It seems like only yesterday that the Gecko visited a Texas honky-tonk bar and busted some moves the likes of which had never been busted by humankind or geckokind. In fact, his dancing prowess has inspired a sudden new movement online: The Gecko’s Texas Dance Party.
Sadly, the Gecko can’t visit everyone on his journey across America, so he’s doing the next best thing: teaching everyone to do his famous Texas two-step on YouTube. Beginning with an instructional video breaking down every vital step in the dance, the dance party gives dance and gecko fans alike the perfect opportunity to connect with the gecko and make themselves a part of the journey.
To participate, friends of the Gecko should learn the dance using the instructional video (they can even download the song to dance along) and then record themselves performing. Then, they can simply upload it to YouTube, put “Gecko Dance” in the title, and alert the Gecko at geckoassistant@geico.com. The Gecko might even put it in his special Gecko’s Texas Dance Party playlist!
As an added bonus, The Gecko sat in on a live recording of Wrinkle Neck Mules playing Central Daylight Time, the song from the Texas commercial, and couldn’t resist dancing even then. And who could blame him?
Back for 2012 is our #MusicMonday blog series highlighting some of the biggest music festivals in America. First on our list is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif.
The three-day festival will take place on consecutive weekends (April 13-15 and April 20-22) for the first time this year to meet demand. According to Coachella’s website, “In an effort to try and accommodate everyone who wants to experience the festival, COACHELLA 2012 will be two separate events, held over two consecutive weekends. Same lineup … same art … same place … different people.”
Yet tickets for both weekends sold out in just a few hours. Sounds like three days battling the heat and dust is worth it.
This year’s lineup features headliners The Black Keys, Radiohead and Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg along with an impressive undercard with some of my favorites including Explosions in the Sky, M83, Neon Indian, Bon Iver, Miike Snow, The Head and the Heart, Florence + the Machine and many more.
Planning to make the trip, or just want to learn a little more about the festival? Here’s a collection of some of the best articles, previews and tips I’ve found.
The LA Times Daily Dish blog gives you a preview of the food options at Coachella. Food trucks, local restaurants and even a farmers market give you plenty of eating options.
Coachella is known for band reunions – this year, check out At the Drive-In and Refused. And imagine the possibilities in Wired.com’s “10 reunions we’d like to see.”
Have some music festival or camping tips? Who’s your favorite act at Coachella, past or present? Share your thoughts in the comments! And if you’re driving to Coachella, by all means buckle up and mind those speed limits!
As a member of GEICO’s public relations staff, I hear about our company’s name being used in some pretty interesting and creative ways. The other day, though, a story like I had never seen came across my desk.
Captain Justin Carlson, a fighter pilot in the United States military, is known by his colleagues as “GEICO.” It’s his nickname, or as aviators call it, his “call sign.” These have a long history in the armed forces and are given to an aviator by a member of his or her squadron or training class, or by some other colleague.
Here’s the story behind Captain Carlson taking on GEICO as his call sign. Early in his career as a pilot, Carlson experienced some minor mechanical mishaps with his plane and was also prone to leaving his helmet in maintenance spaces.
The mechanics who maintained his jet were none too happy about the mishaps, and they figured that if Captain Carlson could be a fighter pilot, it must be so easy a caveman can do it. Soon thereafter, images of the GEICO caveman circulated around the squadron and made their way onto Carlson’s locker and on the squadron’s picture board in place of his face, and GEICO became his call sign.
Captain Carlson has embraced his call sign. He holds the company in high regard and has a strong appreciation for its storied history. “My opinion of GEICO is very high,” Captain Carlson said. “I’ve read a lot about the company’s history in the course of reading about Warren Buffett and Ben Graham. I respect how it’s grown to be the cornerstone of Berkshire Hathaway, which I regard as the most sound and dependable company in the world.”
Ever watch a favorite GEICO commercial and think, “Who comes up with these ideas?” GEICO Now goes straight to the source and talks to the creative director behind some of GEICO’s most loveable characters—from the Gecko to the guinea pigs.
He dishes about the Gecko’s origins, how one GEICO character got his own ABC sitcom, favorite moments on set, and more.
In honor of GEICO’s 75th anniversary, we’re sharing an image from GEICO’s past each month this year and inviting you to exercise your caption-writing skills.
In this mid-1970s photo, there are clearly some Deep Thoughts going on in this group. But are they all on the same page? Maybe not.
The fellow in the middle, for example, with his arms crossed – he looks like he has spotted something troublesome off to his right that nobody else in the group has seen. What could it be?
The fellow at the right, making the Dramatic Hand Gesture, seems to be leading the discussion; what is he talking about? And what’s in the envelope the gentleman to his left is holding? We await your speculations in the comments.
While the Gecko may be busy doing the two-step in Texas and posting about his journey online, he’s not too busy to think about the year ahead. With the end of the year just a few days away, he has passed along this list of his top resolutions for 2012.
I will finally change the ringtone on my cell phone to something other than the “vintage 1950s ring” setting.
I will stop handwriting memos in the office. Lesson learned: most people do not keep magnifying glasses at their desks.
I will finally submit to the patent office my design for “Gecko noise-canceling earbuds.”
I will stop trying so hard to try to be better organized. It only makes things worse.
I will not bedazzle a single thing.
I will resist the urge to dance every time I hear country music.
I will make sure that everyone I meet on my journey knows how much they could save with GEICO.
Well, that’s the Gecko’s list. We’ll see how long he can resist bedazzling. What’s on your list?
By guest blogger Mary Manyahilhal, GEICO public relations
It wouldn’t be the holidays without the desserts. The challenge is to enjoy the sweet treats without packing on the pounds. Rather than being a scrooge where desserts are concerned, I plan to keep it “low-calorie” and indulge in a few delicious goodies while maintaining my weight this holiday season.
Here are a few of my favorite low-calorie desserts that are perfect for family dinners and holiday parties:
Squash Pie – Substitute squash for the pumpkin and bake a sweet, orange-fleshed butternut squash pie that will leave your guests wanting more.
Angel Food Cake – Rather than having a high-calorie chocolate-fudge cake, try a slice of angel food cake topped with fat-free whipped topping and fresh strawberries. That way you can have your cake, and eat it, too – without too much guilt.
Pumpkin spice cookies – If you try the squash pie but you still want to “get your pumpkin on,” these pumpkin spice cookies will fill you up like traditional cookies without the extra calories.
What are some of your favorite low-calorie desserts? Share your holiday goodies in the comments – along with recipes! And as you travel to visit friends and relatives and share these yummy desserts this holiday season, remember to drive carefully and buckle up.
When the Gecko began his journey across America, he knew it would take him from sea to shining sea and through amber waves of grain. No one could have predicted that it would take him into one of New York City’s eminent art galleries.
This month, The Kathleen Cullen Fine Arts gallery will feature a portrait of the Gecko created during his visit to The Big Apple. The color caricature-style portrait, made by an anonymous street artist, will be available for viewing until Dec. 24 and then for the entire month of January. Locals can find the gallery at 526 W. 26th Street #605 New York, NY 10001, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You can find more about the portrait’s creation and the rest of the Gecko’s journey at the Gecko’s Facebook page or by accessing the Gecko Tracker. How will the Gecko top this?
I would’ve written this post a little sooner if I knew “Snowtober” was going to surprise the Northeast back in late October. Better late than never, though! There’s still plenty of winter weather ahead for 2011-2012.
While you can still find a nice day, prepare for the rest of the season by winterizing your vehicle. Then, follow these 10 steps to ensure a safe commute … or trip to the grocery store for the last gallon of milk.
First things first … you want the snow off your car but you probably want to save the paint. Opt for brushes designed for auto snow removal and leave the shovel in the shed. Whatever you do, don’t forget the roof! In fact, failing to clean off your car can be illegal. You don’t want a block of ice the size of a mattress flying off your car into traffic.
You can prepare for winter driving by practicing. Go to an open parking lot and practice braking on icy or snowy surfaces. (Yes, you are allowed to think this is fun.)
When you are ready to hit the road, shovel around your wheels and under the front and rear bumpers to clear away any snow. Spinning your wheels can dig the hole deeper, build up ice and wear out your tires.
Slow down. In normal conditions, you should maintain a following distance of three seconds between you and another car. On winter roads, increase that to a full 8 to 10 seconds.
If you do get stuck, keep in mind that the sharper your front wheels are turned, the more resistance to movement in either direction you create, so try to keep the front tires as straight as possible. You can also keep sand or kitty litter in your trunk to spread around the tires for traction.
If your car skids, follow these steps:
Don’t panic.
Don’t slam on the brakes.
Take your foot off the gas.
Steer your car in the direction you want to go.
Wait for the car to slow down so you can regain control.
Remember: do not use your cruise control on any slippery surface — even if the roads are just wet.
When going up a hill, try to build some inertia by increasing your speed as you approach the hill and let it carry you up. Increasing your speed while on the hill will just make your wheels spin.
Know your brakes. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal and avoid sudden stops.
Once you’ve mastered it, teach your teen driver how to drive in winter weather.
And finally, our “bonus tip” would be to just stay home. Even if you know how to drive in the snow, that doesn’t mean everyone else on the road does. What are your favorite tips for winter driving?
Ever watch a favorite 
In honor of GEICO’s 75th anniversary, we’re sharing an image from GEICO’s past each month this year and inviting you to exercise your caption-writing skills. 
While the Gecko may be busy doing the two-step in Texas and 
By guest blogger Mary Manyahilhal, GEICO public relations
When the Gecko began his journey across America, he knew it would take him from sea to shining sea and through amber waves of grain. No one could have predicted that it would take him into one of New York City’s eminent art galleries.
I would’ve written this post a little sooner if I knew “Snowtober” was going to surprise the Northeast back in late October. Better late than never, though! There’s still plenty of winter weather ahead for 
