Game of Thrones' Hodor actor on channeling his character in ads for KFC and now SodaStream
Carbonated water brand SodaStream is again utilising the popularity of Game of Thrones – and also the Big Bang Theory – in a global campaign looking to portray the damage plastic bottle can do to the planet.
Nairn relives Hodor for SodaStream
Kristian Nairn stars as a Hodor-like character (as he did earlier this month in a KFC ad that featured as our ad of the day). As the ‘Homoschlepien’, Nairn is discovered by an anthropologist played by the Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik.
Building upon the brand’s previous Game of Thrones themed ‘Shame or Glory’ campaign featuring Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson (The Mountain) and Hannah Waddingham (Septa Unella), SodaStream is promoting itself as the solution to harmful single-use plastic bottles.
Bialik describes her encounter with the ‘idiot’ Homeoschlepiens in a two and a half minute YouTube ad. She shared a hug with the water-lugging Hodor.
‘With SodaStream, mankind evolved to make fresh, sparkling water at home without carrying polluting plastic bottles,” claims Bialik in the ad.
Narin has gained a lot of advertising work off the back of his Hodor heroics on Game of Thrones, he told The Drum, it was just a “strange coincidence”, he said: “I hadn’t done any ads previously, but when SodaStream came to me with this proposal, I simply couldn’t turn it down. It’s fun to be a part of a clever advertisement, especially when you can connect with the message.
“I felt proud to be part of KFC’s campaign which offers their prime consumers a healthier alternative. On the same token, SodaStream is really offering a revolutionary alternative for consumers; one that empowers them to take their health and wellness into their own hands, in a fun and convenient way.”
On why he partnered with the brand, Nairn said: “I consider myself environmentally conscious, and I of course, try to do my best to be as earth friendly as possible, so this concept really resounded with me. On top of that, I think SodaStream’s script offers a clever and creative delivery of this message, by portraying an idealistic future where plastic bottles are truly an obsolete thing of the past. I honestly had a blast playing this role, and working with Mayim Bialik, and I think it shows in this video.”
When pushed whether his character will be making a return on the show at some point he said it “seems like a long shot at this point”.
Daniel Birnbaum, chief executive of SodaStream, said: “Our new video, The Homoschlepiens, shows how primitive it is to hydrate with single use plastic bottles that pollute our Earth.
“It's easy and economical to enjoy water and delicious sparkling drinks made from tap water at home and without having to pollute the planet. Using disposable plastic bottles is a prehistoric habit that belongs to the past; it’s high time for the world to evolve and create a better future for our children."
Earlier this week, The Drum looked at the times Game of Thrones actors essentially relived their characters in ads, SodaStream featured twice.
Vote for the latest SodaStream ad in our Creative Works below.
