Old El Paso in 3m spoof election drive

Pillsbury is supporting its Mexican food brand Old El Paso with a 3m advertising and PR campaign featuring a spoof electoral candidate, Tortilla Ted.

Like the now infamous Tory chicken, Ted will join the electoral bandwagon, following candidates around the country.

Ted will feature in the TV and radio campaign by Leo Burnett which breaks on April 14. The drive, dubbed Party, is in the style of a party political broadcast and carries the strapline “Back to basics, the fajita is in your hands.” It will run on Channel 4, Channel 5 and Virgin AM and FM.

The TV ad will also feature an 0800 number enabling viewers to ask for a spoof manifesto and recipes.

Closer to May 1, two Old El Paso battle buses will follow the Labour and Tory entourage. Tortilla Ted will appear touting banners with joke campaign messages – Old El Paso marketing manager Kathy Hogg says one idea is to parade a “More cheese, no more sleaze” banner outside Piers Merchant’s house.

There will also be a flyposting push in London and nationwide sampling.