HBO - Jane Goodall & the Chimpanzee / Chimps (1996) :60 (USA)

This humorous HBO spot was centered on chimpanzees being studied by the scientist Jane Goodall. The commercial described her as an "HBO viewer since 1978." It began airing in October 1996.

In 1997 it won the first Emmy ever given to a commercial. However, as the New York Times reported then, "the television academy had to overcome a bitter round of internecine warfare," as some members were opposed to giving out Emmys to "sales tools".
Both Advertising Age and USA Today had reported that Ms. Goodall does not actually watch HBO, and the voice identified as hers in the spot was not.

''All of us are really excited about another industry recognizing the advertising industry for its accomplishments,'' said Ted Sann, co-chief executive and chief creative officer at BBDO New York to The New York Times.

Ad agency: BBDO New York
Chief Creative Officer: Ted Sann

Production Company: Pytka
Director: Joe Pytka
Executive Producer: Vincent Joliet
Advertising Agency: BBDO / NY
Chief Creative Director: Ted Sann
Agency Creative Director: Michael Patti, Don Schneider
Agency Art Director: Don Schneider
Agency Copywriter: Ted Sann, Michael Patti
Agency Producer: Regina Ebel, Becky Friedman
Agency Music Producer: Rani Vaz
Editorial Company: Crew Cuts
Editor: Sherri Margulies
Visual Effects Company: Quiet Man