Progressive's Jeff Charney named Ad Age A-List Brand CMO of the Year

Just over a year ago, Dr. Rick, the “Parental Life Coach” character from insurer Progressive, knocked on the figurative door of Americans stuck at home under pandemic lockdown, and they were more than happy to let him in. Appearing in a series of commercials designed to prevent people from turning into their parents, his tough-love advice, featuring gems like “If you have nowhere to sit, you have too many [pillows]” and “Guess what, the waiter doesn’t need to know your name” resonated with consumers at a time when they needed it most. It also helped win over customers for the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based Progressive in the uber-competitive insurance landscape.