Ballantine’s blends Scottish spirit with American attitude in one-take ad
Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s is whisking audiences from an atmospheric Scottish pub to an uptempo underground gig in the US in a single take.
A staggered launch across multiple European and Latin American territories, delayed by the onset of the war in Ukraine, presents diverse audiences with a taste of the different environments in which to enjoy a sup of whisky.
Devised in collaboration with CPB London, the cultural mash-up opens with a moody acoustic ballad in a Scottish pub that gradually changes pace into an uptempo American dive bar decked out in colorful neon.
The carefully-choreographed transition took a patience-sapping 100 practice runs and 44 takes to pull off, resulting in a smooth continuous motion that makes the transatlantic teleportation appear effortless.
Josh McCarthy, global brand communications and digital director for Ballantine’s at Chivas Brothers, said: “In a sense, we wanted to bring bourbon and Scotch drinkers together, with a message that there doesn’t have to be a big divide between the two whisky styles. The creative takes this notion and celebrates the seamless flip between American attitude and Scottish heritage that’s inherent in Ballantine’s 7.”
Dave Day, executive creative director at CPB London, added: “The unashamed blending of two very distinct whisky cultures is a notion that boldly flows right through into this spot. Our protagonists are deeply comfortable in both worlds – that much is evident – albeit a little surprised to find themselves transported from one to another so quickly.”
A component of ‘Stay True – There’s No Wrong Way,’ the piece promotes Ballantine’s 7 Bourbon Barrel Finish, launched in 2020 and now available in 18 markets around the globe.
The whisky brand has focused on novel filming techniques to stand apart from the crowd, previously screening ‘half an ad’ to spread its low-alcohol messaging.