Klipdrift's 'Friendly Frikkie' makes firm friends

This research tool measures a TV commercial's noting relative to its media support, and compares it to that of its competitors to establish the most effective future media strategy. Each commercial is measured in terms of 'verified noting' and a 'liking' score out of 10, and then compared with the normative data within its category.

Peaking with a liking score of 9.2 amongst 35-50 year olds, 'Friendly Frikkie' is one of the highest liked commercials in Adtrack history.

'Friendly Frikkie' opens on a desolate but beautiful vista complemented by the presence of a smart 4x4 (with a Gauteng number plate) and a gracious black couple (Eddie and Tumi) in their thirties in absolute awe of the setting. In a cloud of dust, a real 'plaasbakkie' pulls and a friendly, broad-shouldered farmer (Frikkie) asks 'Jis-jis-jis! Het julle moeilikheid? (Are you having car trouble?).

Eddie and Tumi don't understand the farmer's Afrikaans and - when Eddie responds 'Hola, we're only admiring the view... we're on our way to Touwsriver', Frikkie misinterprets his English as a request for assistance and replies 'Ja, ek tow julle sommer gou plaas toe'. Within seconds, the 4x4 is flying along dirt roads behind the bakkie to the farmer's homestead where the sun is starting to set.

Frikkie's wife meets them on the stoep and ushers the gob smacked guests through the front door. When Eddie responds 'Nkosi' to a glass of Klipdrift, Frikkie again misunderstands replying 'Ja, kos. Nou pra' jy - ek's ook lekker honger.' The evening progresses until Frikkie and Eddie make their way to the stoep, looking at the stars, absolutely content to sit in silence. Frikkie asks 'Nog enetjie?' This time Eddie grasps the meaning and, shaking his head in disbelief mutters 'Eeiiishhhh!' to which Frikkie replies 'Met ys ja! Met ys ...' and the viewer begins to suspect that perhaps he knew what was going on all along, he just wanted the opportunity to make new friends.

According to Klipdrift Brand Development Manager, Sacha du Plessis, Friendly Frikkie's phenomenal performance doesn't stop with its liking scores. FCB was asked to create an ad that would appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers and according to Millward Brown's research findings, all expectations were exceeded. Friendly Frikkie scored well above average on noting, impact and retention rate across varying cultures.

"Overall, the latest Klipdrift 'Friendly Frikkie' ad has performed very well and resulted in a strongly media efficient campaign. Needless to say, Distell is well pleased with the agency on this score."

"This is the kind of performance South Africa has come to expect from FCB South Africa, and especially from Cape Town's Executive Creative Director, Francois de Villiers, and his award-winning team of Hanlie Kriel and Anthony de Klerk," said FCB South Africa Executive Creative Director, Ashley Bacon.

"Friendly Frikkie is rich with detail yet so fast-paced that it takes several viewings to even begin to appreciate the nuances of the scene selection, make-up, wardrobe and settings. This is Francois' trademark, and he and his team enjoy reflecting South African humour back to its people so that they can laugh at themselves, and with each other."