Vodafone: A Christmas Love Story – featuring Martin Freeman

Vodafone give us a blockbuster campaign this holiday season to let us know their new flexible contract has us covered when we need it most. They’ve cast a leading British star and produced a series of individual episodes to build us a story of love, desire and one where technology comes to save the day. Read through our notes and scores right here in our quick review.

Memorability – 8 / 10

Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins to most of us) has a catchy and witty personality that will relate strongly with a large range of mature millennials and middle-aged men throughout Britain. He represents the kind of character that is not impressed easily and is quick to point out wherever things seem to fall a little short. This set of ads by Vodafone really does reflect the target markets desire for superior coverage and flexibility without coming across too gimmicky or pushy. The story that is built before us is charming and humorous which ties in neatly with the markets persuasion for realistic visions of certainty and comfortable living.

Effectiveness 8 / 10

Anyone looking for a mobile telephone product or contract this season will be pressed to at least consider Vodafone after taking in this campaign. The long story told throughout these multiple series entries makes the campaign far more gripping when compared with other ads in the market. The concepts behind the product are explained clearly and attractively through clever use of an extensive dialogue.

Style – 8 / 10

The production value in the ad is superb. Most of the scenes occur in modest dwellings or outside in common public lifestyle locations. Nothing too bling or out of the ordinary for our relatable cast of likable characters. As the series plays out the story becomes more and more engaging. This takes the commercial to a whole new level of script writing that is captivating and effective at promoting the products core USP, flexibility around the consumer.

Heart or Humor – 8 / 10

The humor is very likable and heartfelt moments fill the scenes of the final chapters. The story never wonders into the realms of ultra dramatization as many would expect. The characters stay grounded and easily relatable. We want the main character to succeed and find what he is looking for. This is a great and powerful symbol of the gratitude we feel when we find our lives greatly improved by the types of services promoted by this clip.

Execution – 8 / 10

No expense has been spared to ensure this series of clips is enticing, rich with story and appeals to us on a level that is far beyond conventional TV marketing concepts. This feels gimmick free and as entertaining as it is informative. Virgin media are going through great pains to condition their brand in the seat of dominance within the “comfortable family living” genre, and what better way to do that than to appeal to our sense of longing, love, and hope. A great concept that has been constructed with precision and sound direction. Very easy to enjoy and very memorable for it!