Idaho Potato Commission Debuts TV Spot

The Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) kicked off this year’s harvest season with a new television commercial featuring the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck and Idaho potato farmer Mark Coombs (left). The spot debuted on ESPN during Boise State University’s first game of the year on Aug. 31, and will air on national cable stations between the end of October and early 2013.

“With an abundant harvest, a promising football season for our fantastic Idaho teams and an array of exciting initiatives planned, we’re eager to start the year with a fresh and funny commercial that’s different from anything we’ve produced in the past,” said Frank Muir, president and CEO for the Eagle, Idaho-based IPC. “This spot stars one of our own growers and captures the amazing time we’ve had taking the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck on tour across America.”

The commercial features Coombs standing in his family-owned field in Caldwell, Idaho, requesting help in finding the Great Big Idaho Potato Truck that left months ago on its cross-country tour to celebrate the IPC’s 75th anniversary. Coombs’ narration underscores shots from the Truck’s tour, including the six-ton spud speeding past skyscrapers, highways, and cheering fans.

The IPC will launch a new commercial annually to kick off each year’s harvest. The 2012 season is well underway and more than 12 billion pounds of potatoes are expected to be harvested.

In keeping with its promotional efforts, the IPC will continue to work with its longtime spokesperson, fitness guru Denise Austin.  As she has done for the past nine years, Austin will remind consumers of the importance of eating a balanced diet that includes nutrient-dense, carbohydrate-rich foods like Idaho potatoes.

For more information, visit the IPC’s official website, Facebook page or Twitter.