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Creative Works: 10 of the best ads of the week, from Aldi to McDonald’s

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By Amy Houston, Senior Reporter

November 17, 2021 | 11 min read

At The Drum, we believe great work deserves recognition and that talented creatives should get their share of reverence for the hard work they put in. So each week we will update our hall of fame, celebrating the 10 best ads from our Creative Works section. Welcome, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.

Everyone’s favorite root vegetable was back on our screens this week as Aldi dropped its 2021 festive campaign ‘A Christmas Carrot‘ starring Kevin the Carrot and a whole host of new faces, including Marcus Rashford as a cheery radish.

Lifting the lid on a global crisis, WaterAid, Rankin and a whole host of artists, musicians and comedians joined forces to get the message across that one in five people do not have access to a decent toilet in their homes, which compromises their safety, dignity and health.

Finally, a junior creative duo at Leo Burnett reimagined the John Lewis Christmas formula for McDonald’s in the heartwarming spot ‘Imaginary Iggy‘.

Aldi: A Christmas Carrot by McCann UK

Aldi has unveiled its highly-anticipated Christmas campaign ‘A Christmas Carrot,’ which features England striker Marcus Rashford as a cheery radish, festive icon Kevin the Carrot and new character Ebanana Scrooge.

Created by McCann UK, the ad is a charming take on Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol and follows the story of grumpy Ebanana Scrooge, who is very much stuck in his ways. Viewers see him trudging through the snowy streets toward his home and shortly after falling asleep, he is abruptly woken by the Spirit of Christmas (Kevin the Carrot), who takes him on a journey through the wintry town to remind him of the true joy of the season.

A teaser for the ad was released last weekend and there was a public outcry on social media that Kevin may not be featured in the festivities this year. Aldi have not only included Kevin, but has also added to the gang as viewers get to meet Marcus Radishford, Tiny Tom and Peas and Goodwill.

Vote for the work here.

WaterAid: Best Seat in the House by Rankin

According to WaterAid, one in five people globally do not have access to a decent toilet in their homes, which compromises their safety, dignity and health. To raise awareness Rankin and a whole host of creatives have designed an array of artistic toilet seats.

WaterAid estimates that 800 children are dying every day from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. A third of schools also lack decent toilets, which can result in many people who menstruate having to stay at home during their period, holding them back from fulfilling their potential.

The Rankin Agency is celebrating toilets as the lifesavers they are by teaming up with artists, designers, comedians and musicians to create their own very unique toilet seats. Harry Hill, Pam Hogg, Val Garland, Boy George, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Pure Evil and Hayden Kays are among 25 artists who have given the ‘Best Seat in the House’ a special splash of luxury.

Vote for the work here.

McDonald’s: Imaginary Iggy by Leo Burnett

Meet ‘Imaginary Iggy,’ the brainchild of a junior creative team at Leo Burnett worth keeping an eye on.

The latest installment of the ‘Reindeer Ready’ campaign has dropped and marks the fifth time the fast-food brand has worked with creative agency Leo Burnett on the art direction and script.

This is the heartwarming tale of a young girl, Matilda, and her lifelong relationship with her imaginary friend Iggy. The pair bond over their love of Christmas and all the rituals that occur around the season. As the film progresses we see Matilda grow into a confident young woman and, unfortunately, Iggy gets slightly forgotten about. If you‘ve seen Toy Story, you‘ll get it. The concept comes full circle when a scene in a McDonald‘s restaurant reminds her of her old friend once more.

Vote for the work here.

Tesco: This Christmas, Nothing’s Stopping Us by BBH

Tesco is positioning itself as a standard-bearer for the national mood this festive season by putting on a stiff upper lip in its determination to ensure the UK celebrates a very merry Christmas, no matter what the world throws at us.

Created by BBH, the tub-thumping campaign is set to the pulse-setting beat of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, encouraging people to set aside life’s troubles and celebrate with abandon – irrespective of Covid-19 restrictions.

Opening with a view of one Tesco shopper pulling out all the stops for the perfect family dinner, the campaign shows how store staff are only too willing to provide ‘a little help’ along the way.

Driven by the insight that 86% of UK adults vow that nothing will stop them from pulling out all the stops this Christmas, the campaign illustrates the lengths people will go to create shared memories with their loved ones.

Vote for the work here.

Glenfiddich: Where Next? by Space

Scottish single malt whisky brand Glenfiddich is stopping Londoners in their tracks with a 3D activation at Piccadilly Circus.

The ‘Where Next?’ campaign communicates the uncertain and challenging journey of growth and reimagines the brand’s stag icon as a symbol of this.

Created by London-based creative agency Space, the new work is the latest in a four-year partnership and also features support from TV, film, out-of-home (OOH), print, digital and social media.

Vote for the work here.

Redbreast Irish Whiskey: Robin Redbreast Day by The Public House

Redbreast Irish Whiskey is launching ‘Robin Redbreast Day,’ a day designed to raise awareness of the brand’s mission to help keep common birds common.

For its first campaign, Redbreast has teamed up with Irish actor Chris O’Dowd in a hilarious video that aims to help raise funds to support the brand’s charity partner BirdLife International.

Set in a cocktail bar, the spot sees the actor and the brand’s iconic mascot Robin Redbreast discussing Chris’ fear of heights as he contemplates living his life as a common bird. Robin Redbreast quickly gets things back on track to announce that the pair have come together to raise awareness of BirdLife International, revealing just how simple it is to get involved.

For every view the video receives, 25 cents will be donated to BirdLife International to help continue its commitment to keeping the robin and other common birds safe for future generations.

Vote for the work here.

Bumble: Fall In Love With Dating by 72andSunny Amsterdam

Created in collaboration with 72andSunny Amsterdam, the film challenges dating expectations through the eyes of a woman owning her dating journey as a place for self-discovery and exploration.

The campaign inspires women to do the same and celebrates those who take control of their dating lives. Research by the popular dating app has found that people are eager to ‘reset’ their dating lives, but that they are approaching dating in a different way.

The launch film, directed by Stockholm-based Sheila Johansson, takes us through a cinematographic journey of one woman’s dating journey, focusing on the process of exploring and discovering what she wants.

It follows the woman through many dates, including moments we all know: asking your friends for advice, the first time you cook for a new date and brushing your teeth with your finger when you first stay the night.

The relatable campaign embraces the good and the bad dates, the people you meet, and the process of discovering what you want along the way.

Vote for the work here.

Morrisons: Farmer Christmas by Publicis Poke

Christmas evokes images of a jolly Santa Claus working hard in his snowy grotto making wonderful toys to be delivered all around the world. This year, however, Morrisons wants to highlight some other heroes of the season – farmers.

Created with agency partner Publicis Poke, ‘Farmer Christmas’ pays tribute to farmers who work hard all year long to make this time of year so special and provide us with the food that we get to enjoy with loved ones.

The ad follows two young friends as they explore North Pole Farm, sneaking into the various workshops where butchers, bakers, fishmongers and florists are preparing seasonal treats. The duo is amazed to find Farmer Christmas’s version of a sleigh and reindeer, which happen to be Morrisons lorries. As the pair’s journey comes to an end they declare that “he’s been” after spotting a table full of yummy food and sit down to enjoy the Christmas meal with their family.

Vote for the work here.

BT: Hope United by Saatchi & Saatchi

In the third installment of BT and Hope United’s campaign to celebrate Black British history, footballer Marcus Rashford passionately speaks about the impact literature has had on his life and the power that reading can have on shaping a child’s perception of the multicultural society we live in.

Created by Saatchi & Saatchi, the film features Rashford surrounded by a montage of videos and images showcasing the diversity that makes the UK great, as well as footage from his own childhood and football career. He opens by asking viewers: “One of the best things about our country is how diverse it is. There’s a lot to know, so where do you begin?”

Recounting his youth and the times spent with his mother learning about other cultures, he states that without the help of books children might not be as exposed to different experiences.

Vote for the work here.

Waitrose: Best Bit of Christmas by Adam&EveDDB

Waitrose has become the latest brand to show its hand for Christmas with the unveiling of some festive star power to communicate its place as the home of the best Christmas food.

Drawing on the personalities of Extras star Ashley Jensen and celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, the commercial promotes the funny side of festive food, bringing some much-needed seasonal cheer.

Centered on the message that ‘the best bit of Christmas is the food,’ the campaign by Adam&eveDDB showcases the stomach-rumbling treats available to fill your Christmas table, including Truffle Smoked Salmon, No 1 Truffle Prosciutto Crudo and Bronze Feathered Free Range Turkey.

Showcasing the tempting fare, the advert sees Jensen host her own Christmas party, with the actress attempting to pass off Blumenthal’s mince pies as her own.

Vote for the work here.

That’s just for starters. Check out the best work from our Creative Works section here and don’t forget to vote.

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