TV Commercial Review
Memorable
Effective
Style
Heart or Humor
Execution
Good
The McDonald’s Christmas ad for 2020 is an animated tale that tells the heart-warming story of a mother desperately trying to encourage her teenage son to put down his screens and take part in family rituals in the run-up to Christmas.
The advert was created by advertising agency Leo Burnett, animation by Passion Pictures, and post-production from Framestore.
The story, which will ring true for many young people and parents, is set to the tear-jerking, iconic track ‘Forever Young’. Originally released by Alphaville in 1984, Becky Hill has made it her own with a stripped back version, which is available here .
The release comes as McDonald’s pledges to donate funding to enable FareShare to redistribute a further four million meals to families in need before next Easter as part of the same campaign. This means that together with the donation before October half term, the restaurant company will help to fund the redistribution of over five million meals to those families most in need.
McDonald’s Christmas advert is featured on our The 10 Best Christmas Adverts 2020
Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “In a year like no other, I am proud that we can stand together with organisations like FareShare and the End Child Food Poverty Task Force to support those in greatest need. Together with our franchisees, we will provide funding to the charity to enable them to redistribute over five million meals to vulnerable families.
“We hope our FareShare partnership goes some way to supporting families in need in the communities in which we operate this Christmas and into 2021.
“Alongside this partnership, whether it is through our longstanding charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities or the hundreds of local and national good causes we and our franchisees support, we are committed to supporting families facing adversity.”
On the Christmas campaign, Michelle Graham-Clare, Vice President, Marketing, and Menu said about McDonald’s Christmas ad: “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.”
FareShare Commercial Director Alyson Walsh said: “We’re extremely grateful that McDonald’s is extending its generous support to our mission and specifically enabling us to get meals to those in need between now and Easter. We know first-hand how much communities are struggling at the moment and this partnership means that we can support grass roots organisations across the UK with much-needed food both now and in the months to come.”
The full version of Becky Hill’s rendition of Forever Young is available from today, with the singer giving 10p from every download going to food charity FareShare.
Becky Hill said, “Being a part of a Christmas campaign like this has been a dream of mine for a long time. The message in the McDonalds advert is one I wish I’d seen when I was a teenager; take every moment in the purest form as life changes quickly. This Christmas, I am celebrating without two very important people in my life & this campaign has reminded me just how precious every Christmas with my nearest & dearest. To be given a chance to support other families in need with FareShare & the amazing work they do is also an added beautiful moment for me. I feel very lucky. Merry Christmas.”
