Buddy the Elf Makes His Advertising Debut as an Eager Store Employee in Asda’s Christmas Campaign

This is the first time that the movie and character have been licensed for brand marketing

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The 2003 movie Elf has become a beloved Christmas classic, but its main character, played by Will Ferrell, has never appeared in a holiday ad—until now.

Buddy the Elf is the star of British supermarket Asda’s Christmas campaign, marking the first time the film has been licensed for brand marketing.

In the ad, created by agency Havas London, Buddy tries out for a job at an Asda store. But with his overeager festive cheerfulness—recognizable from his antics in the movie—he causes a bit of disruption as the employees prepare for another busy holiday season.

In one scene, the oversized elf gets sidetracked from the shop floor while promising two coworkers that they’ll make snow angels and go ice skating.

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