By David J. Cieslak
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 4, 1998

ASUA VP Cuny turns model

Those who have watched local television during the last couple of weeks may have spotted ASUA Executive Vice President Casey Cuny.

But Cuny wasn't on the news promoting the Associated Students. Instead, he was strutting his stuff in a commercial for fashion designer Nicole Miller.

Two 30-second ads feature Cuny in outfits ranging from a tuxedo to a wacky Hawaiian shirt and surfer shorts. And with him are two women, looking amorously at Cuny in some scenes and strolling arm-in-arm with him in others.

Cuny said the commercials were shot at KVOA Channel 4's studios and, although he wasn't paid, spending a day at the station was fun.

"It was a great time," he said. "They bought me lunch, I got to hang out at the TV station all day and I got exposure for two weeks."

Cuny said he thinks the commercial will run until the end of this week. In the past two weeks, it has appeared at different times throughout the day.

Some ASUA officials reported seeing the commercials during KVOA's 10:35 p.m. broadcasts of "The Tonight Show." Others said they saw the spots between segments of the evening news.

But Cuny said some viewers did not have the most loving reactions. He said the commercial inspired teasing from roommates, friends and ASUA colleagues.

"Basically, most people made fun of me, but everyone seemed to like the ad," Cuny said.

Newly elected ASUA Sen. Emily Dunn said she supports Cuny's venture into the fashion world.

"I'm proud of him," she said. "If he's trying to build his portfolio, that's great."

Cuny said a friend of a friend who works for Nicole Miller set him up with the gig, and one of the two women in the commercial works for KVOA, while the other is a model for the fashion designer.

His work in the entertainment industry will continue this summer when Cuny travels to Los Angeles for an internship at New Line Cinemas.