Posts tagged Aleksandr Orlov

Poster for Alek's latest hollywood blockbuster

We have not spoken to our old friend Aleksandr Orlov, founder of comparethemeerkat.com, for some time so we thought today that we would see how he is getting on. He has been a busy Meerkat lately, thanks to the success of his latest Hollywood blockbusting advertisement. Busy indeed, as he entertains more than 600,000 Facebook friends and 31,000 Twitter followers each day from his stately home in Moscow. He is also still on the publicity trail for his first Hollywood film The Journey of Courageousness. “It’s the best 60-second independent meerkat adventure film of all time,” Orlov says. “This movie is a claw-biting edge-of-seat thrill-ride.”

Aleksandr is most famous for his television commercials. Aided by his bespectacled sidekick Sergei, and dressed in a smoking jacket, Aleksandr explains in his broken English the difference between his dating website comparethemeerkat.com (“size, hobbies, interests, etc”) and comparethemarket.com (“for cheap car insurance”).

Aleksandr himself has become a media phenomenon; Harrods produced replica Aleksandr Orlov soft toys this Christmas (when you squeeze his tummy he says his catchphrase “simples, meeep”). Meanwhile, pet shops across Britain have been bombarded with requests for Meerkats. Last February, Aleksandr made a guest appearance on a Comic Relief advertisement along with Churchill, the dog from the Churchill Car Insurance advertisement, and Bertie the Liquorice Allsort.

Nevertheless, Aleks is so much more real than they are. Fans can watch the “bloops” of his commercials, on comparethemeerkat.com, including one where he accidentally breaks into Russian, and another where he is caught looking at a “showkat” website. His witty Facebook and Twitter updates also bring him to life. Earlier this week he informed followers that his smoking jacket, which has grown slightly tighter since Christmas, is to be replaced by an aerobics leotard as he starts his new year’s fitness regime.

We thought we would start by asking Aleks how he came up with the idea of comparethemeerkat.com.

It was the idea of my Papa Anton. It actually came to him in a dream after he had eaten a larger than normal plate of cheesy beetles.

What did you study at school?

I am graduate of the “Learn English Through Acupuncture” correspondence course. I am also qualify cravateer and fur stylist.

You have clearly embraced the digital age… has it been difficult?

No, it was piece of centipede cake. My ITkat, Sergei, used to work on Russian space program and has install state of art computermabob with extra large RAM jar and floppy box.

What do you think has been your most amusing Facebook update?

What do termites eat for breakfast? Oakmeal! That killed at the Annual Leaders in Commeerce Roundtable this year.

How much time do you spend at your computer each day?

In morning I have to spend many hour replying to timewasters who are email me for cheap car insurance deal. The rest of day split between snacking and Tweeting about snacks.

Which is your Favourite website?

I am current working on a new social media website, called Fritter. It is like Facebook and Twitter combine to let you waste time more efficiently. But I also love the Bear Blog.

Who do you most admire?

Celine Dion for produce some of best emoto-pop records in all time.

What are you most proud about?

I am proud of Orlov family museum. I have spent years collecting relic from my family’s past, like grub tin from their old home in the Kalahari and first cravat ever worn by an Orlov. If there was fire in mansion I do not know what I would send Sergei in to save first.

How many marriage proposals have you had?

Today it is under 10. Ever? Let us just say that if I had a rouble for every one, I would be able to add a third storey to my limousine.

If you were a character from a book, who would it be?

Knightkat. He is star of graphic novel I am working on. He run successful internet business by day but is crime fighting evil mongoose at night. It is base on true story.

What is your favourite piece of clothing?

My smoking jacket was made special for me by tailor in Makaryev. It will always have special place in my heart, mainly because it has special place for my tail.

Do you have any piercings or tattoos?

My fur is too luscious and my tastes too sophisticate for that.

What is the most important thing your mother told you?

“Never go up onto the roof with your roller skates on.”

On that note, we really do have to admit – there is no one quite like Aleksandr Orlov!

Aleks and Sergei in the IT Department... Simples!!

Since he was a guest blogger here last week, people have been asking us if Aleksandr Orlov is going to write any more for us. Although our blog is dedicated to our Bears we have to say we are all big stars of the Superstar Meerket. Aleksandr has shot to fame in the catchy ‘Compare The Meerkat’ car insurance ads and he now has a huge cult following.

Today we thought we would send Edward off to have an interview with the furry little Russian himself. He chatted to our Aleksandr in the famous Meerkat IT Department about his playing scrabble with Celine Dion and breaking into Hollywood. So here is Edward’s interview with Aleksandr…

Edward: How did you become so successful, Aleks?

Aleksandr: I am come from long line of Muscovite meerkats. My Papa Anton Orlov brought me up with iron claw. When I was naughty as a pup, he would make me go sit in Siberia. I owe all my success to his sense of discipline. And his lucrative investment in Ural diamond mines.

Edward: Do you like being in showbiz?

Aleksandr: I am not really in the showbiz. I am in the bizbiz. Most days I am just working at my desk, sending emails and spreading sheets but I did once play scrabble with Celine Dion. I won with ‘Zdravstvujte’. 176 points!

Edward: I love some of the meerkats on your website – meerkats seem so talented. Do you think meerkats are here to stay?

Aleksandr: According to study I am thinking of conducting, meerkats are the most talented species in world, so I am sure we be here long time, yes.

Edward: Who do you like the most in show-business?

Aleksandr: I love the movies of gifted tapkat ‘Ginger Haunches’. I have memorise all her routines.

Edward: Are you the most famous thing to come from Russia?

Aleksandr: No most famous is probably Tetris. It is still best way to pass time while waiting for Walkman to rewind. Then me is second.

Edward: What music is on your Walkman?

Aleksandr: Celine Dion. [Sings] ‘No Mountains too high, for you to climb. All you have to do is have some climbing faith’. That one makes my fur stand on end.

Edward: Aleks, are you a bit of a heart throb?

Aleksandr: Yes, I had terrible heartthrob after a spicy fire ant and scorpion curry last week.

Edward: Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?

Aleksandr: I am marry to my work. My desk is my wife and my collection of antique twin-pin staplers, my sexy weekend mistress.

Edward: Do you have any baby meerkats?

Aleksandr: No because I have to look after Sergei in IT department. He helped launch the Mirkat space station during the 80s but now he helps me run my website. He is old and malting a bit these days though. I look after him.

Edward: Facebook vs Twitter – you’re a big hit on both, but which do your prefer?

Aleksandr: I have great many good friends on Facebook, but I like Twitter – it is easiest way to keep people up to date on what I am having for breakfast. Today I had termite toasty.

Edward: What do you do when you’re not making TV ads?

Aleksandr: I have to spend most time running business, but in down time I enjoy a spot of corridor golf. I have new water hazard outside billiard room thanking to leak in roof. I also enjoy flying my hawk, Dimitri. He was gift from Putin.

Edward: If you did get married, who would it be to?

Aleksandr: If I was to marry it would have to be Ludmila Belousova, champion Russian figure skate queen.

Edward: What are you going to do next?

Aleksandr: I am writing a book called ‘Nightkat’ – it is story of crime-fighting meerkat putting the justice on mongoose criminal-types. He use salami nun chucks!

Edward: Do you see yourself breaking into Hollywood?

Aleksandr: If the right script come along and we could get right director – like the fellow who directed The Breakfast Club – I would think about it for sure.

That was a great interview Edward and thanks to Aleksandr for sparing us the time!