While the kitchen appliance brands gravitate towards celebrity chefs to endorse their appliances, Fisher & Paykel have made a unique ambassador selection, naming a soft toy called Bunny the face of its laundry range.
He is no Jessica Rabbit, but Fisher & Paykel’s new laundry ambassador has been called a “little bit sexy”, as well as the “spokesrabbit” for the new SmartDrive Front Loader washers.
“We believe Bunny is a perfect fit with our brand and perfectly reflects Fisher & Paykel’s values. He’s stylish, a little bit sexy while still being family-centred, and just makes you feel a whole lot better about the simple things in life,” said Fisher & Paykel marketing manager Kara May.
We first met Bunny in a 2011 feel-good television commercial where he is abandoned outdoors and later returned to his natural fluffy white state after a spin in a Fisher & Paykel front loader. Fisher & Paykel also released a knitting pattern for Bunny in 2013.
“Bunny symbolises all those precious items people treasure, like toys or delicate pieces of clothing and we understand people are incredibly disappointed if they emerge from the wash mangled, discoloured or in anything other than pristine condition,” May said.
“These sorts of considerations are at the heart of the Fisher and Paykel design process,” she added.
Not only has Bunny received a promotion, but has also been given a voice (via press release):
My people field many, many requests, but I’m a discriminating rabbit and carefully consider which brands I put my name to. I don’t just do it for the carrots.
Over the years I’ve seen the inside of many a washer and dryer – I’ve been through the wringer, so to speak. I’ve come up against lint, been tangled, and have some most unhappy experiences with colour runs.
So before I put paw to paper to sign a contract I insisted on taking Fisher & Paykel’s washers and dryers for a few test drives, and I hopped away very impressed indeed. These are outstanding laundry appliances.
Bunny’s ambassadorship coincides with the brand’s laundry promotion. Consumers will receive a queen or king-sized Sheridan Deluxe Wool Quilt valued up to RRP $399 when they buy a 7.5 or 8.5 kilogram Fisher and Paykel WashSmart Front Loader and an 8kg AeroXL Condenser Dryer in a single purchase.
As such, Bunny has provided some “doonas and don’ts” for laundering down-filled items:
Machine-washing: Many down- and synthetic- filled items can be washed with low-sudsing, mild detergent preferably without enzymes, especially in a large front-loader. Check the care label of feather- and down-filled doonas in case they are dry-clean only. For washable doonas, make sure the machine has the capacity to allow the item to move around in the drum. Use a gentle cycle.
Hand-washing: Fill a tub with lukewarm water and a little detergent. Gently squeeze soapy water through the item, and drain. Rinse with cool water; repeat until water is clear. Before drying, use a washer’s normal spin cycle to release excess water, or press out water by hand.
Drying down: If washing a big item, first check it will fit in the machine once it’s fluffed up after drying by putting it in the dryer first. Dry down-filled items on tumble-dry low setting. Add a dry hand towel to loads of down-filled outerwear to absorb excess moisture.
After washing: Make sure they are completely dried and aired before use.
Spills: Shake the filling away from the spill or stain before quickly sponging.
Sheridan recommends: Wash Sheridan’s Deluxe Wool Quilt separately before use. Use the bulky wash cycle with wool detergent then line-dry if possible. Do not tumble dry and do not iron or steam. Air once or twice a month and plump up regularly to retain ‘loft’.