Pug becomes star in Super Bowl ad

On Sunday, Oko NoNo became a star.

The 5-year-old pug belongs to Scott O'Connor of Ventura, Calif., who carried the dog in his arms, giving high fives to friends who gathered at El Rey Cantina in Camarillo to see whether the canine would ascend to commercial stardom.

Oko NoNo, along with Julieanne O'Connor, was featured in a Doritos commercial that was one of five finalists for possible airing during the Super Bowl game.

The commercial — shot in Camarillo at Julieanne's home for $500 — was entered in the Crash the Super Bowl contest. People voted for their favorites through Jan. 31 at www.crashthesuperbowl.com and other platforms. Public voting determined two of the Doritos ads; Frito-Lay executives picked the third spot. Results were kept secret until game day. The pug's ad was one of three winners. It can be seen on www.crashthesuperbowl.com and www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lWb1V87x3o.

"I can't believe it. It's awesome," Julieanne said as the commercial aired. Julieanne, an actress, is married to Mark O'Connor, Scott's brother.

The five ad finalists each won $25,000. In addition, the Oko NoNo commercial tied for first in the USA Today's annual Ad Meter that rates the most popular Super Bowl ads. Ad producers are eligible to win $1 million, $600,000 or $400,000 in grand prizes if chosen first, second or third, respectively. It was not immediately clear how the top prize would be handled.

Julieanne explained that she met the commercial's producer, J.R. Burningham — who was at the Super Bowl with the other four Crash the Super Bowl finalists — when they worked at a ranch.

"We met at a ranch on Malibu where they rescue exotic animals. We're all animal lovers," Julieanne said, adding that a portion of her payment for the commercial will go to animal-rescue groups. She and friends took up four booths at the cantina Sunday as they enjoyed the football game, in between commercials.

Scott, an artist, said he hopes Oko NoNo also will be paid for her work. "I'm at the producer's mercy,"he said. But his immediate plans are to upgrade the pug's treats.

"We're going to go out and get Greenies," he said. "We couldn't afford Greenies before, but now we'll get a bag."

The pug gets her unusual name from an abbreviation Scott once used on construction tools and the fact that she does naughty things and sometimes doesn't heed him. It's also a play on words on John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono (he's a longtime Lennon fan).

Scott said that because his dog has proved to be so charismatic in commercials, he plans to take some classes to train her to do more work.

He said that on the day of the commercial shoot a friend of his took the dog for the day. "They had her run in one direction about 20 times," Scott said, adding that he is able to get Oko NoNo to respond with healthy dog treats.

Scott believes his pug is extraordinary. A year ago, he was outside his home, in an area where coyotes are often seen, to get something out of his truck about 1 a.m. When he turned around, he realized Oko NoNo was missing.

"There was no noise at all. She just disappeared. I panicked and got a flashlight and started yelling and screaming and shining it all around," Scott said. After searching for 30 minutes, the pug came staggering out of the bushes covered in blood. Fortunately, Oko NoNo's injuries were not life-threatening.

Scott and the pug basked in the glow Sunday as he carried her around the cantina as well-wishers and new fans came up to pet her. "This dog gets so much attention," he said. "I can't go anywhere where little kids just come running up to pet her."

Scott said he and the dog rooted for Green Bay to win the Super Bowl. "Grandpa Wally and Grandma Joann (O'Connor) live in Oshkosh, Wis.," he said.

"The cheeseheads are pulling for her."

Anne Kallas is a reporter for the Ventura County Star in California. Brett Johnson of the Star contributed to this report.