Truth? Every family deals with picky eaters—especially when it comes to fish, shellfish and the like. And thanks to those aversions formed during childhood, seafood demand is declining across generations. But it’s not game over. With a (seriously delicious) choice for every taste, SeaPak can get even the most reluctant eaters to try new things. Like, say, jumbo coconut shrimp. To break through and build belief, we tapped into the fact that very few brands use animal characters in their marketing efforts and invited Sea Otters, who are notorious for their shrimp-etites, to the table. But…with a twist. Custom crafted by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, we introduced a family of otter puppets who embody all the fun and frustration of family dinner—and made them the stars of our national campaign. Designed for maximum personality—down to their expressive otter eyes, movable eyebrows, and tiny, shrimp-munching teeth—these puppets bridge the gap between nostalgia and innovation, standing out in a digital-first world.
Bringing them to life was an eight-week collaboration between EP+Co and the legendary team behind the Muppets. Every detail was considered, from fur textures to facial expressions, ensuring the Otterfords felt as real and relatable as any human family. To make the magic happen, we cast three world-class puppeteers—Bradley Freeman Jr., Kathleen Kim, and Tracie Mick—all Sesame Street veterans, recommended by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Seen on-screen interacting with real actors, the Otterfords don’t just sell shrimp—they make mealtime an exciting event. And show even the pickiest pick SeaPak.
