Oscar-winning (The King’s Speech) director Tom Hooper helmed via Smuggler this Xmas campaign launch ad for retailer Marks & Spencer out of agency RKCR/Y&R, London, which tells the story of Jake, a lad who’s spent the past year squabbling with his sister Anna.
As Christmas approaches, Jake decides he wants to make things up to her so he writes to Mrs. Claus (portrayed by Janet McTeer), asking Santa’s better half to help him give the perfect gift to Anna. After Santa goes off with his reindeer, Mrs. Claus hops into her more technologically modern “sleigh,” which takes the form of a red helicopter, and delivers a special present to Anna in time for Xmas morning.
“Christmas With Love, Mrs Claus” was created by Alice Burton and Psembi Kinstan from RKCR/Y&R. There are four versions of the commercial (3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds) to be played on television, social and M&S’ own channels. The cinematic score composed by Rachel Portman is available to buy and stream through Universal. All products featured in the spot are available in selected M&S stores and online,
CreditsClient Marks & Spencer (M&S) Agency RKCR/Y&R, London Psembi Kinstan, Alice Burton, creatives; Danielle Sandler, producer; Carmela Vitale, assistant producer. Production Smuggler Tom Hooper, director; Molly Pope, producer; Justin Brown, DP; Paco Delgado, costume designer; Robin Brown, production designer. Editorial The Quarry Paul Watts, editor; Charlie Morris, producer. Sound Design Wave Parv Thind, sound designer; Rebecca Boswell, exec producer. Music Supervision Native Dan Neale, managing director; Fred Ashworth, head of production. Music Rachel Portman, composer. Postproduction The Mill Clare Melia, producer; Andrew “Barnsley” Wood, 2D lead; Rob Holmes, 3D lead (head of 3D); Seamus O’Kane, colorist.
Top Spot of the Week: Morrisons, Leo Burnett UK, Director Michael Gracey Present “The Greatest Show at Home” For Christmas
Morrisons, the U.K. supermarket and convenience store chain, has released its new Christmas ad, which presents “The Greatest Show at Home,” paying tribute to the hosts who put on the feasts which are the centerpiece of family get-togethers. Created by Leo Burnett UK and directed by Michael Gracey via production house Partizan, this :60 opens on a snowy evening, with a Morrisons delivery van arriving at a home. Inside, a lone oven glove catches a spotlight and springs to life, beginning to sing the opening line of “Give a Little Love.” As the ad progresses, we are taken on a journey through a series of festive kitchens, where the gloves provide moral support to hosts preparing for the big day.
The much-loved singing gloves, of course, have been a staple of Morrisons holiday cheer. And their new performance is set to the soundtrack of the aforementioned “Give a Little Love” from Bugsy Malone, recorded by a choir of 26 Morrisons colleagues at Abbey Road Studios--with talent spotted from across Morrisons stores, manufacturing sites and support office. The soundtrack sets the tone with the feel-good energy and celebratory warmth of a big “musical” production finale.
The gloves, now fully animated with distinct voices, sing their support for the nation’s family chefs--encouraging them as they prepare an array of indulgent Christmas dishes. From British turkeys and beautifully presented whole salmon, to party food from The Bestrange and indulgent desserts, the ad places Morrisons food front and center, offering a feast for the eyes as well as the table.
Gracey--who directed the feature The Greatest Showman--combines the playful charm of the oven gloves with a theatrical flair, giving the commercial a sense of... Read More