UK. Heathrow Airport today launched its second annual Christmas advert, again starring Doris and Edward Bair, two teddy bears who made their film debut last Christmas.
The first advert was so successful that Heathrow Airport has decided it bears repeating.
The new edition opens in the 1960s, when the bears first set eyes on each other. Edward accidentally leaves his (threadbear) coat on an aircraft when returning from a business trip. Doris, the airline’s air stewardess, not wanting her passenger to leave bear-handed, chases after him.
As she bears down on him, their eyes meet. Doris returns the coat. He bears her kindness in mind and the rest is history (well, her story too).
The ad is set to the distinctive sentimental sound of Petula Clark’s ‘Couldn’t Live Without Your Love’ (understood to have been marginally preferred to The Bear Necessities of Life). It involves a series of tender moments across the bears’ 50-year history in which Doris and Edward, who cannot bear to be apart, are brought closer together every Christmas, often bearing gifts.
Each time they are seen, their love story develops in different ways but always they find their bearings in the same location – Heathrow’s arrivals hall. As Doris and Edward (the forbears) grow older and the backdrop and outfits change, other members of the Bair family [fortunately none called Tony -Ed] are introduced.
The advert sees the re-ignition of the partnership between Heathrow and film direction by DOM&NIC through Outsider Productions and animation from The Mill.
Creative was led by advertising agency HAVAS London. To create a nostalgic backdrop location, much of the advert was filmed in the historical Terminal 1, which closed to passengers in 2016 after over 50 years. British Airways provided an original BOAC aircraft, air hostess uniforms and additional historical details to help convey the authentic history of air travel.
Heathrow Commercial Director Ross Baker said: “After an overwhelming response across the globe to Doris and Edward last year, we had to bring these lovable bears back to our screens. We hear from our passengers that there is no greater feeling than being wrapped in the arms of a loved one at Christmas. We wanted the advert to capture this unique feeling and make people feel even more excited to welcome friends and family this festive season.”
The film has launched on YouTube, and will be shared via social channels, programmatic video, broadcast VOD and OOH. Passengers booking Heathrow’s complimentary Personal Shopping service will also receive a limited-edition scarf with unique bears design, created by Karen Mabon, when they make a purchase.
[Doris and Edward made their debut in this 2016 Heathrow Airport commercial. Clearly the idea bears repeating.]
