Cool Kids on Will Ferrell: He’s our guy for the swimsuit issue

February 19th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

So, Will Ferrell has used the same bit for, I don’t know, some time now. You know, the “hey, I’m a wacky character wearing wacky clothes — or maybe even a mustache! — and I’m going to say odd, yet hilarious one-liners to you or maybe directly into the camera. Ha! I am funny.” It’s a bit I feel I would tire of. This is not the case, however. I enjoy these new Bud Light and Old Spice commercials; I will go see Semi-Pro. Hey, why not? Seems funny enough. I suppose Ferrell’s ideology of not diverging from what made him great in the first place is probably the way to go. (Just like Ozzie!)

Anyways, Ferrell is down with the 21-35 key demographic. This we know. But man, I didn’t know he was this well liked.

In focus groups convened before Sports Illustrated made its deal with Ferrell, young males said “get the guys out” of the swimsuit issue, said Andrew Judelson, the chief marketing officer for the magazine.

They didn’t want famous athletes posing with their swimsuited girlfriends or wives, as in the past, but they didn’t mind seeing the right male.

“We asked if we got a funny or relevant guy who resonated with them, like Will Ferrell, and they said he’s funny and he’s in movies we love going to,” Judelson said.

If I’m ever in one of these focus groups, I’m just going to tell them I want to see a whole movie of Will Ferrell drinking coffee with a monkey. Hey, they pay you no matter what your answers.