CHI&Partners launched an extreme winter sport-powered 60-second holiday ad for Argos entitled “Just Can’t Wait for Christmas.”
“Just Can’t For Christmas” opens with Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux heading down a mountainside in Chile’s Valle Nevado, carrying a red flare. Soon he’s joined by a large cast of skiers, snowboarders and more, as well as snow-mobiles, snow-buggies and other vehicles filled with Argos’ top holiday gifts. Star Wars-masked stuntmen wearing wing-suits close out the action, followed by the “#justcantwait” tagline. All the high-adrenaline action was captured by director Mark Zibert using a combination of GoPro, drone and hand-held cameras, with some of the crew on skis to get a better view of the action. The fast pace of the ad and the tagline are meant to promote Argos’ Fast Track collection and delivery services. While the spot perhaps could have done more to explain the connection, it’s certainly a welcome change of pace from the typical holiday advertising. The broadcast spot will be supported by digital content focusing on the same theme.
“We wanted to create a Christmas experience which would provide a breath – or a gulp – of fresh air, in amongst all of the usual cuddly animals, love songs and sentimentalism; and which heralds the most 21st century way to shop – online combined with immediate fulfilment through delivery or store,” said Argos marketing director Stephen Vowles.
“This ‘Fast Track’ advert is just as exciting to watch as it was to make,” added CHI&Partners deputy executive creative director Jim Bolton. “We hope it gets people’s hearts pumping, and reminds them that Christmas isn’t just about tearful moments and family hugs. It’s also about joy, excitement and a playful dollop of fun in the snow – not to mention fast and convenient shopping.”
Credits:
Brand: Argos
Carl Nield, Head of Brand Marketing
Stephen Vowles, Marketing Director
Nicki Brown, Advertising Manager
Becky Desert, Advertising Manager
Agency:
ECD: Jonathan Burley
CD: Jim Bolton
Creatives: Colin Smith & Angus Vine
Planners: Sarah Clark & Josh Roth
Producer: Matt Cresswell
CEO: Sarah Golding
Business Director: Gary Simmons
Account Director: Charmaine Murray
Account Manager: Libby Clifton-Astley
Creative Producer: Cara Swindell & Marianne Paton
Designer: Richard Forder
Production Company: Rogue
Director: Mark Zibert
Executive Producer: Charlie Crompton
Producer: James Howland
Directors of Photography: Mark Zibert, Spencer Francey, Miguel “Chopo” Diaz, Cristian Petit-Laurent, Alfredo Escobar
First Assistant Director: Eric Kaskens
Editing: Final Cut
Editor: James Rosen
Post-Production / Visual FX: Electric Theatre Collective
Post-Production Producer: Serena Noorani
VFX Supervisors: Yourick Van Impe & Giles Cheetham
Sound Studio: 750mph
Sound Engineer: Sam Ashwell
Title of Music: “Troika” as composed by Sergei Prokofiev
Music Type/Source: Original composition of existing track
Music Search Co Contact: Dave Goulding
Music Search Company: Wake The Town
Publisher: Imagem Music
Record Company: Wake The Town
Composer/Arranger: Tom Player for Wake The Town
Artist/Performer: Sofia Session Orchestra & Choir
Voiceover: Miquita Oliver
Media Agency: Mindshare
Media Planners: Mark Baschnonga & Laura Flewitt
Social Media Agency: AllTogetherNow
Social Media Planner: Jason Andrews