Kroger’s 2023 holiday campaign is headlined by this animated film, “Cuisine Exchange.” Created by adam&eveDDB New York, the film highlights the connective power of food through a heartfelt story centered around a childless couple who decide to host an exchange student and the lifetime of traditions that follow.
Kroger retains its beloved Kroji characters for the :74 film which is complemented by the hit track “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran.
In addition, the brand enlisted the same award-winning directing duo and production company responsible for the 2022 holiday film: Yves Geleyn (John Lewis film “The Bear and The Hare” and Michael Thurmeier (Ice Age: Continental Drift, Ice Age: Collision Course) of the New York-based studio Hornet.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED to access this page.
Already registered?
LOGIN
Don't have an account?
REGISTER
Registration is FREE and FAST.
The limited access duration has come to an end. (Access was allowed until: 2023-11-18)
Credits
Client Kroger Agency adam&eveDDB New York Richard Brim, global chief creative officer; Amanda Peters, head of strategy; Mat Bisher, group executive creative director; Paulo Junger, Jason Ashlock, executive creative directors; Vinicius Fernandes, Mussashi Shintaku, Patrick Conlon, creative directors; Rafael Oliveira, associate creative director; Teri Atlman, production lead; Bree Hopenwasser, sr. producer; Christopher Lane, associate producer. Production Company Hornet Yves Geleyn, Mike Thurmeier, directors; Hana Shimizu, managing partner; Karen Lawler, director of production; Kristin Labriola, head of creative development; Alex Unick, executive producer; Dez Stavracos, head of production; Heather Hardin, producer; Anita Chao, sr. editor; Cole Bannick, assistant editor; Karla Palacios, production coordinator; Jon Chun, talent coordinator; Name Camillo Clauser, storyboard artist; Hannah Kim, Tom Humber, character designers; Michael Knapp, art director; George Smaragdis, CG supervisor; Pakorn Bupphavesa, CG lead; Carl Mok, compo lead; Angeline Rivera, Natalia Perez Melendez, Nelson Mai, Daniel Lombardi, Nick Wergin, CG generalists; Constance Bensen, character modeler; Alex Levenson, set modeler; Carlos Sandoval, Chris Hill, rigging; Cody Chen, Mirelle Underwood, Nicole Noel, Sylvia Apostol, light & rendering; Nicole Noel, Paulo Dias, Shandy Tam, Eric Concepcion, compositors; Chris Mayne, Hee Jin Kim, Kaitlin Yu, Matt Parent, Matthew Corsillo, Meg Oswalt, Nicholas Christie, Tania Florit, animators
This holiday season banking/financial services company Erste Group and ad agency Jung von Matt DONAU, Vienna, present “Carry the light,” a tender reimagining of a journey that shaped history, told through the eyes of the animal who carried it forward. Directed by Daniel&Szymon of Arts & Sciences, the film follows a humble donkey’s quiet path from burden to purpose, echoing a universal longing to be seen, valued, and believed in.
Echoing Erste Group’s ongoing #glaubandich (“believe in yourself”) brand platform, the story explores how small acts of kindness and faith can inspire transformation. As the donkey carries Mary and Joseph toward Bethlehem, his awakening becomes a metaphor. “Erste’s 2025 Christmas campaign reminds us that hope and gentleness often come from the smallest among us. It’s a story about compassion, determination, and the idea that each of us carries something meaningful to give. In a world like ours, it’s more important than ever to inspire people—to show respect, offer support, and encourage everyone to believe in their own strength,” says Nina Pentek, responsible for the production at Erste Group. “We also want to remind people that no matter how things may seem, they can always find a light within themselves—and that light can make all the difference!”
Mike Nagy, managing director and executive creative director at Jung von Matt DONAU, added, “This is a small story with a big heart. It was important for us to tell the #believeinyourself message in a festive, emotional context — while standing apart from typical seasonal advertising.”
Shot in the breathtaking Atlas Mountains of Morocco by cinematographer Barry Ackroyd, ASC (The Hurt Locker, Detroit, A House of Dynamite), the... Read More
