Harrah's Cherokee Casinos Appoints David Koechner as Vice President of Party

In partnership with client Harrah's Cherokee Casinos, located in Cherokee and Murphy, NC, 62ABOVE is now launching its new advertising campaign, VP of Party, featuring comedian David Koechner as celebrity spokesperson. The full-service marketing agency, based in San Diego, CA, conceived and fully executed the campaign with the goal of showcasing the excitement and upbeat experiences the resort has to offer.

The campaign positions David as the ‘Vice President of Party’ – a comical, fictional casino employee whose role is to encourage delightful experiences and bring out the party in casino guests and visitors. 

In various videos, David is sporting Harrah’s Cherokee’s signature colour purple while dressed in a sleek suit and matching fedora. Seated behind an executive-style wooden desk with a nameplate on the desk that reads ‘VP of Party’, viewers are introduced to the new celebrity spokesperson amid casino action. David’s waggish personality comes through as he walks through the resort, showcasing restaurants, the casino floor, a hotel room, bars, and more. The tone is playful and witty, conveying the message that the casino resort has something for everyone, and serves as the evolution of the successful Put on Your Party Hat advertising campaign.

“The Put On Your Party Hat campaign has not just been a successful campaign - it’s become part of the ethos at Harrah’s Cherokee,” says Erik Dargitz, creative director at 62ABOVE. “So, as we looked at how to evolve the work, we knew the bar was high. We decided this party needed a host and quickly agreed that David would make the perfect ambassador - an embodiment of the fun-loving, big-energy experience Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos offer.”

David is a well-known actor and comedian, famous for his memorable and sometimes quirky roles. He got his big break as cast member on 'Saturday Night Live' and has since become recognisable for his roles in more than 120 films and television shows, including Todd Packer on 'The Office' and Champ Kind from 'Anchorman' and 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.' 

As the new VP of Party, David Koechner’s first order of business was to ensure the people can party just as hard as the VP himself. Through a social media promotion, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort gave away a FREE, all-inclusive stay to two lucky winners. Winners will receive a two-night stay at Harrah’s for them and one guest, a $200 retail credit, food vouchers to Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar, Gordon Ramsay Food Market, Wicked Weed Brewpub and Starbucks, as well as two, 20 free play vouchers for the casino. 

Not only do guests have the opportunity to vacation like the VP of Party, but starting August 2nd, 2023, casino guests can literally sit at the original VP desk and take photos and videos with the real props used by David Koechner in the infamous commercial. With eccentric props like the chair, party hat, disco ball, party mug, and a backdrop of the casino, guests will be able to promote themselves to VP of Party starting August 2nd through January 2nd, 2024. 

“We are excited to have David Koechner as the face of our new campaign encompassing television, print ads and digital content that encourages visitors of our two properties to have a good time,” says Brian Saunooke, regional vice president of marketing at Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos. “His fun personality and sense of humour pair perfectly with the vibrant and exciting atmosphere guests will experience with us.” 

The new integrated campaign will run across all media channels, including TV, digital, social media, and outdoor display, in markets throughout North and South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.