Heathrow Airport’s Christmas Ad With Two Old Teddy Bears Makes Britain Feel Happy Again

London’s Heathrow Airport has released its first-ever Christmas commercial, a cute 70-second spot that’s starting to trend on Facebook with more than 3 million views and growing. And no wonder—it’s an adorable little story that shows the bears landing, going through immigration, getting their baggage and more.

The ending is sweet, too, if maybe a little abrupt, featuring a kind of reverse Monty the Penguin moment for the bears:

The spot was created by Havas London and directed by Dom&Nic through Outsider Productions, with animation by The Mill. Curved Arrow handled the music, choosing the Chas & Dave song “I’m Going Back” for the soundtrack. The ad was filmed over three days while Heathrow was fully operational.

“Christmas is my favorite time of year at Heathrow. The airport is abuzz with families and friends reuniting for this special time of year,” says Heathrow’s commercial director Jonathan Coen. “We love the film and hope the bears’ journey through the airport captures that excitement you feel when walking through Heathrow arrivals into the arms of your loved ones at Christmas.”

The spot is part of brand campaign marking Heathrow’s 70th anniversary. Its first-ever TV spot, also by Havas, launched earlier this year.

CREDITS
Client: Heathrow Airport
Creative Agency: Havas London
Creative Director: Ben Mooge
Creative: Daniel Bolton, Barnaby Packham
TV Producer: Kiri Carch
Assistant Producer (Agency): Femi Ladi
Film Production: Outsider
Director: Dom&Nic
Postproduction, Animation: The Mill
Music Supervision: Lisa McCaffery, Oliver Jay at Curved Arrow