In what has to be one of the most unusual publicity-gathering ploys I’ve ever seen, Playboy Magazine has recently announced that they’re going to have their first animated covergirl.  And she’s not Lara Croft, to my amazement.  Nope, instead Playboy is going after the animation fan with their selection of Marge Simpson for the cover.  Really.  Marge Simpson, Playmate.

Now, the Simpsons have been on every product known to man, but this is kind of surprising.  Playboy CEO Scott Flanders (stupid Flanders!) is trying to reach out to a younger demographic with the move, seeking to draw in some 20-somethings with an uncharacteristic move for the Bunny Empire.  When discussing the move, he stated, “It had never been done, and we thought it would be kind of hip, cool and unusual.”  Playboy has had video game characters naked within their pages before, but never cartoon characters.  There’s a first time for everything!

Well, it certainly is unusual, but I’m not sure how hip or cool it might be.  After all, the Simpsons has been on the air for nearly 21 years now, making it the Gunsmoke of animated series.  While the movie was successful, the show’s been kind of under the radar since then.  I think this is a case of the two sides needing one another to drum up a little renewed interest in their respective brands.

Tags: unusual news, marge simpson, the simpsons, first cartoon on the cover of Playboy, Playboy covers, marketing, Scott Flanders

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