTube
An Autoboatome (all three in one) tests agents on why bundling policies is a good idea and a great way to save money. Click on the image below to play the Autoboatome ad in YouTube
Credits
The University campaign was developed at RPA by chief creative officer David Smith, group creative director Pat Mendelson, associate creative directors Laura Hauseman and Tom Hamling, senior art director David Mesfin, copywriters Tylynne Mccauley and Chris Juhas, user experience lead Pramit Nairi, user experience architect Nuzi Barkatally, agency executive producer Gary Paticoff, agency senior producer Selena Pizarro, broadcast production assistant Whitney Young, program director Dave Brezinski, assistant producer Stephanie Wong.
Filming for the site film was shot by director Jason Zada via Tool of North America with executive producer Matt Bonin, executive producer Brian Latt, executive digital producer Dustin Callif, digital producer Karen Ibenthal, associate digital producer Jesse Pugh, interactive design director Jeff Levine, lead developer Jason Nickel, producer Steven Steiner, and sound designer Drasko Vucevic.
Telecine was produced at Company 3, Santa Monica, by colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld and executive producer Rhubie Jovanov. Sound was produced at Lime Studios by audio post mixer Rohan Young and executive producer Jessica Locke.
Educational Film Animation was produced at Shadow Machine by director Jed Hathaway, executive producer Corey Campodonico, producer Victoria Howard, production manager Joe Grzeskowiak, director of photography Jeff Gardner, animation director Harry Chaskin, art director Adam Lawrence, puppet supervisor Rob Ronning and editor Garrett Elkins. Sound was mixed at Margarita Mix, Los Angeles, by mixer Konrad Piñon and sound designer Hunter Curra. Music was produced at Hamhock Studios by composer Shawn Patterson.
The television commercials were filmed by director Martin Granger via Moxie Pictures with director of photography Russell Carpenter, executive producer Lizzie Schwartz, production designer Ken Averill.
Editor was Haines Hall at Spot Welders with assistant editor Paul Sabater, executive producer David Glean. Telecine was done at Company 3 by colorist Stefan Sonnenfeld, executive producer Rhubie Jovanov.
Visual effects were produced at The Mill, Los Angeles, by lead Flame artist Billy Higgins, Flame assits Gavin Camp and Steve Cokonis, CG lead Gawain Liddiard, CG assist Lu Meng-Yeng, VFX producer Arielle Davis and VFX executive producer Sue Troyan. Titles were designed at Laundry! TV by creative directors Anthony Liu and PJ Richardson, executive producer Michael Bennett and producer Matthew Loranger.
Sound was produced at Lime Studios by audio post mixer Rohan Young and executive producer Jessica Locke. Music was composed by Jonathan Elias at Elias Arts with executive producer Ann Haugen and creative director Dave Gold.