The Peculiar Tale of FedEx’s “Jenkins” at the Super Bowl
In the arena of epic game-day spectacle, FedEx sent us a delightfully odd memo in 2004, disguised as a Super Bowl commercial titled “Jenkins”. Imagine—an alien in cubicle form, armed with a spreadsheet and the most convincing shipping pitch the cosmos had ever seen.
The Plot That Made Earthlings Nod
Two office drones approach Jenkins, fidgeting in suspicion:
“Listen, Jenkins… we know you’re an alien.”
Jenkins is revealed—a figure clad in the most mundane button-down and tie, with a cardboard cut-out face affixed to his head and a tiny speaker blasting his sole line:
“Why don’t we use FedEx?”
The boss arrives, grim about packages, and Jenkins delivers that stellar shipping solution once more. The boss approves; the accusers scurry away, flummoxed. Logistics as intergalactic diplomacy :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
The Earthly Minds Behind the Cosmic Comedy
This tiny masterpiece was crafted by advertising giants:
- Agency: BBDO New York
- Director: Frank Todaro
- Writer: Jim Lemaitre
- Executive Creative Director: Eric Silver
- Chief Creative Officer: Ted Sann
- Art Director: Matt Vescovo
- Production Company: @radical.media
All assembled with cosmic timing to deliver a half-minute of absurdly effective marketing :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
A Glimpse at the Galactic Stage: FedEx and the Super Bowl
FedEx has made no secret of its Super Bowl ambitions—sending packages of wit, surprise, and brand recall directly into America’s halftime snacks. In a battlefield of cleverness, “Jenkins” stands out with its deadpan cosmic absurdity and razor-slice timing. It’s the sort of spot that whispers, “Yes, even beings from distant galaxies know: FedEx handles things”—and then promptly exits stage left.
Where D.C. Douglas Steps In… or Doesn’t
You’ve suggested that the face on the alien mask may be D.C. Douglas. Regrettably, that remains within the realm of delightful rumor; no high-authority sources corroborate this claim. Until such evidence emerges, we must salute the myth with a raised eyebrow—and carry on shipping fiction out of these offices.
Final Thoughts That Do Not Say “In Conclusion”
In a world stuffed with flashy Super Bowl extravaganzas, “Jenkins” is the quiet one in the corner—mildly suspicious, bizarrely practical, and entirely unforgettable. If an alien ever walks into your office suggesting better logistics, you’ll know who inspired him.
