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January 17, 2012

Progressive Ad Features Sonic the Hedgehog; Uses Wrong Music

Does anyone remember Nick Arcade? Back in 1992, a prototype version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was featured on the show. In that version, Emerald Hill Zone played the Star Light Zone music. I would later find out that the music was a placeholder, but as a kid I was infuriated at what I thought was an unforgivable screw-up by corporate blowhards that just don’t understand video games. I had forgotten what that feeling was like until today.

The ad features the invincibility/Super Sonic music from Sonic the Hedgehog 3, but as you can see, Sonic is clearly not invincible nor is he very super. Whether this is due to a lack of the necessary seven chaos emeralds or he’s just a few rings short of 50 is irrelevant. There is no excuse for this kind of oversight. If you are as outraged as I was over this blunder, I urge you to call or write a letter to Progressive Insurance DEMANDING that they correct the issue.

 



About the Author

Michael Bachmann
Mike is a professional amateur, dabbling in many things. One of those is writing of course, but also co-hosting and producing "Fistful of Pixels", an improv comedy show about theoretical video games.




  • Andrew

    The only thing strange to me is its Modern (moron) Sonic used and then a Classic (epic) tune that is used for the ad. I don’t think they meant for it to mach him being invincible or anything. I bet you though that thousands of people rang asking, “What is that awesome tune in the ad? They should use something like that in a video game”, without realising that it was 15 years ago. Also “Wow that sounds like something Michael Jackson would write” okay I’m just messing now.”

  • Rashidorashido87

    The Super Sonic theme could be a metaphor for Progressive’s “super” service. In the words of the Joker: “Why so serious?”

  • Greenhxx

    Dude, they picked a song that was kinda a hidden gem. I have sonic 3 and when I heard that song I felt like i was playing one of the old games. The commercial came on when i wasn’t even watching the TV. My ears perked up and i turned directly to the TV. I saw the progressive woman and was like. wtf is this they are using sonic music? THEN I SAW SONIC AND MY JAW DROPPED! this Progressive wasnt going for accurate music, but for an oldschool feel

    Also, only short songs would fit in a 30 second segment. so why not choose a song that is 30 seconds long or less and can loop? Like the invincibility song?

    For you to flip out over nothing and even post this complaint, I must shake my head. Just be greatful when sonic appears outta nowhere to brighten up your day?

    What if jesus appeared and they played the wrong song (one that has nothing with him returning) but it was still a song about jesus? nobody would care he has returned. The funny thing is i don’t think jesus ever existed but im sure you do.

  • http://www.facebook.com/serioussam24 Michael Bachmann

    Sorry if the satire of the post didn’t come across. This is meant to be a joke. :)

  • Greenhxx

    . . . oh im so sorry. how do i delete my post then? :C i even made a twitter account to follow and hate on you for the next few days. :’c my bad bro <3 ur cool in my book.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Clarence-Smith/27310693 Clarence Smith

    I agree with Greenhxx, I just heard this commercial from a TV recording playback while I was in the rest room and thought to myself it was strange to hear Sonic game music in a insurance ad and low and behold it was indeed Sonic in the Progressive ad with Flo. Now if they used some modern Sonic theme song, I probably would have never caught it. But the classic Sonic games are well known for the age demographic Progressive is appealing to. In other words the kids who played Sonic back in the early 90s are now adults needing insurance.

  • http://twitter.com/Gram_Cracker Gram

    My current addiction is watching Progressive ads. Please let me win the contest! #skylanders