New La-Z-Boy® Commercial Features "Loverly" Singing Creature

Furniture World Magazine

Henry Higgins may have taught Eliza Doolittle to speak correctly, but La-Z-Boy® has taught raccoons to sing. Wendall and Al, the loveable LA-Z-BOY spokes-animals, are appearing in living rooms everywhere, and they're crooning about the loverly home furnishings from the world's leading producer of upholstered furniture Set to steal hearts across America once again, the mischievous raccoons' newest television gig features the pair peeking into the window of a warm, cozy home, longing to be inside the room they see full of LA-Z-BOY furniture. Outside in the dark night, the duo sits on the windowsill watching enviously as the family dog curls up in the comfort of a plush LA-Z-BOY recliner. Moved to song, they express their dream of comfort through the lyrics of "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from the hit musical, My Fair Lady. All I want is a room somewhere far away from the cold night air with one enormous chair. Oh, wouldn't it be loverly? This marks the first time an advertiser has ever been granted a license to use a Lerner & Low show tune. "We decided to produce another Wendall and Al spot based on the overwhelming response we received from the first one," said Kevin R. Wixted, director of advertising and public relations for La-Z-Boy Incorporated. "We chose this concept because it's warm, charming and inviting. What are the chances of finding a song with lyrics so perfect and a tune so infectious you hum it all day? The song says everything about the furniture we would want to say. " Wendall and Al were introduced in 1996 and rose to commercial stardom by showing off the entire La-Z-Boy product line. This sequel spot will reinforce the message that not only does La-Z-Boy make America's favorite recliners, but also a wide assortment of furniture for the living room and family room. "To create the appropriate atmosphere for the commercial, set design was crucial," said Wixted. "Great care went into creating the perfect room to contrast with the dark, cold night outside. The sofa and loveseat featured in the commercial are covered in top grain leather and the coordinating La-Z-Boy reclining chair is one of our most beautiful, as well as popular. The new commercials are scheduled to launch on the major television networks September 13 and run through mid-October on such popular morning programs as "Today," "Good Morning America" and "CBS Morning News," as well as prime time programs including " Dateline, Veronica 's Closet, Nash Bridges " and " 60 Minutes 2. " The spots also will air throughout the day on a wide range of cable networks ranging from Lifetime, A&E and Nick at Nite to Martha Stewart Living, HGTV and the Food Network.