McDonald’s is launching its 2020 Christmas advert, following thestory of a young boy facing an internal struggle between the child they were, and the teenager they want to be. ‘Inner Child’ will air on Sunday (15th) during ITV’s flagship show, I’m A Celebrity, after premiering on McDonald’s social channels on Thursday 12th November.
The 90 second animated film, created by McDonald’s advertising partner Leo Burnett and directed by Againstallodds from Passion Pictures, follows the story of Tom and his mum during their Christmas Eve rituals – from hanging decorations to browsing the Christmas market.
Teenage Tom is unresponsive to his mum’s efforts to get him in the festive spirit, however his inner child tells us a different story. A quick stop at McDonald’s to pick up some Reindeer Treats helps lift his spirits and Tom slowly starts to listen to his inner child.
As the day goes on, Tom starts to join in with the festivities, no longer battling between his inner child and the teen he longs to be. Through the love of his mum and the rituals of Christmas, Tom learns that you can embrace both. He even suggests leaving some Reindeer Treats out for Santa, showing his mum that he is at last, #ReindeerReady.
The campaign re-emphasises the innocence and escapism Christmas brings, and celebrates the unique role that McDonald’s plays in the lives of the nation at Christmas, often a familiar pit stop amid traditional rituals.
‘Inner Child’ will appear nationwide this week and run for six weeks across TV, VOD and social with media planning and buying led by OMD. McDonald’s will be releasing teaser films over the course of the weekend, with 10 second spots featuring during The Voice and The Chase.
Michelle Graham-Clare, Vice President, Menu and Marketing said: “Our heart-warming tale of Tom and his mum aims to reignite the magic of Christmas across the UK and Ireland this winter. That moment as the pair reconnect over the reindeer treats, saved from their trip through the Drive Thru, represents the common truth of children determined to grow up but swept up by the festive spirit. I am sure it is a feeling that will be familiar to so many families and in this year we are proud to be spreading some much-needed Christmas cheer with this multi-channel campaign.
“We are delighted to be working with Becky once more following her sensational appearance at our recent music event I’m Lovin’ It Live. Her stunning performance of Forever Young adds an additional sparkle to this beautiful creative and I am incredibly grateful that she has chosen to support FareShare with the release of the single too. It’s been a really challenging year and I hope our contribution to the competitive Christmas campaign window raises a much-needed smile.”
Chaka Sobhani, CCO at Leo Burnett added: “Tom and his mum perfectly demonstrate the truth of the teenage / child conflict that we can all relate to, and ultimately the magic of Christmas in bringing people closer together. After all, if you can’t be ‘forever young’ at Christmas, when can you be?”
The heartwarming film is accompanied by British singer and songwriter Becky Hill’s remake of the iconic track Forever Young, which is due to be released on 15th November, with 10p from every download going to FareShare, the UK’s longest running food redistribution charity.
McDonald’s announced its partnership with FareShare in October, to provide one million meals for families in need. Earlier this year, as the first lock down was announced, McDonald’s donated over 400,000 tonnes of food to FareShare, food Drop and other food banks and charities.
Credits
CAMPAIGN TITLE: Inner Child
CLIENT: McDonald’s
ADVERTISING AGENCY: Leo Burnett
McDonald’s Brand Team
Vice President of Marketing: Michelle Graham-Clare
Marketing and Food Director: Steve Howells
Marketing Manager: Hannah Pain
Senior Brand Manager: Hollie Subhan
Brand Manager: Anna Kerr
Campaign Assistant: Chansey White
Creative agency: Leo Burnett
CCO: Chaka Sobhani
Creative Director: James Millers & Andrew Long
Creative Team: Steph Ellis & Rory Hall
Head of Planning: Tom Sussman,
Planning Director: Joe Beveridge
Planner: Thomas Schofield
Business Lead: Bethany Watts
Account Team: Steph Bates, Laura Taylor, Alice Pavey, Annie Flood
Project Director: Emily Green
Head of TV Production: Graeme Light
Media Buying Agency: OMD
Production company: Passion Pictures
Director: Againstallodds
Exec Producer: Debbie Crosscup
Head of Production: Mike Turoff
Producer: Matt Saxton
Production Assistant: Honor Martin, Nefeli Petika
CG Co-ordinators: Emma Rider
Head of CG: Jason Nicholas
CG Supervisor: Stuart Hall
Animation Supervisor: Wesley Coman
Character Design: Againstallodds, Juan Useche
Background Design: Alejandro Diaz, Jules Durand
Research & Development: Ronnie Mitchell
Boardomatic / Animatic: Againstallodds
PREVIZ: George Rigby, Wesley Coman
Editing: Againstallodds, Kingley Bailey, Christina Conradi, Tim King
Layout: David Burtle, Jason Nicolas
Modelling (character): Mattias Bjurstrom, Filippo Bovolini, Florent Rousseau
Modelling (environment): Florent Rousseau, Jack Enever, Maryka Laudet, Quentin Camus, Camille Jalabert
Texturing: James Nardelli, Maryka Laudet, Quentin Camus, Jose Hernandez, Francois Pons, Camille Jalabert, Fanny Teisson, Interference Pattern, Jack Enever
Texturing Characters: Eva Prado
Rigging: Victor Vinyalls, Mattias Bjurstrom, Arthur Ranson, Sarah Forest
Hair Groom: Keyvan Leriche
Animation: Wesley Coman, George Rigby, Alan Person, Lucas Pratdesaba, Francisco Garcia, Jordi Girones
SFX & SIM: Colin Perrett, Kwai Ip, Derlene Buttner, Tyler Daniells , Stephane Daguin
Lighting & Rendering: Howard Bell, Jose Hernandez, Francois Pons, Ian Beresford, Stuart Hall
Compositing: Sam Meisels, Daniel Lopez, Flavio Kawamoto
Matte / Background Painting: Sam Klughertz
Post-Production: Framestore
Passion Pipeline TD: Javier Edo, Tony Ambles
IT Support / Engineering: Tim Wharton, Daniel Borg, Thomas Lynch
OMD:
Account Team: Amy Lea, Laurence Ruthven, Eleonora Sceusi
Media Planners: Jamie Callaghan, Becky France
Media Buyers: Alex Neary, Alex D’Albertanson
The Marketing Store:
Digital Creative Director: Darren Groucutt
Creative Technology Director: Hils Jakison
Senior Creative: Mark Kelly
Senior Creative: Vanessa Tucker
Digital Designer: Jade Wilson
Account Team: Emily Duggan, Alice Napier, Madhushri Nadgir
Source: McDonalds
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