Waitrose Christmas advert 2016 is here! When is it on TV and what’s it all about?
A ROBIN who embarks on an epic journey back to the UK just for a peck of a Waitrose mince pie is the star of the latest big budget Christmas ad.
After sister firm John Lewis’s trampoline-loving Buster the Boxer advert made Brits laugh, the Waitrose robin is a tearjerker.
What's it about?
The 90 second advert - called Coming Home - reflects the real-life migration of a young Scandinavian robin on an eventful journey across mountains and seas back to his garden in the UK.
What's the message behind it?
The team behind the fully computer-generated bird said every element of the story had been fact-checked by experts to ensure it was "as close to reality as possible".
It is no surprise to learn it was made by advertising agency adam&eveDDB - who have made Waitrose’s sister firm John Lewis’s ads in recent years including 2012’s The Journey.
That tells the story of a snowman who goes on an epic journey much like Waitrose’s robin.
Rupert Thomas, Waitrose boss, said: “Coming home is a central theme at Christmas when welcoming, hosting and providing a special meal for loved ones is at the heart of celebrations. Sharing the best possible food and drink with family and friends is one of the great joys of the festive period and we hope that the determination of our robin resonates with viewers as they follow his journey back to where he belongs. It’s a story of love, courage and the importance of enjoyment with family and friends.”
Richard Brim, from adam&eveDDB, said: “We’re really proud of this plucky little fella and his plight to get home for Christmas. It’s a warming story that speaks to the spirit of togetherness in the festive season and the joy of just coming home. It feels like a great way to wrap up a great year for Waitrose.’
A book telling the story of the advert will arrive in branches and independent book shops from tomorrow.
What's this year's song?
The epic journey is matched by the equally epic soundtrack by Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, adapting his track ‘Cambridge, 1963’ from his Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning score for The Theory of Everything.
When is it on TV?
The advert launches tonight during ITV’s The X Factor Results. It follows on from John Lewis’ Buster the Boxer on Wednesday and M&S’s story of Mrs Clause which launched on Friday. Sainsbury’s festive offering - the other big player in the battle for the best Christmas commercial - will air on TV at Monday at 9.15pm.
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