gordonandfrank.ca
Bell's new mascots - two talking beavers named Frank and Gordon - have an eponymous web site - frankandgordon.ca. I'm glad to see that the folks working on the site heeded One Degree's recent advice and allow people to drop the "www" and still get to the site. I also really like that they registered the .com version of the domain but still use the .ca in the ads to make it clear this is a Canadian thing.
Unfortunately they didn't read an older One Degree post called How To Add Spell-check To Your Domain Names (go read it, I'll wait). Now there might be some obvious typo domains that they could have registered (and they may have for that matter - I didn't check them all), but I know they missed a really big and obvious problem with that domain. Imagine this scenario which is close but not quite what Bell's marketers imagined happening:
Jimmy: "Dad, those beavers are funny. Can we go to their website to expand our brand experience interactively?"
Dad: "Well Jimmy, what do you say we get on the ol' interweb and Google some beavers." (Okay I might have just found the second problem.)
Jimmy: "No Dad, the commercial had their address at the end."
Dad: "What was it Jimmy?"
Jimmy: "Uh, well it was the names of the beavers - Gordon and Frank. Yeah, it was gordonandfrank.ca."
Dad: "Okay, let's go to gordonandfrank.ca".
See the problem? It's frankandgordon.ca not gordonandfrank.ca. And Bell didn't think to register the alternate. What would Gordon say about this clear case of favouritism? So, what do you get when you go to gordonandfrank.ca you may ask? Why (after DNS updates), you get the very page you are now reading.
Hilarious!
Sure will be a tough way to learn their lesson... care to track stats on how many people wind up on your typo? Did you buy any of the other alternatives?
Great living experiment. Probably some interesting data on TV to web cross over campaigns...SUPER BOWL and maybe Canadas largest brand.
Pretty interesting. Definitely funny.
Posted by: Mike McDerment | February 06, 2006 at 09:05 PM
So awesome!
I wonder if there is any comparable data on phone number mnemonics and/or multiple registerings of those numbers?
I suppose the argument could be made that its easier on the web .. because there are engines like Google. Although a search on "Gordon and Frank" turns up a real estate broker in Australia who may not appreciate his new found popularity.
And if only Jimmy *really* talked like that :-)
Cheers .. Kate
Posted by: Kate Trgovac | February 06, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Nice. Clever. They should have hired you.
Posted by: tim | February 07, 2006 at 01:24 AM
I'll be happy to share some stats as this evolves. It's been about 6 hours now since we pushed the DNS update and we've had over 100 visitors to this page.
Now some of that traffic is typical One Degree traffic, but we're seeing a real spike on this particular post. Normally the top post of the day gets about 30 reads in a full 24 hours so the domain is definitely having an effect on traffic.
Posted by: Ken Schafer | February 07, 2006 at 02:26 AM
Frank & Gordon are cool Canadian beavers and all that. I just hope Norm Mcdonald is NOT one of the voices. He has no use for Canada & Canadians. (he renounced his Canadian citizenship and became an American) when the Canadian military declined to participate in the Iraqi invasion.
Boo, Norm Mcdonald.
Posted by: janis | February 08, 2006 at 12:31 AM
Ken, please let us OneDegree readers know when Bell Canada, their agency and lawyers contact you!
This is pretty funny...and it truly speaks to some common issues faced in online and integrated, cross-media marketing. After all, you can't really click on the URL in the TV commercial and I am sure a decent percentage of would-be browsers end up juxtaposing the the names of the Bell beavers.
Good work!!!
Posted by: Stefan Eyram | February 08, 2006 at 03:10 PM
Hey Stefan, I will definitely let everyone know if you need to get together a "defense fund" for me!
So far in the first 24 hours of gordonandfrank.ca we've had over 600 page views on this one page.
My guess is frankandgordon.ca might be getting a FEW more page views than that!
Posted by: Ken Schafer | February 09, 2006 at 02:23 AM
I agree with Janis, I have seen a clip of Norm McDonald openly badmouthing Canada and Canadians on the air not to mention the fact that he is an active Bush supporter.
Posted by: Frank | February 09, 2006 at 11:53 PM
I like Norm MacDonald's brand of humour, and I liked his shows. I didn't know he was Canadian till I confirmed it on IMDB.
I am pretty sure it is him, but I've been searching the MAD TV cast pages to find out who his "Artie-like" co-star is. I can place the voice in my head.
I wish ADS had an IMDB database to solve my mental questions. I know voices well.
Posted by: Jeff | February 10, 2006 at 12:27 AM
hey, well if you go to the website it shows what cities the beavers were born in, norms beaver says quebec just like norm. it says the other beaver was born in winnipeg i believe. what famous canadian comedian was born there.
ummmm god bless IMDB.
Posted by: mike | February 11, 2006 at 05:15 PM
i found out..it's played by Ken Campbell.
Posted by: mike | February 11, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Thanks to Bell I found onedegree.ca
Posted by: Travis | February 12, 2006 at 01:07 AM
Has anyone found a web site where we can provide feedback directly to Bell about using Norm McDonald as a voice for a CDN commercial. I find it offensive after his statements on US TV.
Posted by: Carol | February 12, 2006 at 02:48 PM
When I first heard this ad I was turned off immediately when I heard Norm MacDonald's voice, Actually, insulted. Who was the idiot that casted him as a voice of a patriotic Canadian??
Posted by: Annie | February 12, 2006 at 04:27 PM
Lots of really funny Canadians out there, the best you could come up with was a traitor, you should all be ashamed.
Posted by: Bob | February 13, 2006 at 09:53 PM
Hilarious.
It's about time we show our great Canadian sense of Humour.
How about stuffed animal mascots for sale. Great fund raiser for our future Canadian Athletes. I buy a pair. Keep up the great work.I'm proud to be a Canadian and a Bell subscriber.
Posted by: pat | February 14, 2006 at 12:49 AM
I love Frank and Gordon. I hope that you will be marketing Frank and Gordon Plush Animals. Don't forget their red toques. Hey who's the voice for Gordon? It sounds like Horatio Sanz? Am I right?!
Posted by: Charlee Toews | February 14, 2006 at 02:07 AM
The other Beaver is the voice of Baby Bob! I knew I knew it.
He's not even Canadian, but he sounds a little like Artie-Lang, Norm's friend and occasional partner.
Funny they mention Norm as a choice for the voice in an ad, but the other guy isn't even Canadian... is he?
Posted by: Jeff | February 14, 2006 at 12:46 PM
I agree that Frank and Gordon are the most popular thing on t.v. commercials nowadays. It will pass as everything does eventually. I also agree that they should have searched the background of those who did the voices and hire good patriotic Canadians that are proud of us and not some cut throat like MacDonald (Norm). Shaun Madjumder comes to mind as well as Red Green, even one of them could have been a female,(Luba Goy, etc...) and they could have pushed the envelope a lot further with different sexes! Must admit they are cute and very funny!
Posted by: Ray Ryan | February 15, 2006 at 01:12 PM
Hooray to the Bell Marketing department to hire a company with a sense of humour. Enjoy the ads, breaking up the sometimes dry CBC commentary.
Posted by: Betty Doucette | February 15, 2006 at 02:06 PM
Boring commercials after you've seen them once. Have a 'been there, done that' feel about them...
Posted by: BH | February 15, 2006 at 04:02 PM
I LOVVVVEEEE fRANK AND GORDON. THEy are My idols. this is one of the best commercials yet. I almost peed my pants laughing. Way to go beavers!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Posted by: Tina | February 15, 2006 at 10:50 PM
For all the people who are upset because Norm MacDonald's voice is used on the Bell commercials, think for a minute. First of all, these are supposed to be humorous commercials, not political statements. Secondly, supporting the war in Iraq or the Bush government is not un-Canadian. There are many Canadians who feel this way. Besides, isn't Canada a country that prides itself in respecting everybody's viewpoint, even if they do not agree with it?
Posted by: James | February 16, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Who cares if Norm Macdonald is no longer Canadian or if the other guy is American. That's why it's called voice-over ACTING!! Do you think that in every movie you see that everyone depicted who belongs to a certain nationality, race, or culture is strictly cast to essentially "keep it real"? Hells no. Just calm down and enjoy the commercial.
Posted by: Lawrence Ng | February 16, 2006 at 05:04 PM
Frank and Gordon have to be the BEST ad on TV for a long time.
In fact, the advertisers at the Super Bowl paid millions to have their ads seen and I dont remember one of them!!!!
SO Frank and Gordon have certainly outrated even the Super Bowl.. They are wonderful,funny, and all Canadian. Right on Bell for picking the right ad for the 2006 Olympics, I hope we see more of Frank and Gordon for other events, you've got a winner there.
Good One.!!!!!
Posted by: Judy Ross | February 16, 2006 at 05:22 PM
I Love Frank and Gordon!!!! You have to market a plush animal set of these two witty creatures, and not just a small version...make them a good size.Don't forget their red touques!!
Hats off to Bell, a truly Canadian Company for choosing the Beaver for it's official mascott.
Posted by: Stacy Turcotte | February 16, 2006 at 07:04 PM
We were just discussing at work how funny the two beavers are...Gordon and Frank. It isn't too often I wait around to see what commercial will be on before I flick to another channel. I didn't see them during the Super Bowl but happy to see them now...I agree with the plush toys!
Posted by: Louise DeArmond | February 16, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Really entertaining, can't wait to see the next one, they have become our Canadian Characters on tv. I'm sure Air Force will be giving free advertising when it gets back on the air, when the olympics are over.
Posted by: gary | February 17, 2006 at 12:20 AM
Would either of these two beavers be available for a date? I'm thinking that maybe their ability to carry on a conversation is far better than the ordinary man.
Frank and Gordon rock!
Posted by: Heather | February 17, 2006 at 12:56 AM
At last two beavers I can relate to,I did not need a valantine I had Frank and Gordon on T.V. It was love at first site!
Posted by: Barb | February 17, 2006 at 02:07 AM
the frank and grodon commertials are preddy cool and witty, and they have worked on me enought fro me to try to go to their site. i wish more commertials were like this
Posted by: sam | February 17, 2006 at 03:09 AM
This is a great uniquely Canadian idea!! These guys are really funny. A spot with one of them chewing an Olympic hockey stick would be funny. Keep them coming! How about a mascot in costume for the hockey games?? Cheers!!
Posted by: Garey Gabriel | February 17, 2006 at 10:53 AM
Hi,
Thanks for the the proper link to Frank and Gordon! I have been watching these guys on the French channel- CKSH-tv. (I live in Maine.) I absolutely LOVE the one where Gordon is lounging on the polar bear rug- even though I can only understand about half of what Frank is saying! As a matter of fact, that's how I happened here today, I am looking for the transcripts to the French commercials, so my Mom can tell me what they mean! Any help toward this end would be appreciated!
Posted by: Darlene | February 17, 2006 at 01:49 PM
Hi it's me again! I found them!
In French, their names are Jules et Bertrand.
You can see their French commercials at this place:
http://www.infopresse.com/article.aspx?id=16369
Posted by: Darlene | February 17, 2006 at 04:45 PM
Frank and Gordon are great commercials but they would be better if they were ALL captioned for the hearing impaired. So far I have only seen 2 that are captioned.
Posted by: Linda | February 17, 2006 at 07:42 PM
I love the Frank and Gordon commercials! They are so much fun to watch. Great work for whoever came up with these commercials! Keep up the good work!!!
Posted by: Bonnie | February 18, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Why would Bell use Norm McDonalds voice for a Canadian Beaver add..he denounced Canada for National television its stance on the war in Iraq....Use a REAL Canadians voice for the adds!
Posted by: Heather Fougere | February 18, 2006 at 05:34 PM
Love the commercials You have to hire the pair to let them live past the olypics how they are about to commenet on Canadian Politics.. that needs some funny lightening up!!!!!!!
Posted by: kate | February 19, 2006 at 01:51 AM
I'd like to know where I can buy the stuffed version of Frank and Gordon! Gordon, of course, should be sold wearing the Canadian toque. Anybody else wanting to buy this pair?
Posted by: Karen F. | February 19, 2006 at 06:50 PM
Get rid of Norm MacDonald and everyone will love this!
Posted by: Jolly Rogers | February 20, 2006 at 08:41 AM
Does anyone know the names of both beavers in French ? We always hear about Gordon (translate as "Bertrant") but what about Frank's name?
Thanks!
Posted by: Jack Meloche | February 20, 2006 at 09:48 AM
I think these guys are hilarious. The updated version of the Blockbuster Video critters. I don't want the Olympics to end, because then no more Gordon and Frank!
Posted by: Judi | February 20, 2006 at 04:53 PM
Half the fun of watching the Olympics this time around is seeing Frank & Gordon in the commercials. Their website is great too. I would love to buy the stuffed version of the duo.
And if you think about it, its just funny that Norm is the voice of Frank, the patriotic beaver. Because, I, for one, haven't watched this much CBC in a long time. I wouldn't even think of turning to an American station to watch the Olympics.
Posted by: Tara | February 21, 2006 at 03:49 AM
I find all the above comments absolutely astonishing. Most people I have spoken to, agree watching the critters Frank and Gordon for the first time is Humorous, but after that it gets simply irritating especially having to hear those croaking voices. Bell could have done better, by simply demonstrating the superiority of it products and services. I for one will definitely NOT be buying any of those stuff critters, caring much less of having to watch them over again.
Posted by: Vic | February 21, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Relax people, don't get political, it's just a commercial and a good one at that. Cheers to the advertising agency that came up with this one. They are fun to watch and I'm sure the US would love to see our Bell commercials on their TV. Toques off to Frank and Gordon.
Posted by: Lynda | February 21, 2006 at 04:21 PM
I have not seen any commercial that makes me want to split a gut. Hats off to who ever created Frank and Gordon.
I simply Love them!!! Its nice to have a hardy laugh at the end of a work day.
Kudos!!!!!
Posted by: Susan Surowaniec | February 21, 2006 at 05:37 PM
I agree with Vic... I think these commercials deserve to have an extremely short shelf life and I'm surpised how much pleasure they give other people.
As for originality... these two are just Canadian rip-offs of the Blockbuster animals. I'm surprised they didn't replace one of the beavers with a Moose or Loon!
Even when we try to do something unique and creative, it just boils down to an American idea with a Canadian twist.
But to be fair, besides the animals, the commercial plots and the voices the commericals are good.
Posted by: Matt | February 21, 2006 at 07:41 PM
the main reason i watch the tv is for this commercial!!! SOoooooooooo fuNNNNNyy!! you gotta luv them
Posted by: cassi | February 21, 2006 at 09:02 PM
If he's so anti-Canadian, why do a Canadian commercial for the Olympics?
Does he need the $ ? Will someone hear his voice and just like that they want him to do an animated movie in Hollywood again?
It's an interesting combination, I would like to hear someone from CBC make a comment as to why they hired Norm MacDonald, a Canadian, former Canadian, whatever he is, does he still think of himself as Canadian, even a part of him ? Does he remember his Canadian roots? He has the right to his own opinion but do'nt slam your own country for it's decision not to participate in the war.
Posted by: Tyler | February 22, 2006 at 12:58 AM
I for one love the ads, I am trying to find some where that I can download the ads to keep does anyone know a site or some where I may be able to do this.
Posted by: Denny | February 22, 2006 at 12:52 PM