L.A. Zoo Hires Boston Ad Agency For Betty White-Slash Campaign

BOSTON (CBS) - A Boston advertising firm has developed five humorous spots to promote the L.A. Zoo's new reptile house, "The LAIR" (which stands for Living Amphibians, Invertebrates and Reptiles).

They feature Betty White and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash walking around the reptile house, chatting about the animals.

It's the first work for the Los Angeles Zoo by Allen & Gerritsen, the ad shop said Tuesday.

The commercials break on March 8th. The shop won the L.A. Zoo's ad account late last year.

In one spot, Betty and Slash peer at a pair of pythons. She asks him, "Where do these pythons live again?" Slash replies, "I think they're indigenous to Australia and New Guinea."

Then, print appears across the screen, as the two snakes have a silent dialog of their own, one asking the other: "Doesn't Slash have a place in the valley?" The other answers, "I think he lives in the Hills somewhere."

Gary Greenberg, EVP and chief creative officer at Allen & Gerritsen, said the two stars sit on the L.A. Zoo's board and agreed to donate their time to promote the new reptile house.

Both Slash and White, who are good friends, are avid animal lovers.

"They had such incredible chemistry. It's funny, between takes Slash would have his hand on her shoulder," said Greenberg of the six-hour shoot.

The campaign's budget was not disclosed.

Besides TV spots, the advertising mix also includes digital and outdoor executions.

The campaign's tagline is "Alive in L.A."

Watch Lisa's report:

Lisa van der Pool of the Boston Business Journal can be seen weekdays at 6 a.m. on WBZ-TV.

You can follow Lisa on Twitter at @lvanderpool.