Videos: Ford hires wisecracking, handsy puppet to promote 2012 Focus

Ford is very excited about its all-new 2012 Focus. The model will be the focus of a major advertising campaign moving forward, and the automaker has apparently decided to hire a spokesperson to travel the country and talk all-things Focus. Well, we say 'spokesperson,' but Ford is going in a very weird direction here because they've enlisted the help of a puppet... named Doug.

If you think that sounds ridiculous, you're not alone. We first heard the concept and nearly spit coffee straight into the screens of our laptops. Then Ford shared the first videos and we again nearly spit out our coffee... because the first clips are hilarious thanks to Doug's waggish and flirty behavior.

It's not easy to make a puppet funny, but Ford has gone out and hired some serious talent. The director of the first clip, which you can see after the jump, is none other than Paul Feig. He was a writer on Freaks and Geeks and has directed episodes of The Office, Parks and Recreation, Weeds, 30 Rock and Arrested Development. Paul is not alone on this project, however, as the collective resume of the writing team is filled with titles like The Simpsons, Borat, Reno 911 and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

The first clip features Ford 'officials' announcing Doug as its new spokesperson. John Ross Bowie, writer for the campaign and otherwise known as Barry Kripke on Big Bang Theory, plays the role of Doug's handler. Ford found Doug after he was seen in a series of clips that went viral. Doug foiled a robber, saved someone having a heart attack on a bus and helped a woman choking in a restaurant. Click past the jump to watch the three Focus videos, along with a brace of other Doug videos.

[Source: Ford]
Ford announces Doug as its spokesperson of the 2012 Focus


Ford spokespuppet Doug tours the 2012 Ford Focus' exterior


Ford spokespuppet Doug tours the 2012 Ford Focus' interior



Doug is caught on tape as he stops a person robbing a convenience store


Doug saves a passenger on bus who has having a heart attack


Doug saves a choking woman in a restaurant