The Puttermans

Directed by Barry Sonnenfield[?], The Puttermans starred in a series of commercials for Duracell Batteries[?] in the 1990s. Made to combat the successful Energizer Bunny[?] ad campaign, the Puttermans were a family of plastic robots, who outlast the others, thanks to their Duracell brand batteries. The company slogan was "No battery is stronger longer."

In a campaign by ad man Steven Johnson[?], of New York-based firm, the Ogilvy & Mathers Agency[?]. The actors were made up to look as if they were clay animation[?] or computer animation cartoon characters. The costumes consisted of boxy modular units of stiff foam rubber[?], coated with urethane[?]. Their faces were made of state-of-the-art latex prosthetics, and complete character wardrobes.

The family consisted of:

• Herb, the father
• Flo, his wife, the mother
• Son Zack
• Daughter Trish
• Grandma Putterman, who was actually played by a male actor.

Each character had a large copper top battery protruding from their backs. The actor identities were not revealed, to perserve the family's mystique.

Some of the earlier commercials included:

• The Puttermans attend a family reunion[?] picnic. A talkative relative falls face first into a plate of spaghetti, and the Puttermans remark that he was obviously not a Duracell.
• Trish Putterman and boyfriend Bruce sit on a porch swing, and hope that their romantic night could go on forever, with the help of Duracell.
• Grandma Putterman is so filled with energy, she can't stop dancing.

In all, these characters tended to creepy out viewers, due to their non-human yet non-toy or cartoon appearance, and the series of commericals were abandoned.

Halloween costumes with latex masks, of Herb and Flo were released in North America.