Anna Zielinski is the face — and body — in some of Amazon's Kindle ads.
You've probably seen these ads, in which she's repeatedly shown lying by a pool or on a beach in a black bikini, fending off guys who hit on her.
In tech advertising, this approach is slightly unusual. When it comes to promoting a new product, brands tend to let the gadget sell itself and/or bash the competition.
Apple's commercials, for example, show off the features of its iPads. Samsung lampoons the iPhone by showcasing the features on the Galaxy S III.
Amazon, however, has taken a different route with Zeilinski and the Kindle. It almost seems as if Amazon isn't confident in its products. Why else distract viewers with a bikini-clad woman?
Zielinksi was a commercial veteran prior to her Amazon connection. She's also appeared in many TV shows, including "How I Met Your Mother." And she produced her first film, a Christian movie titled "Marriage Retreat," in 2012.
Here's her story.
She used to be a professional cheerleader.
After graduating from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in accounting, Sierpinski moved to San Antonio to pursue a career in dance. Zielinski was a San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer from age 23 to 25. An ACL injury in 1999 ended her NBA dancing career.
According to her personal website, soon after leaving the Spurs, she signed on with a San Antonio talent agency and started pursuing acting. She then moved to Dallas where she began acting full-time.
In 2002, Zielinski began starring in commercials for big brands like Pep Boys and Burger King.
Nationwide brands were quick to pick up on Zielinski's consumer appeal factor. In a few years, Amazon would realize this as well.
Between 2002 and 2003, Zielinski appeared in commercials for Southwest Airlines, Pep Boys, Eye Master, Burger King, Black Angus Steakhouse, and Chevrolet.
Zielinski also performed in Dallas-based Broadway plays.
In 2002, she starred alongside Lou Diamond Phillips in a Dallas performance of "Viva Las Vegas," as well as a performance "Chicago."
The following year, she appeared in Dallas' "Moulin Rouge."
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