Argos, the UK store chain, is running “Just Can’t Wait For Christmas”, a Christmas advertising campaign connecting mountain-side snow sports with the fast delivery offered over the next month. Filmed in Valle Nevado in Chile, the commercial shows world-class Canadian snowboarder Justin Lamoureux leaping from a 10-metre ledge holding a red flare. The film then follows a cast of 50 professional skiers and snowboarders as they rush down the mountainside – led by Lamoureux and surrounded by snow-mobiles, snow-buggies, zorbs, and even an Elsa bed from Disney’s Frozen, filled with Argos’ top Christmas gifts, including Beats headphones, Minions, Xboxes, TVs, wearable tech and toys. Hovering overhead, wing-suited Star Wars-masked stuntmen complete the action. The campaign highlights top brands available at Argos this Christmas such as Samsung, Fitbit, Nespresso and Xbox, alongside Argos’ new Fast Track Collection and Same-Day Delivery services.
The film was shot using a combination of GoPro, drone and hand-held cameras. Some of the 100-strong crew were also on skis, allowing them to get right into the heart of the action.
Stephen Vowles, Argos Marketing Director, said: “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.”
Jim Bolton, Deputy Executive Creative Director at CHI&Partners, said: “This ‘Fast Track’ advert is just as exciting to watch as it was to make. 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.”
The TV ad will be supported by a broader Christmas campaign built on the creative concept of ‘Just Can’t Wait for Christmas’. The campaign will extend across digital and non-digital channels.
Credits
The Argos Just Can’t Wait For Christmas ad was developed at CHI & Partners London by executive creative director Jonathan Burley, CEO Sarah Golding, creative director Jim Bolton, creatives Colin Smith and Angus Vine, art worker Richard Forder, strategic planners Sarah Clark and Josh Roth, account director Charmaine Murray, account manager Libby Clifton-Astley, business director Gary Simmons, working with Argos marketing team Carl Nield, Stephen Vowles, Nicki Brown, Becky Desert
Media was handled at MindShare by planners Mark Baschnonga and Laura Flewitt. Social media was handled at AllTogetherNow. Digital display is by Summit.
Filming was shot by director Mark Zibert via Rogue Films with producers Matt Cresswell and James Howland, executive producer Charlie Crompton, creative producers Cara Swindle and Marianne Paton, directors of photography Spencer Francey, Miguel Chopo Diaz, Cristian Petit-Laurent, Alfredo Escobar,
Editor was James Rosen at Final Cut with assistant editor James Stubbs.
Post production was done at Electric Theatre Collective by producer Serena Noorani, production assist Libby Behrens, lead Flame artist Yourick van Impe, shoot supervisor Giles Cheetham, 2D assist team Andrew Stewart, Matt Jackson, Ally Burnett, Chris Fraser, Sherin Mahboob, Pat Wong, Alex Prod’homme, Alex Grey, Bernardo Varela, Garrett Honn, Tane Welham, Taran Spear, DMP David Gibbons, CG lead Remi Dessinges, CG team Julien Soulage, Hendrik Freuer, Remi Gamiette, Rimelle Khayat, Deniz Cinar, Nile Hylton, Anthony Arnoux, Alan Cocksedge, Luping Shi, Tony Atherton, Fatih Dogan, Francesco Pelosi, Milen Piskuliyski, Joao Pires, Karen Halliwell, Laury Guitrand, Sean Elliott, Mak Knighton, and colourist Lewis Crossfield.
Sound was produced at 750mph by sound engineer Sam Ashwell. Music, “Troika”, is by Sergei Prokofiev. Voiceover is by Miqutia Oliver.
