Ahead of earnings and Earth Day, Cree lights up TV with LED bulb commercials

Having cracked the $10 price barrier, are Cree’s new LED Bulbs capturing the hearts of energy-minded consumers across the country?

We may get some details today – but they won’t include results from a new marketing barrage from the Durham-based LED manufacturer.

Cree (Nasdaq: CREE) announces its latest quarterly earnings after the markets close and perhaps will offer insight into just how well its new LED Bulbs are faring in the consumer market. To boost sales, Cree unleashed a barrage of “nostalgia is dumb” commercials over the weekend – just in time for “Earth Day.”

“Biggest thing since the lightbulb,” Cree says.

Yes, that was Durham-based Cree advertising during NBA playoff games.

The bulbs just hit store shelves in March, and they have generated a number of very positive reviews as well as hype and a big jump in share price.

Cree’s goal is clear: 100 percent consumer adoption of LEDs.

The advertising barrage included six different spots, with direction provided by Jesse Peretz, of “Girls” and “New Girl,” and acting featuring Lance Reddick.

If you missed the spots or want to watch them again, they are available online: