How Flo Accidentally Saved Progressive - Cheddar Explains 

I love her. I would love to see a movie or TV show with all the spokespersons (Flo, Jake from State Farm, Jan from Toyota, etc.) as background actors in a cafe scene as a joke.

those 'turning in your parents' Progressive ads are also solid in humor.

I remember back in the 90s Progressive was the company that insured high risk drivers that all other insurance companies turned down. They would charge very high rates then would lower the cost if the customer stayed clean or a couple of years. On anothe note; I remember an Allstate rep came to my home in the early 80s. After he spent 20 minutes giving me his pitch he asked me if I had received any tickets. When I told him I had received only one, he basically flew out the door.

When I was little I wanted to visit the Progressive Superstore because I thought it was real 😂😂

I love Flo! She's someone who can put a smile on you're face no matter how you feel.

Her ads are genuinely funny. I occasionally binge watch them on YT, and laugh myself silly. I'm amazed that she hasn't gotten her own TV show.

I can't believe Flo has only been around since 2008, it seems like so much longer than that

I've been a Progressive customer for a while after having a good experience when an inattentive driver bumped into me. I can't really say Flo or the ads sold me, it's more they have good rates and aren't terrible for claims. Now the "spokesperson" who grinds my gears is the Liberty Mutual guy. Seriously one of the most vapid and uninspiring campaigns. Especially when they run at every commercial break. They need a new ad agency.

Small nit: Flo (Stephanie Courtney) was/is a stand-up comedian as well.

I've met Stephanie before, my mom went to high school with her and they still talk to this day. I remember during quarantine my mom would schedule zoom happy hours and on multiple occasions, Stephanie was there for hours.

Stephanie Courtney was a member of the Groundlings comedy troupe in L.A., as well as an actress who made numerous guest appearances on TV series. Good golly, I even remember her appearance in an episode of Angel. ;-)

I need a insurance crossover with Flo and Mayhem from Allstate.

Never having heard of Progressive or Flo, being from the UK, when I saw the title I expected this video to be about menstruation and feminism somehow, what with "a visit from Aunt Flo" being a popular euphemism for a period. Boy, was I wrong! 😅

Her commercials were always one of the few I actually usually watched when I still watched TV.

I'm happy that she's endured this long and hope we still get more years of her.

I like Flo and the gang. I think the marketing at Progressive is doing a great job with a clean and straightforward approach. I've been following it for years; however, I must admit that it's edge is not as sharp as GEICO's. The loser here is Liberty Mutual. Great video!

I love the organic rise from this unknown actress to finding her footing as an ad icon. I swear I just teared up a little!! ❤️❤️

Ngl, I was super young and inexperienced, so I went with Progressive because of Flo. I have stayed the last ten years because I was happy with the service. 😁

Omg! I love Flo! She's one of the reasons I thought about taking Progressive insurance years ago even though I had no car of my own and never ended up getting the insurance anyway 😅 She's one if the best mascots I've seen.

Flo’s cute and quirky, so you can’t not love her!

I got progssive in 2006 cause it seemed decent and affordable but I have to admit, once Flo started in their commercials I was happy that was my insurance company! Lol. Strange that we care about that stuff but it works. Good marketing is impressive and Flo has earned her laurels.

Love me some Flo. Her with the good rates made me moved over to progressive

A few years ago I when to a small local comi-con, and the winner for best cosplay was a girl in a flo costume, she even made the boxes.

The progressive ADS with Flo are one of the few ADS I enjoy watching

I have never tired of Flo. She's so cute. But I don't use Progressive Insurance.

Jamie: Look at me. Flo: Sure Jamie: Look at me. Flo: Sure Jamie: I'm the captain now.

I don't even have Progressive Insurance, and I absolutely LOVE Flo. Wife material.

“No other actor has appeared in as many commercials as the same character” - I totally thought the Jack in the Box guy would hold that title. They changed voice actors a few years back, but still over 20 years of consistent advertisements.

I love Flo, she is my ideal " Girl Boss", fun, funny, smart, personable, and Jamie, her foil.

I love all Progressive commercials!Geico’s are clever too. Glad they changed the Gecko’s accent👍🏾Flo’s “family” is fun to watch, too😀

I have almost forgotten the Progressive commercials of the "pre-Flo" era are a thing

it's wonderful how much good luck you can have by being cheerful

Love Flo! The friendly neighborhood waitress whose quirky and loves her job.

I’m not even American and we don’t have progressive in my country but I know about flo

Here in the Netherlands we had a TV personality with a very similar story: Cora van Mora. She was everywhere on TV since 1985 and completely defined the Cora brand by herself and propelled it to the top. She got too old at a certain point and was replaced by a younger actress - they handled it pretty well with commercials about the audition process for the role, not just sweeping it under the rug. Videos of her can be easily found here on youtube.

Love Flo ❤️ only one that could beat her is the original Jake from state farm. Not this new imposter.

In 70 years Flo and I might not be around, but Gaico will. 3D > Organic Human.

This is actually a video I actively searched for. Like the days of Pitchmen like Billy Mays every brand has to have a spokesperson. Over a few minutes I thought about it and Flo was the one that stuck out. Shes been around for so long, her character and actress are consistent. It IS just commercial quality, but if she didn't do a good job or it didn't work they would've changed strategies. Fact is: She does work. The character does. Not all advertisements are going to be good, some waaaaaay more annoying than others. Others hit just right. I used Geico for a long time, boy they were expensive, even for a 10 year old car but maybe thats my fault for not being more knowledgeable or proactive. What I can say is, I use Progressive now. I think with how simple they make it on their site it was easier to understand and try to get a rate we could both work with, haven't seen how they react to an accident (hopefully never will) but for the rate I'm getting, I'm satisfied.

Flow is da bomb everybody loves flow.

Imagine telling someone in the 1990s that in just 10 years that characters on insurance commercials would basically be rockstars

There's something so wholesome about her character! Side note, does anyone remember the Orbitz gum commercials with the British lady? Where she always ends by saying, "it gives you that good cleaaaan feeling...no matter what..." XD

Flo is definitely enjoyable to watch! The actress was actually in a Skittles commercial before Progressive found her.

This actor (Stephanie Courtney) shows up in random shows and it's always a treat. like You're the Worst and even in the first season of Mad Men. She was brutal and hilarious in YTW actually.

I remember being a little kid sitting on the floor and watching TV when I saw my first Flo commercial. It was during 2008-2009 and I was pretty young! even though I didn't understand that it was about Insurance or what that meant. I enjoyed watching her in commercials and I liked her character a lot, even memorizing her name at some point. She is and always will be a part of my childhood. I'm 20 years old now and I will never forget Flo

I remember Flo! She is so cool! Loved watching her growing up!

This is so interesting. I never even really thought about it but I have been a Progressive customer since like 2004! And honestly, I don't know how it happened: I could've been a young, risky driver, but they actually had the BEST rates of any insurance company I had reviewed. And they STILL have the best rates! I have zero complaints about their service and am genuinely happy to hear they are close to the top. Geico can suck it.

When commercials appear, I immediately change channels. If it’s a Progressive ad, I will watch it & Love it. Just when I think that these Flo commercials, can’t top themselves, each succeeding ad is more brilliant than the last. Bravo to Flo and Progressive.

I just realized I watched this video related to marketing… but in reality I’m procrastinating my Marketing homework LMAO

I remember the first time I saw Flo’s commercial I turned to my Mom and said “yeah, she does say it louder” I have no idea why that stuck in my mind but it must mean the ad is doing something right

I love Flo and just love how well she works with her new cast members, if I ever did drive in the United States I’d probably check out progressive, my family is geico though.

I need a crossover with Flo, Geico Gecko, Geico Cavemen, the General, Limu Emu, etc.

I work in car insurance. The best advice ever heard when shopping insurance isn’t to shop rates it’s to shop companies. I work as an auto adjuster and have noticed red flags from insurance companies? Company wants to put liability on a parked unoccupied vehicle? Red flag Company make it really difficult to get things your owed? Red flag Company wait times are ALWAYS high? Red flag. There are insurance companies that I as a consumer won’t even quote when looking at insurance because I have dealt with them in my job before.

I've always like Flo and the Gekko. Fun commercials. Haven't seen the guy with the deep voice who does the Allstate ones lately.

I had a crush on Flo when I was 19 in 2008. To me she looked hot when she was younger.

I read the title in notification menu, and honestly thought it's about US politics 🤦‍♂️ (with slight typo). Non-US, ofc. This is just as interesting.

why I like Progressive commercials better than others is that, I felt like the commercials wasn't centered around her, then when they brought in Jim Cashman to play Jamie, they made him & Flo a duo & didn't push her off to the side, then when they brought in Natalie Palamides as Mara, then other characters as a main cast as other insurance associates, they incorporated everyone, like a well-oiled machine running, sure each one had their own shine as a stand-alone in a commercial, but they made sure everyone else was included

Where can I find the Arnold workbook shown in the video? Would be soo cool to see that!

Was really helpful for an assignment I'm doing on this advertisement campaign Thanks, man

I didn't know about Flo until now, but she remembers me about The Fairy Man from Banca Transilvania and it was a huge comercial succes in early 2000s in Romania.

"No other actor has appeared in as many commercials as the same character." Jim Varney would disagree. (Although those were all for different brands/products.)

Progressive ads are ones of that stuck to me the most from the US, after Mayhem dude, in fact, the fact than insurance commercials are so informal is what stuck to me

Stephanie Courtney really lucked out-her “Flo” gig turned into a full-fledged career. (And she might make up to $500,000 a year playing that character.)

I love the "Flo Show", it's my favorite thing on TV, but the episodes are really short, and you never know when it's going to be on.

We actually switched to Progressive BECAUSE of flo. Well mostly. Flo was one of my daughter's first words. She was obsessed with her and constantly asked us to get flo. We checked it out and turned out progressive offered a better deal. Had them for 14 years, for both car and homeowners insurance, for multiple policies - until they decided to just spontaneously drop us for no reason. Barely even ever had any claims at all and had all their "safe driver", etc discounts. Maddening. Still love Flo though.

My 3 favorite commercials with Flo is the one where she plays a romantic scene in the rain, the “sprinkles are for winners and the one with the step father but not sure if Flo was in it or the other characters 🤔

Love Flo! I hope she's getting the compensation she deserves.

I couldn't care less about insurance. In fact, the whole subject utterly bores me. However, I simply LOVE Flo! I always have! She's a jewel!

She's good as giving the company a human face, which is effective, there are people in the comments speaking fondly about this insurance company lol. Highjacking our love for human connection to make us feel connected to the brand, it totally works on me

I love her, she is honestly the only reason why I went with progressive. Flo is an icon and I don't change the commercial if it has flo

I don't like Progressive but I do like Flo. Stephanie I wish you the best.

In relation to the Halloween costume, my housemate went as Jake from State Farm last year. Pretty amazing how people consider insurance ad characters for Halloween.

Progressive had a different actor for the ads in Australia. That would be an interesting comparison to see how each country did it

im from europe and have no clue what any of this is but nice video anyways

Jim Varney’s “Ernest” character was in WAY more commercials than Flo. Something north of 2,500 I believe.

In the clip at 7:03 you mention that she has appeared in 150 ads and that no other actor has appeared as many times as the same character. Bad research I would say ;) In Sweden, we have a grocery store chain ICA that has the world record in the longest running ad campaign. In their weekly spots, there was one lead role, Stig, which was played by Hans Mosesson for 512(+2) episodes!

When this ad campaign started I absolutely hated it. But yeah it was unforgettable. I never hated the actress mind you, just the character because originally I couldn't stand her but eventually, she kind of grew up and I enjoyed that. Oddly enough I will actually be switching to Progressive for my car insurance this month because they actually are going to be saving me money.

I love Flo!! I especially love the ads with her "family"! What a great marketing strategy. I was concerned as Progressive seemed to be turning away from Flo in favor of other actors which I wasn't pleased with at all. Finally a female spokesperson and they were attempting to write Flo out of their ads which made me angry as I'm sure she gets paid well and maybe Progressive didn't want to pay her even though HER AD LIB is the only reason for their market share increase!

Before the internet insurance was bought through salespeople that would spend 2-3 hours in your home trying to sell you life insurance, but settle for letting you buy auto with the renter's add on that was designed to be essentially free to build pressure to allow themselves to be sold life insurance. If the family wasn't letting the talk lead to selling life insurance for every family member (even toddlers) then the salesman could discuss prepaid legal policies, eye care and dental plans and then try life insurance one last time.... Car, renter's, eye care, dental and legal plans all were very low margin, low commission products and most consumers would switch companies at renewal. A combined $40 a year in commission and a whole lot of paperwork. Life insurance was extremely profitable and consumers rarely changed companies and frequently increased coverage. $300 or more in commission plus residuals per policy with 1 piece of paper per policy. Buying insurance used to be worse than buying a new car, because it was almost always in your home and most people had no clue what they signed up for in the end. And Progressive was the solution for the one family member with a bad driving record. Scare the family with an Allstate quote, then let Progressive make you the hero so you can do even more paperwork and hope someone buys some life insurance!

I am not a Progressive customer, but I like the character and the commercials.

Fun fact: Stephanie Courtney was in a few early episodes of Mad Men, playing a switchboard operator.

I’m one of the unfortunate people who has had a run in with Flo’s evil twin: Olf from Regressive.

It's kind of hard to believe that Flo wasn't around until 2008. I mean, doesn't it seem like she's always been there? Weird.

I had a nightmare when i was little where flo kidnapped me inside a car dealership

Got to love the one that got rule 34ed out of the mascot job. XD

when i first saw her, i loved her quirky, embarrassing humor.. It was odd. brilliant creativity

I consider Progressive & Geico both as second tier insurance for people who cannot afford the best coverage because they have 'problematic history' with insurance. But, I'll have to say I do love Flo. TgT

I want one of those tricked out name tags.

I love Flo, although I'm sticking with "my parent's insurance company" (Always found that line funny, like what if you are my parent's insurance company?). However, I have certainly been entertained by today's insurance commercial characters from Flo, to the Caveman, the Gecko, Jake from State Farm to the characters in the "happier than..." series.

What about Lily from AT&T or what's-her-name from Toyota?

I have a supervisor who's personality could pass as Flo's sister or other relative. I feel like getting her a progressive apron with the tags on it as a gift for Christmas.

I hate insurance but Flo was the original Bad Bitch from my childhood

I hope Stephanie Courtney is making good money for her work. She deserves it.

I like her, and the Progressive ads are from those that I like to watch. Brilliant marketing on their side.

LOVE Flo so much, fun fact, she also plays one of Beverly Goldberg’s neighbors on The Goldberg’s, although not as fun of a character as Flo!

I rarely skipped or ignored Flo ads or Mayhem ads

Make the intangible, tangible. Nailed it!

I really like Flo, but I wish they'd get rid of the Jamie radio ads, with him obsessing with his voice warm-ups. ANNOYING. AS. HELL!

Loved the Caveman commercials

So she got a Halloween consume. But has she gotten a rule 34 parody?

I remember "Flo" doing bits for Jay Leno on the Tonight Show before she really took off. Never imagined she would strike it rich with an insurance company. Wonder how much they pay her??