Furniture retailer DFS is launching its first Christmas brand campaign from krow, part of The MISSION Group: A reflection of the timeless celebration of Christmas, in the fantasy animated world of Wallace & Gromit.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Wallace & Gromit back to our screens for this special Christmas spot with DFS, in a warm and wonderful winter tale — involving carol singing sheep,” said Aardman director Will Becher (A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon). “Having previously directed a feature film, it’s been a great challenge to discover just how much heart and comedy we can pack into 30 seconds. ‘A Comfy Carol’ is Aardman’s first production to complete since lockdown in March, and it felt like the perfect story to bring these well-loved characters back to life in the studio.”
The “A Comfy Carol” campaign – the company’s second featuring Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit – features the two much-loved characters taking Wallace’s new invention, the “Ewe-phonia,” carol singing. Pulled along on a sleigh with the number plate EWE-L-T1DE, the Ewe-phonia produces carols sung by sheep. Wallace is keen to take the contraption around the whole neighborhood and is aiming to beat their record.
Gromit, however, is getting tired and cold, shivers as he looks inside at people sitting comfortably on DFS sofas, enjoying the warmth of the cozy home. One householder takes pity on the duo and invites them in to warm up and take the weight off their feet on a DFS sofa with the rest of her family. The scene finishes on showing the family enjoying Christmas.
“Over the winter months our living rooms play an even bigger role for many families. krow’s new campaign captures the much-loved, Christmas mood, with an injection of Wallace & Gromit classic humor,” said Nick Ashworth, Marketing Director at DFS.
krow has also developed a new Christmas filter for social, produced by Aardman, which allows users to play and share a Christmassy moment with family and friends. A digital photo-booth will allow users and their friends to join the magical world of Wallace & Gromit by recording a video or taking a photograph that places them in a Christmassy DFS scene with Wallace & Gromit, complemented by additional snow and sparkles.
“DFS is confident of its place in the nation’s hearts and homes, and Christmas feels the right time to talk about comfort and branding in place of guaranteed Christmas deliveries which is the normal messaging so often associated with the sector at this time of year,” said John Quarrey, CEO of krow Group.
The spot was directed by Becher and produced by Nick Miller. Darryl George & John Mitchell were creative directors; Mitchell also served as art director. Aileen Ross was planning director.