Interesting facts:

    • It was filmed in November 1997 on Red Square. It was aired internationally in January 1998, but NOT in Russia.
    • It took months to negotiate the deal. Katie O’Neill Bistrian at IMG negotiated for Gorbachev. The long duration was partly to increase the fee for Gorbachev, but also represented real hesitation on his part. His wife Raisa Gorbacheva feared that the ad could harm his reputation. Gorbachev agreed under the conditions that he could give his final approval over the script. He would also not eat pizza, which disappointed Pizza Hut. O’Neill Bistrian suggested that a member of Gorbachev’s family would eat the pizza slice, which ended up being his granddaughter.

  • The exact amount that Gorbachev received was never disclosed, although it was argued that it was one of the largest talent fees in history. According to The New York Times, some reports indicate Gorbachev was paid close to US$1 million (equivalent to about $2M in 2021). Gorbachev said the money would be used for The Gorbachev Foundation.
  • Red Square was shut down for a day during the filming. The Pizza Hut shown on Red Square was actually a jewelry store which was changed for the filming.
  • The filming inside was done in an actual Pizza Hut restaurant in Moscow.
  • Time listed the commercial in a “Top 10 Embarrassing Celebrity Commercials” list.
  • Thrillist named it in a 2014 article as one of the 11 most bizarre celebrity endorsements.
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