H. H. Gregg "H. H." (partially lost advertisements from American retail chain; 2009-2011): Difference between revisions

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H. H. Gregg (stylized as "hhgregg") is an American then-retail chain, now-online store for home appliances and consumer electronics. From 2009 to 2011, the company '''''used a mascot called HH (Also referred to as "h.h." or "hh") for its TV commercials, radio spots and other media'''''. After H. H. Gregg's revival in 2017 from filing for bankruptcy previously the same year, HH was briefly used again on the company's social media and website, although no new commercials were made using him.
H. H. Gregg (stylized as "hhgregg") is an American then-retail chain, now-online store for home appliances and consumer electronics. From 2009 to 2011, the company '''''used a mascot called HH (Also referred to as "h.h." or "hh") for its TV commercials, radio spots and other media'''''. After H. H. Gregg's revival in 2017 from filing for bankruptcy previously the same year, HH was briefly used again on the company's social media and website, although no new commercials were made using him.


HH has the appearance of a rolled-up H. H. Gregg catalog with floating limbs similar in fashion to the video game character Rayman. The mascot was voice acted by Wally Wingert, who also played characters like Jon Arbuckle in ''The Garfield Show'' and Almighty Tallest Red in ''Invader Zim''.<ref>[https://www.wallyontheweb.com/news_voiceover.php WallyOnTheWeb.com: "Voiceover"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> The television commercials mostly featured HH goofing around either inside or outside a H. H. Gregg store, announcing what the retailer has to offer. A common format within the commercials includes HH parodying classic songs like ''The Twelve Days of Christmas''. Another common format starts with HH checking out an item, before a H. H. Gregg employee steps in to boast about the item; all while HH listens in awe. These usually end with HH asking the employee: ''"...Am I supposed to know this stuff?"'', to which the employee answers: ''"No, we are, at H. H. Gregg!"''.
HH has the appearance of a rolled-up H. H. Gregg catalog with floating limbs similar in fashion to the video game character Rayman. The mascot was voice acted by Wally Wingert, who also played characters like Jon Arbuckle in ''The Garfield Show'' and Almighty Tallest Red in ''Invader Zim''.<ref>[https://www.wallyontheweb.com/news_voiceover.php WallyOnTheWeb.com: "Voiceover"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> The television commercials mostly featured HH goofing around either inside or outside an H. H. Gregg store, announcing what the retailer has to offer. A common format within the commercials includes HH parodying classic songs like ''The Twelve Days of Christmas''. Another common format starts with HH checking out an item, before an H. H. Gregg employee steps in to boast about the item; all while HH listens in awe. These usually end with HH asking the employee: ''"...Am I supposed to know this stuff?"'', to which the employee answers: ''"No, we are, at H. H. Gregg!"''.


[[File:HhgreggHH.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Two renders of HH.]]
[[File:HhgreggHH.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Two renders of HH.]]


The character was largely forgotten about after its original run, until 2015, when the Christmas in July Sale 2010 commercial gained attention from meme communities. The commercial features HH standing outside a H. H. Gregg store, singing to the melody of ''Deck the Halls'' about a Panasonic Blu-Ray for $99, a 32-inch LCD TV for $299, and an LG 42-inch HD TV for $489. HH then gets hit by a snowball, which he in response asks: ''"A snowball in July?"'', before finishing his song. The commercial became commonly used in music mash-ups, such as one with the Daft Punk song ''Doin' It Right'' called [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYGTbrYi914 "doin"], which garnered more than half a million views on YouTube. Since gaining meme status, commercials starring HH became fairly sought after.
The character was largely forgotten about after its original run, until 2015, when the Christmas in July Sale 2010 commercial gained attention from meme communities. The commercial features HH standing outside an H. H. Gregg store, singing to the melody of ''Deck the Halls'' about a Panasonic Blu-Ray for $99, a 32-inch LCD TV for $299, and an LG 42-inch HD TV for $489. HH then gets hit by a snowball, which he in response asks: ''"A snowball in July?"'', before finishing his song. The commercial became commonly used in music mash-ups, such as one with the Daft Punk song ''Doin' It Right'' called [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYGTbrYi914 "doin"], which garnered more than half a million views on YouTube. Since gaining meme status, commercials starring HH became fairly sought after.


==History==
==History==
HH's character was made by Zimmerman Advertising and Hinge Digital.<ref>[http://www.liaisonpr.com/news-room/2011/Jun/13/increasing-brand-value-through-animated-spokes-cha/ Liaison PR News Room: "INCREASING BRAND VALUE THROUGH ANIMATED SPOKES-CHARACTERS".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://hellohinge.com/projects/hhgregg-hh-campaign/ Hinge: "hh Campaign"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> H. H. Gregg tasked Zimmerman to "center a campaign around a new spokes-character, to increase the aided and unaided awareness measures". After Zimmerman drew the initial 2D HH designs, they were handed over to Hinge, who refined the character and created an animation test showing HH interacting in a live-action store environment. The HH campaign was then greenlit by H. H. Gregg.
HH's character was made by Zimmerman Advertising and Hinge Digital.<ref>[http://www.liaisonpr.com/news-room/2011/Jun/13/increasing-brand-value-through-animated-spokes-cha/ Liaison PR News Room: "INCREASING BRAND VALUE THROUGH ANIMATED SPOKES-CHARACTERS".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://hellohinge.com/projects/hhgregg-hh-campaign/ Hinge: "hh Campaign"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> H. H. Gregg tasked Zimmerman to "center a campaign around a new spokes-character, to increase the aided and unaided awareness measures". After Zimmerman drew the initial 2D HH designs, they were handed over to Hinge, who refined the character and created an animation test showing HH interacting in a live-action store environment. The HH campaign was then greenlit by H. H. Gregg.


[[File:HhgreggJuly28th.png|thumb|left|500px|H. H. Gregg's old blog post about the mascot's introduction.]]
[[File:HhgreggJuly28th.png|thumb|left|500px|H. H. Gregg's old blog post about the mascot's introduction.]]


The mascot was first announced on H. H. Gregg's blog in July 28th 2009, stating that HH would be introduced "Wednesday afternoon" (the 29th).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803170040/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hh-gregg/0/0/youve-never-met-a-sales-guide-like-hh blog.hhgregg.com: "You've Never Met a Sales Guide Like hh". ] Archived 06 Aug '09</ref> A Facebook account for the mascot called "h.h. Sales Guide" was also created on the 27th. The account would post in-character messages, occasionally sending a YouTube video link for the latest commercials (The videos themselves however are long since deleted).<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/128606428782 hhgregg on Facebook: "Guess who? Hhello!!! I’m on my way to hhgregg..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '09</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100325201807/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hhgregg/0/0/hhgregg-commercials-on-youtube blog.hhgregg.com: "hhgregg Commercials on YouTube".] Archived 25 Mar '10</ref> On the 29th, the first HH commercial was posted, called the "20% Off Sale Commercial".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125958907144 hhgregg on Facebook: "Whew! I'm so relieved to jump off the page in all my 3D glory..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '09</ref> Sometime during 2010, the Facebook account would start posting more professional messages, and the account name was changed to simply "hhgregg".
The mascot was first announced on H. H. Gregg's blog in July 28th, 2009, stating that HH would be introduced "Wednesday afternoon" (the 29th).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090803170040/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hh-gregg/0/0/youve-never-met-a-sales-guide-like-hh blog.hhgregg.com: "You've Never Met a Sales Guide Like hh". ] Archived 06 Aug '09</ref> A Facebook account for the mascot called "h.h. Sales Guide" was also created on the 27th. The account would post in-character messages, occasionally sending a YouTube video link for the latest commercials (The videos themselves however are long since deleted).<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/128606428782 hhgregg on Facebook: "Guess who? Hhello!!! I’m on my way to hhgregg..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '09</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100325201807/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hhgregg/0/0/hhgregg-commercials-on-youtube blog.hhgregg.com: "hhgregg Commercials on YouTube".] Archived 25 Mar '10</ref> On the 29th, the first HH commercial was posted, called the "20% Off Sale Commercial".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125958907144 hhgregg on Facebook: "Whew! I'm so relieved to jump off the page in all my 3D glory..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '09</ref> Sometime during 2010, the Facebook account would start posting more professional messages, and the account name was changed to simply "hhgregg".


HH's retirement can be linked to H. H. Gregg starting up another advertising campaign called "We Help".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/10150196831654321 hhgregg on Facebook: "You've seen our new commercial, now take a look at what happened..."] Retrieved 04 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/business/media/01adco.html The New York Times: "Appliance Retailer Turns the Spotlight on Its Staff".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhcJAgUwwmU One of the commercials used for the "We Help" campaign.] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> The campaign started around mid-May 2011. HH was slowly phased out of the website during this time period and the YouTube account was also wiped.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/10150291198824321 hhgregg on Facebook: "Check out our new-and-improved site, and let us know what you think..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090808185335/http://www.youtube.com/hhgreggblog H. H. Gregg's YouTube, around the time HH first appeared.] Archived 08 Aug '09</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110521053249/http://www.youtube.com/hhgregg H. H. Gregg's YouTube, after "We Help" was launched.] Archived 21 May '11</ref> No official statement on HH's retirement has been made by the company.
HH's retirement can be linked to H. H. Gregg starting up another advertising campaign called "We Help".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/10150196831654321 hhgregg on Facebook: "You've seen our new commercial, now take a look at what happened..."] Retrieved 04 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/business/media/01adco.html The New York Times: "Appliance Retailer Turns the Spotlight on Its Staff".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhcJAgUwwmU One of the commercials used for the "We Help" campaign.] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> The campaign started around mid-May 2011. HH was slowly phased out of the website during this time period and the YouTube account was also wiped.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/10150291198824321 hhgregg on Facebook: "Check out our new-and-improved site, and let us know what you think..."] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090808185335/http://www.youtube.com/hhgreggblog H. H. Gregg's YouTube, around the time HH first appeared.] Archived 08 Aug '09</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110521053249/http://www.youtube.com/hhgregg H. H. Gregg's YouTube, after "We Help" was launched.] Archived 21 May '11</ref> No official statement on HH's retirement has been made by the company.
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==Availability==
==Availability==
Interviews of Hinge and Zimmerman Advertising state that "over 34 spots" were created starring HH.<ref>[https://hellohinge.com/post-magazine-promoting-a-brand-with-character/ Hinge: "Post magazine “Promoting a brand with character”"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> Another production company, Blackbird VFX (named iGlooVFX at the time), created 5 additional commercials using HH during 2010, all already uploaded.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180131230444/http://www.blackbirdvfx.com/projects/hh-gregg-mascot/ BlackbirdVFX.com: "HH Gregg Mascot".] Archived 12 Jan '18</ref>   
Interviews of Hinge and Zimmerman Advertising state that "over 34 spots" were created starring HH.<ref>[https://hellohinge.com/post-magazine-promoting-a-brand-with-character/ Hinge: "Post magazine “Promoting a brand with character”"] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> Another production company, Blackbird VFX (named iGlooVFX at the time), created 5 additional commercials using HH during 2010, all already uploaded.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180131230444/http://www.blackbirdvfx.com/projects/hh-gregg-mascot/ BlackbirdVFX.com: "HH Gregg Mascot".] Archived 12 Jan '18</ref>   


One of the identified lost ads is for an "after thanksgiving sale", in which HH connects an extension cord (which he manages to electrocute himself with) to power on a screen that reads out "hhgregg appliances & electronics - AFTER THANKSGIVING SALE". A clip of this survives by a disgruntled viewer, who uploaded the commercial with an edit that loops the electrocuting bit through the whole 30 seconds runtime.
One of the identified lost ads is for an "after thanksgiving sale", in which HH connects an extension cord (which he manages to electrocute himself with) to power on a screen that reads out "hhgregg appliances & electronics - AFTER THANKSGIVING SALE". A clip of this survives by a disgruntled viewer, who uploaded the commercial with an edit that loops the electrocuting bit through the whole 30 seconds runtime.


HH also reportedly starred in radio spots. An user at CommercialsIHate.com claims to have heard a radio version of the Red Tag Sale 2009 commercial "about 12 times in the last 2 days".<ref>[http://www.commercialsihate.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6496&PID=107756&title=hh-gregg-singing-icepick#107756 CommercialsIHate.com thread, "HH Gregg singing icepick".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> It is unknown how many of these were made.
HH also reportedly starred in radio spots. A user at CommercialsIHate.com claims to have heard a radio version of the Red Tag Sale 2009 commercial "about 12 times in the last 2 days".<ref>[http://www.commercialsihate.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6496&PID=107756&title=hh-gregg-singing-icepick#107756 CommercialsIHate.com thread, "HH Gregg singing icepick".] Retrieved 06 Aug '19</ref> It is unknown how many of these were made.


As of August 6th 2019, 18 out of the 34+ TV commercials starring HH have been found. 2 other incomplete ones have been also found. A handful of lost commercials have been identified by searching through H. H. Gregg's Facebook page.
As of August 6th, 2019, 18 out of the 34+ TV commercials starring HH have been found. 2 other incomplete ones have been also found. A handful of lost commercials have been identified by searching through H. H. Gregg's Facebook page.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|20% Off Sale #1/"On the Same Page"||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ol3AVqMxY <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125958907144 Facebook post for the ad.]
|20% Off Sale #1/"On the Same Page"||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7ol3AVqMxY <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125958907144 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|20% Off Sale #2||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/176487626528 Facebook post for the ad.] The post implies HH says nothing more than "20% off" while wearing a hat.
|20% Off Sale #2||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/176487626528 Facebook post for the ad.] The post implies HH says nothing more than "20% off" while wearing a hat.
|-
|-
|20% Off Sale #3/"I'm Stuffed"||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDIXNMzfooU <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/326793644527 Facebook post for the ad.]
|20% Off Sale #3/"I'm Stuffed"||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDIXNMzfooU <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/326793644527 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|33-Hour Sale April 21-23 2011||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://web.archive.org/web/20110501161225/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hhgregg/hhgregg-33-hour-sale Blog post about the ad.] This is probably HH's last appearance.
|33-Hour Sale April 21-23 2011||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://web.archive.org/web/20110501161225/http://blog.hhgregg.com/blog/hhgregg/hhgregg-33-hour-sale Blog post about the ad.] This is probably HH's last appearance.
|-
|-
|4th of July Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/128592110511345 Facebook post for the ad.]
|4th of July Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/128592110511345 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|After Thanksgiving Sale 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efyEgwvP0Nw  <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>]||Edited by the uploader to loop a 1-second clip. Uploader claims to have ripped the commercial off the old website, but has not uploaded the full version when asked.
|After Thanksgiving Sale 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efyEgwvP0Nw  <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>]||Edited by the uploader to loop a 1-second clip. Uploader claims to have ripped the commercial off the old website, but has not uploaded the full version when asked.
|-
|-
|Baltimore, MD Grand Opening||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/117142598307192 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Baltimore, MD Grand Opening||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/117142598307192 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Christmas in July Sale 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJzt8L_i7_U  <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|Christmas in July Sale 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJzt8L_i7_U  <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|-
|-
|Coupon Mania 2009||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/132549764622 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Coupon Mania 2009||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/132549764622 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Employee Discount||[https://vimeo.com/10466064 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
|Employee Discount||[https://vimeo.com/10466064 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
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|Markdown Madness Sale March 21-27 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1yAssXPupc <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/104426459590649 Facebook post for the ad.] Alternatively known as "Mark it Down".
|Markdown Madness Sale March 21-27 2010||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1yAssXPupc <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/104426459590649 Facebook post for the ad.] Alternatively known as "Mark it Down".
|-
|-
|Markdown Madness Sale June 20-26 2010||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/133745636643424 Facebook post for the ad.] Probably a variant of the original.
|Markdown Madness Sale June 20-26 2010||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/133745636643424 Facebook post for the ad.] Probably a variant of the original.
|-
|-
|Memorial Day Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125588347460671 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Memorial Day Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/125588347460671 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|New Whirlpool Washer & Dryer||[https://vimeo.com/9683447 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
|New Whirlpool Washer & Dryer||[https://vimeo.com/9683447 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
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|Play Call||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-f7Z1tkxV4 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|Play Call||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-f7Z1tkxV4 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|-
|-
|Presidents' Day 2010 Sale||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/306061564409 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Presidents' Day 2010 Sale||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/306061564409 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Red Tag Sale 2009||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bBBQYt0sDI <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|Red Tag Sale 2009||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bBBQYt0sDI <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|-
|-
|Samsung Four Seasons of Hope Foundation Commercial||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/156887920616 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Samsung Four Seasons of Hope Foundation Commercial||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/156887920616 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Serta Mattresses||[https://vimeo.com/9684145 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
|Serta Mattresses||[https://vimeo.com/9684145 <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||Created by iGlooVFX.
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|Sharp Quattron LED TV||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrlO0d6k2U <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|Sharp Quattron LED TV||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrlO0d6k2U <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|-
|-
|Super Sale XLIV||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/296197499030 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Super Sale XLIV||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/296197499030 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Tent Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/107301345975350 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Tent Sale 2010||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/107301345975350 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Whirlpool Cabrio Mark It Down||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/122458924449324 Facebook post for the ad.]
|Whirlpool Cabrio Mark It Down||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span>||[https://www.facebook.com/hhgregg/posts/122458924449324 Facebook post for the ad.]
|-
|-
|Whirlpool Side-by-Side XXL Refridgerator||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGH2LWb0N9s <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|Whirlpool Side-by-Side XXL Refridgerator||[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGH2LWb0N9s <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>]||
|}
|}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
 
{{Video|perrow  =2
{{Video|perrow  =3
   |service1    =youtube
   |service1    = <!-- empty -->
   |id1          =piIfzDhWd7g
   |id1          = <!-- empty -->
   |description1 =TV banner ad for H. H. Gregg's "Red Tag Sale" which uses HH.
   |description1 = <!-- empty -->
   |service2     =
  |service2    =youtube
   |id2         =
  |id2          =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piIfzDhWd7g
   |description2 =[[File:HhgreggPresidentsDay2010.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Promotional picture for the Presidents' Day 2010 Sale found on the archived blog. The TV ad for this sale is missing.]]
  |description2 =TV banner ad for H. H. Gregg's "Red Tag Sale" which uses HH.
   |service3     = <!-- empty -->
   |id3         = <!-- empty -->
   |description3 = <!-- empty -->
}}
}}
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px>
File:HhgreggPresidentsDay2010.jpg|Promotional picture for the Presidents' Day 2010 Sale found on the archived blog. The TV ad for this sale is missing.
</gallery>
==External Link==
==External Link==
 
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Gregg The Wikipedia page on H. H. Gregg.] Retrieved 06 Aug '19
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Gregg H. H. Gregg on Wikipedia.] Retrieved 06 Aug '19


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Lost advertising and interstitial material]]
[[Category:Lost advertising and interstitial material]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Lost animation]]
[[Category:Lost audio]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Lost TV]]
[[Category:Lost audio]]
[[Category:Partially lost media]]
[[Category:Partially lost media]]

Revision as of 17:33, 9 August 2019

HhgreggAfterThanksgivingSale.png

A screenshot from one of the incomplete ads.

Status: Partially Lost

H. H. Gregg (stylized as "hhgregg") is an American then-retail chain, now-online store for home appliances and consumer electronics. From 2009 to 2011, the company used a mascot called HH (Also referred to as "h.h." or "hh") for its TV commercials, radio spots and other media. After H. H. Gregg's revival in 2017 from filing for bankruptcy previously the same year, HH was briefly used again on the company's social media and website, although no new commercials were made using him.

HH has the appearance of a rolled-up H. H. Gregg catalog with floating limbs similar in fashion to the video game character Rayman. The mascot was voice acted by Wally Wingert, who also played characters like Jon Arbuckle in The Garfield Show and Almighty Tallest Red in Invader Zim.[1] The television commercials mostly featured HH goofing around either inside or outside an H. H. Gregg store, announcing what the retailer has to offer. A common format within the commercials includes HH parodying classic songs like The Twelve Days of Christmas. Another common format starts with HH checking out an item, before an H. H. Gregg employee steps in to boast about the item; all while HH listens in awe. These usually end with HH asking the employee: "...Am I supposed to know this stuff?", to which the employee answers: "No, we are, at H. H. Gregg!".

Two renders of HH.

The character was largely forgotten about after its original run, until 2015, when the Christmas in July Sale 2010 commercial gained attention from meme communities. The commercial features HH standing outside an H. H. Gregg store, singing to the melody of Deck the Halls about a Panasonic Blu-Ray for $99, a 32-inch LCD TV for $299, and an LG 42-inch HD TV for $489. HH then gets hit by a snowball, which he in response asks: "A snowball in July?", before finishing his song. The commercial became commonly used in music mash-ups, such as one with the Daft Punk song Doin' It Right called "doin", which garnered more than half a million views on YouTube. Since gaining meme status, commercials starring HH became fairly sought after.

History

HH's character was made by Zimmerman Advertising and Hinge Digital.[2][3] H. H. Gregg tasked Zimmerman to "center a campaign around a new spokes-character, to increase the aided and unaided awareness measures". After Zimmerman drew the initial 2D HH designs, they were handed over to Hinge, who refined the character and created an animation test showing HH interacting in a live-action store environment. The HH campaign was then greenlit by H. H. Gregg.

H. H. Gregg's old blog post about the mascot's introduction.

The mascot was first announced on H. H. Gregg's blog in July 28th, 2009, stating that HH would be introduced "Wednesday afternoon" (the 29th).[4] A Facebook account for the mascot called "h.h. Sales Guide" was also created on the 27th. The account would post in-character messages, occasionally sending a YouTube video link for the latest commercials (The videos themselves however are long since deleted).[5][6] On the 29th, the first HH commercial was posted, called the "20% Off Sale Commercial".[7] Sometime during 2010, the Facebook account would start posting more professional messages, and the account name was changed to simply "hhgregg".

HH's retirement can be linked to H. H. Gregg starting up another advertising campaign called "We Help".[8][9][10] The campaign started around mid-May 2011. HH was slowly phased out of the website during this time period and the YouTube account was also wiped.[11][12][13] No official statement on HH's retirement has been made by the company.

The last TV commercial to be caught on internet archives before the "We Help" campaign is the "33-Hour Sale" commercial for April 21-23th 2011.[14] This is assumed to be the final commercial starring HH.

Availability

Interviews of Hinge and Zimmerman Advertising state that "over 34 spots" were created starring HH.[15] Another production company, Blackbird VFX (named iGlooVFX at the time), created 5 additional commercials using HH during 2010, all already uploaded.[16]

One of the identified lost ads is for an "after thanksgiving sale", in which HH connects an extension cord (which he manages to electrocute himself with) to power on a screen that reads out "hhgregg appliances & electronics - AFTER THANKSGIVING SALE". A clip of this survives by a disgruntled viewer, who uploaded the commercial with an edit that loops the electrocuting bit through the whole 30 seconds runtime.

HH also reportedly starred in radio spots. A user at CommercialsIHate.com claims to have heard a radio version of the Red Tag Sale 2009 commercial "about 12 times in the last 2 days".[17] It is unknown how many of these were made.

As of August 6th, 2019, 18 out of the 34+ TV commercials starring HH have been found. 2 other incomplete ones have been also found. A handful of lost commercials have been identified by searching through H. H. Gregg's Facebook page.

Name Status Notes
12 Deals of Xmas Found
New 125th Store Found Created by iGlooVFX.
20% Off Sale #1/"On the Same Page" Found Facebook post for the ad.
20% Off Sale #2 Lost Facebook post for the ad. The post implies HH says nothing more than "20% off" while wearing a hat.
20% Off Sale #3/"I'm Stuffed" Found Facebook post for the ad.
33-Hour Sale April 21-23 2011 Lost Blog post about the ad. This is probably HH's last appearance.
4th of July Sale 2010 Lost Facebook post for the ad.
After Thanksgiving Sale 2010 Partially Found Edited by the uploader to loop a 1-second clip. Uploader claims to have ripped the commercial off the old website, but has not uploaded the full version when asked.
Baltimore, MD Grand Opening Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Christmas in July Sale 2010 Found
Coupon Mania 2009 Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Employee Discount Found Created by iGlooVFX.
Frigidaire Infinity Washer Found Bad quality.
HH Private Sale Found Created by iGlooVFX. Possible Facebook post for the ad.
Markdown Madness Sale March 20-26 2011 Partially Lost Facebook post for the ad. Low quality recording from a camcorder. ~1 second missing from the beginning.
Markdown Madness Sale March 21-27 2010 Found Facebook post for the ad. Alternatively known as "Mark it Down".
Markdown Madness Sale June 20-26 2010 Lost Facebook post for the ad. Probably a variant of the original.
Memorial Day Sale 2010 Lost Facebook post for the ad.
New Whirlpool Washer & Dryer Found Created by iGlooVFX.
New Year's Event\"Confetti Fantasy" Found
Panasonic "Larger Than Life" HDTVs Found Bad quality.
Panasonic Viera 3D TV Found
Play Call Found
Presidents' Day 2010 Sale Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Red Tag Sale 2009 Found
Samsung Four Seasons of Hope Foundation Commercial Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Serta Mattresses Found Created by iGlooVFX.
Sharp Quattron LED TV Found
Super Sale XLIV Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Tent Sale 2010 Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Whirlpool Cabrio Mark It Down Lost Facebook post for the ad.
Whirlpool Side-by-Side XXL Refridgerator Found

Gallery

TV banner ad for H. H. Gregg's "Red Tag Sale" which uses HH.

Promotional picture for the Presidents' Day 2010 Sale found on the archived blog. The TV ad for this sale is missing.

External Link

References

  1. ↑ WallyOnTheWeb.com: "Voiceover" Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  2. ↑ Liaison PR News Room: "INCREASING BRAND VALUE THROUGH ANIMATED SPOKES-CHARACTERS". Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  3. ↑ Hinge: "hh Campaign" Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  4. ↑ blog.hhgregg.com: "You've Never Met a Sales Guide Like hh". Archived 06 Aug '09
  5. ↑ hhgregg on Facebook: "Guess who? Hhello!!! I’m on my way to hhgregg..." Retrieved 06 Aug '09
  6. ↑ blog.hhgregg.com: "hhgregg Commercials on YouTube". Archived 25 Mar '10
  7. ↑ hhgregg on Facebook: "Whew! I'm so relieved to jump off the page in all my 3D glory..." Retrieved 06 Aug '09
  8. ↑ hhgregg on Facebook: "You've seen our new commercial, now take a look at what happened..." Retrieved 04 Aug '19
  9. ↑ The New York Times: "Appliance Retailer Turns the Spotlight on Its Staff". Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  10. ↑ One of the commercials used for the "We Help" campaign. Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  11. ↑ hhgregg on Facebook: "Check out our new-and-improved site, and let us know what you think..." Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  12. ↑ H. H. Gregg's YouTube, around the time HH first appeared. Archived 08 Aug '09
  13. ↑ H. H. Gregg's YouTube, after "We Help" was launched. Archived 21 May '11
  14. ↑ blog.hhgregg.com: "hhgregg 33-Hour Sale". Archived 01 May '11
  15. ↑ Hinge: "Post magazine “Promoting a brand with character”" Retrieved 06 Aug '19
  16. ↑ BlackbirdVFX.com: "HH Gregg Mascot". Archived 12 Jan '18
  17. ↑ CommercialsIHate.com thread, "HH Gregg singing icepick". Retrieved 06 Aug '19
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