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Coles says ‘See you later Status Quo’ as Casey Donovan steals the stage

Coles has given its long term promotion partner, UK rock band Status Quo, a break in the latest ad campaign however the supermarket chain has said the band will continue to remain part of the team.

The news follows the death of lead guitarist Rick Parfitt at the end of last year, while a new campaign by Big Red has introduced Casey Donovan as the supermarket’s latest face, with the I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner singing Status Quo’s remake of their song ‘Down, deeper and down’.

Status Quo began working with the brand in 2012, releasing a three minute ad on YouTube, performing a remake of their 1975 hit in the form of a jingle, which featured the infamous Coles red hands.

As part of the partnership, Status Quo toured Australia in 2013, with Coles as their major sponsor.

https://youtu.be/GdV4pr4frd4

In their time with the brand, Status Quo has delivered ‘Down, Down’ ads with ambassadors Curtis Stone and Cathy Freeman, on an iceberg with penguin backing singers, and remade their 1979 hit, Whatever You Want.

https://youtu.be/yLGJttfhht4

In 2014, the brand took a break from the Status Quo inspired jingle, however returned in 2015 adding its ‘every day’ focus to the ‘down, down’ line.

The latest ad from the brand sees a couple watching the original remake with Status Quo on TV.

A man says ‘See you later Status Quo’ before Casey Donovan is revealed on screen, taking over from the UK rock band, with the woman saying ‘Say hello to Casey Donovan.’

The ad pokes fun at consumers’ reaction to the ‘Down, Down’ jingle with a man quipping ‘This is more annoying than the last one” to which his wife responds with “Saving money is never annoying”.

Following the reveal of Donovan in the new ads, Simon McDowell, chief customer officer at Coles said she was a “perfect fit.”

When asked whether Status Quo would continue to be a partner of the brand a spokesperson for Coles said: “Status Quo have been part of our Down Down campaigns for five years and they have helped us establish our brand to be synonymous with lowering prices.

“This partnership is very special to us and they continue to be a part of our team. Casey is the newest member to join the Coles family.”

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