As the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers prepare to hustle for this year’s Super Bowl, the Big Shill — our bracket game that rewards advertising’s greatest icon — is all about Flo, the perky Progressive Insurance Girl played by actress Stephanie Courtney. That’s right: Though the Pillsbury Doughboy, Super Bowl ad favorites the Budweiser Clydesdales, and more did their darndest to stomp on her bumpit, they ultimately were no match for the overenthusiastic saleswoman. So it’s official: Picking up over 73 percent of the vote (the Pillsbury Doughboy finished with almost 27 percent), Flo rides to Big Shill victory on her white motorcycle. Never fear, though, fans of great advertising. Though we must wrap up our 2011 bracket game (giving The Noid, Grimace, Mr. Whipple, the Where’s the Beef Lady, and the rest of the game’s fallen competitors some imaginary consolation prizes), be sure to tune into the Super Bowl tonight — you might just see the next Big Shill champ. Check out Flo’s competitor stats below and the full bracket here, and, if you see him, be sure to tickle the Pillsbury Doughboy. It will make the poor guy feel better. Thanks for playing!
FLO, THE PROGRESSIVE GIRL (Stephanie Courtney)
Product: Progressive Insurance
Debut year: 2008
Catchphrase: N/A
Claim to fame: Flo doles out chipper insurance advice to clueless consumers in the world’s cleanest-ever insurance store.
Strength: Never-ending enthusiasm. Also: Bumpit.
Weakness: Did we mention the enthusiasm never ends? Also: Bumpit.
Stephanie Courtney (Flo) looks a lot like Katey Sagal. Maybe she could get a job playing her sister.
She makes me watch and then laugh. What more could you ask for!
Seriously? I actually think these commercials are really annoying.
Seriously?
My reaction exactly. Tony the Tiger… Snap, Crackle, Pop… the Quik Bunny… the Pillsbury Doughboy… Mr. Whipple… Now those are advertising icons.
How we end up with Flo over the likes of Kool-Aid Man is beyond me.
I ain’t bothering to vote in these things again — burned one too many times now by fellow participants with shallow memories and/or just bad taste.
I don’t understand how Flo made it to the final, let alone won. Was this a “Vote for the Worst” scenario? Because in 25 years, I can’t imagine anyone waxing nostalgic about Flo the Progressive Lady, whereas I’m sure in 25 years people will still be fondly poking the Pillsbury Dough Boy in his cute little belly.
Exactly. I like these commercials just fine…but the best commercial icon? I don;t think so…
Time is on her side. In the sense that these are the freshest commercials on peoples’ minds.
Not even close. The Darth Vader Volkswagon commercial is tops .
over 12.5 million hits and going strong.
When The Big Shill started that Darth Vader commercial was not available. Maybe he’ll win next year.
This doesn’t surprise me at all. Flo already won my heart two years ago. (Now everybody say “awwww” or “ewwww”, depending on your inclination).
Woohooo!! CELEBRATION
*puke*
She and the commercials annoy me no end.
So does bad grammar.
I doubt we’ll be talking about her in 25 years and reminiscing about her commercials that made us feel happy… whereas I feel the Pillsbury Dough Boy, the Clydesdales, and so many of the other competitors that didn’t make it will still live on, either in new commercials or in YouTube lore.
I agree but these EW voting things are always hijacked, and the most popular among the general public never win, it’s annoying. Better to not vote at all then get at invested for nothing.
This is ridiculous… the general public votes these in. Quit making excuses and accept it. She’s popular right now and was voted by her fans. That’s why they keep making these commercials, they work and people respond.
I’ll have to disagree. I think 25 years down the road Flo’ll still be remembered just like Josephine the Plumber and Madge the Manicurist are still remembered today from their time.
Thank you for finally ending this poll. Sooo boring.
OHHH, not the top shill, the top SHRILL. No wonder Flow won
BOOOO! I hate her.
hha yeahh she derserved to win. go flo!! you wooped all your competition heeelllll yeahhhh, oh and all you haters gtfo outa heerrr
Flo is great and deserved to win. Facebook Flo Fans rejoice!