Direct Line Unleashes the Hound for new Pet Fix Campaign

Direct Line Pet Insurance has cast Hodge, a lovable seven-year-old Basset Hound from Bedfordshire, in its latest campaign which addresses the bad habits of the nation’s wayward pets.

Hodge was the winner of Direct Line’s naughtiest pets promotion, which invited owners to share photos and videos of their mischievous dogs. The main prize was a chance to win a dog training boot camp and feature in the resulting Direct Line campaign. 

Hodge‘s owners Richard and Andy Kilduff in Leighton Buzzard were chosen from over 250 entries because of Hodge’s dogged stubbornness and reluctance to walk on his lead.

Dog behaviourist Steven Havers hosted the boot camp at Hodge’s home and in a local park. The filmed training session features in a new digital campaign created by brand entertainment agency Media Bounty. 

This is the final burst in a 23 week long campaign which runs until the end of the year across YouTube and Facebook.

Direct Line’s deputy head of news Claire Foster, said: “Small details and little adjustments to a dog’s behaviour can positively transform life for both pets and their owners. The same applies when safeguarding against those times your pet might need special care and attention.

“We want to be famous for fixing, which is why we were looking to address Hodge’s behavioural issues. Insurance isn’t generally front of mind until people really need it, so what better way to remind a pet owner about those all important details than Hodge the hound.”