Progressive has brought back Janice, Flo’s sister, in its latest commercial, that promotes the company’s Name Your Price tool.
The 30-second spot features Janice at a blind date, in a restaurant, showing how bored she is by scrolling idly through her phone. Her date tries to talk to her first by praising the restaurant’s Béarnaise sauce and then by asking her what she does for fun. “Not this,” she replies without even looking at him. Ignoring her impoliteness, the man tells her what he is into mostly, namely Progressive’s Name Your Price tool. Showing her his smartphone, with a photo of Flo as the insurance company’s spokesperson, he mentions that this tool helps people find coverage options based on their budget. “Flo has it, I wanted it, it’s whole thing,” he adds, interrupting his phrase as he sees Flo right in front of him. It turns out Flo showed up at their table because she is Janice’s ride. Janice then takes the opportunity to inform her sister that “this date is lame” and that the guy has pics of Flo on his phone.
Flo, created by the Boston-based agency Arnold Worldwide and portrayed by actress/comedian Stephanie Courtney, debuted on TV in 2008 and has since appeared in radio and print advertisements and web banners. In November 2014, Progressive aired its 100th advertisement featuring Flo and introduced other members of her family including her mother, father, brother (Todd), sister (Janice) and grandfather. All of these characters were also played by Courtney.
In 2011, Progressive introduced an Australian counterpart to Flo, named Kitty, played by Australian actress Holly Austin.