Shaq Is the New Face of The General

In an email to its agents yesterday, The General announced that basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is the company’s new brand ambassador. They are touting it as a “return” to The General because Shaq was once insured by the company.

The announcement explains that Shaq agreed to the new partnership because as a customer he loved The General’s “affordable prices, reliable service, and established reputation.” It goes on to say that Shaq shares the insurer’s core values, and that he is a fan of The General Character.

This got us thinking … what else do The General—and its iconic mustachioed mascot—have in common?

An Unlikely Partnership Or A Match Made in Heaven?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSM9j81X0g4

From humble beginnings to the national stage

The General was once known as Permanent General Agency, and the company grew from its start in Nashville, Tennessee, to store locations in Louisiana, California, Florida, and more.

Shaq was born in Newark, New Jersey. He later went to high school in Texas and college in Louisiana. Throughout his celebrated basketball career, he played for Los Angeles, Miami, Boston, and Phoenix. As a former basketball star, nobody would’ve pictured him speaking for an insurance company in North America. It could be that Peyton Manning’s success was a trigger point. Maybe Shaq just wanted to try something new. There’s no way to tell for sure.

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What Do The General and Shaq Have in Common?

Shaq and The General Character are iconic for their respective heights. The basketball behemoth is a jaw-dropping seven feet one inch tall.  The General, well … he’s a bit on the tiny side. In his early days, The General was so small his phone was almost his same height! While they may be on opposite sides of that spectrum, you may be surprised at what they have in common.

Protectors of the people

Although we’re not sure which branch of the armed services The General is from, he’s clearly a decorated military hero. We can surmise that he has been recognized for helping citizens get auto insurance, so in our book, that’s pretty good.

Shaq, it may surprise you, was bona fide officer of the law. He was a reserve officer with the Louisiana Port Police and Miami Beach. He’s also an honorary U.S. Deputy Marshal and honorary deputy for Bedford County, Virginia. So in his past life, he might’ve protected your personal property in another way if you live in Louisiana or Miami Beach. That’s not where the similarities end.

Has Shaq Become A Different Kind of Animated All-Star?

The General is a recognized animated icon. His design has evolved over the years to the lovable and mighty character who marches across our computer and television screens.

Shaq is no stranger to the toon treatment, either. He’s been animated several times, appearing as himself in the Cleveland Show, The Lego Movie, and more.

It turns out these two men have more in common than we initially thought! We think that Shaquille O’Neal is a perfect fit for The General, and we congratulate Shaq on his new ambassadorship.

Is The General Insurance Right for You?

The General offers low cost auto insurance for many people across the country. Whether their mascot is a cartoon general, Shaq, or someone else, you can get quotes for auto, motorcycle, homeowner, life insurance, and other plans in a few clicks online.

If you’re shopping for a new auto insurance company or other insurance products, always get a few quotes to compare options. Insurance agents can help you, or you can start by entering your zip code on our site. The insurance industry is full of great options. The cheapest policy isn’t always the best, and the best insurance doesn’t have to be expensive.

If you’re curious how The General, with its catchy character mascot, stacks up against its insurance competitors, don’t miss our auto insurance showdown.