MINNEAPOLIS, MN (November 19, 2004) -This year, Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey and his trusty steed Ben are spreading the word and holiday cheer for a good cause. The Nachos Navidad® celebration, which is tied to a national cause-marketing program, will be available at Taco John's across the country from November 15 through January 2, 2005.  Minneapolis-based ad agency Kerker created the spot, which begins airing November 22 in many markets.

In this spot, Whiplash strings lights around a Christmas tree in front of Taco John's.  At the end, we see the lights are only strung "cowboy monkey high," about 3 feet off the ground.  Whiplash is accompanied with the musical talent of six-time Grammy winner Jose Feliciano.  Feliciano sings his customized version of "Feliz Navidad."  Taco John's has celebrated the holidays with Feliciano's music and voiceover for the past eight years. 

Nachos Navidad® is a festive nacho dish prepared with plenty of crunchy, fresh-made red, green, and regular corn chips, piled high and topped with Taco John's specially-seasoned beef, beans, guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, nacho cheese sauce and black olives.

"We thought our biggest challenge would be to keep the spirit of Taco John's holiday classic TV spot alive while bringing in the added smile of Whiplash's simian decorating efforts.  Turns out our biggest challenge was to keep Whiplash from climbing the fir tree during the shoot," said Chris Preston, Kerker's creative director.

Nachos Navidad® has become the longest running and most successful promotion in Taco John's history.  Participating Taco John's franchises contribute a portion of each sale to a local charity under the "Eat Until it Helps" campaign banner.  Nationally, Taco John's restaurants have raised more than $100,000 through the annual promotion.

"Our franchise owners are good citizens in their communities and give back in many ways.  They know that it doesn't take a lot of effort to help others, it just takes a lot of caring," said Brian Dixon, Taco John's vice president of marketing.  "This year with Whiplash and Ben, we'll continue to draw attention to this fundraising initiative by celebrating that message with point of purchase displays and localized broadcast messages."

The introduction of Nachos Navidad® gave Taco John's the opportunity to tie fundraising to its founding philosophy of providing service to customers and community.  Advertising for Nachos Navidad® promotes not only the product but also the charitable contribution.

The popular promotion got underway after Taco John's franchisee Mike Sartwell's daughter was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States.  Sartwell is the owner-operator of Preferred Restaurant Group in Minot, ND.  His stores include five Taco John's restaurants in the western part of the state.  Taco John's implemented the program after Sartell addressed the national Taco John's franchisee convention and shared his daughter's courageous story.

"Mike's daughter was our inspiration and his fellow franchisee owners joined in to unleash Taco John's community spirit.  The motivation behind Nachos Navidad® has captured our hearts.  We're proud of the campaign's legacy and especially proud of the generous manner in which our customers lend their support each year," said Paul Fisherkeller, president of Taco John's International. 

This year, Taco John's franchisees will participate in a half-dozen charities across the Taco John's landscape.

Taco John's operates and franchises more than 400 quick-service restaurants in 27 states.  Independently owned and operated, the business opened its first restaurant in 1969.  This year marks the 35^th anniversary of serving tasty tacos across the country.  Taco John's prides itself on serving generous portions, menu items prepared fresh to your order, high quality ingredients, and special West-Mex recipes, seasonings and sauces. 

Kerker is a full-service agency providing advertising, public relations, direct marketing, promotion, interactive, design and research for a broad range of local, national and global clients.  Kerker clients include 3M, Johnsonville Sausage, RSM McGladrey, Piper Jaffray, Taco John's, United Sugars Corporation and the YMCA.  Kerker is a partner of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world's largest strategic business network of multi-local entrepreneurial, owner-operated marketing and communications firms.

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Source: Taco Johns