| |
October 2003
It’s a tale of fortune that
will warm the hearts of many – from the huge army of
ardent ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ viewers to
the millions who use the Thomson Local directory or log on
to the Thomson Directories website.
It’s the tale of Monty the Cat, whose rise to celebrity
status started from the humblest of beginnings. (Yes..it happens
in the animal world too!).
This sleek black cat who was chosen to promote the very first
episodes of ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ and has
recently had his contract extended as the face of Thomson
Directories, had his first lucky break very early on in life.
He was discovered abandoned under a garden shed and spent
the early months of his life at a rescue centre in Kent.
At eight months old, with not much of a future look forward
to, Monty got his big celebrity break. Nickelodeon, producers
of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, wanted to launch the TV series
in the UK and needed a cat that looked like the programme’s
pivotal character, Salem. Celebrity animal trainer, Sue Woods,
was given the task - a task which took her to the rescue centre
where Monty was staying. Sue immediately spotted his potential
– that rare mix of pride and sophistication despite
his circumstances, and that all important ‘ahh’
factor. Sue signed him up straight away.
That was six years ago and as Monty approached his prime,
he was to be given his second big break.
A year after starring with Sabrina, national stardom beckoned
once again. Monty clinched the role as the now famous Thomson
cat. His unique expressions and silky movements graced television
screens and newsprint across the country as Thomson Directories
rolled out an expansive advertising campaign to promote their
Thomson Local business directories.
Monty gained entry to every home and business in the country
as the face on the front cover of every Thomson Local. And
if you were wondering how Monty the black cat could suddenly
transform into Thomson the blue cat, thank computer technology!
As Thomson Directories have expanded access to the vast range
of information they can provide, Monty’s role has taken
on new heights. He now features heavily on the Thomson website
– www.thomsonlocal.com
and has recently fronted a new TV advertising campaign for
Thomson. Still under wraps but due to launch in January is
a whole new look for Thomson Local. It will be the only directory
to have a celebrity front cover - yes.. Monty is there again.
Sue, who accompanies Monty wherever he goes, makes sure that
there’s no question of celebrity burn out. But neither
does she let him bask for too long in his celebrity status.
He has just finished filming a star spot on the ITV children’s
television programme ‘You can do Magic’, which
is programmed to come on just before Sabrina. Unlike celebrity
humans, overexposure will not be a problem for Monty.
For further information please contact our Press
office.
|
