Christmas adverts 2015: Sainsbury’s is feline festive with Mog the Cat campaign and charity tie up with Save the Children and HarperCollins
If John Lewis' Christmas ad didn't do it for you, perhaps Sainsbury's will be more your cup of tea.
The supermarket, which last year came out of nowhere with its tear-jerker themed around the First World War, could be about to convincingly steal John Lewis' crown.
Because Sainsbury's has gone all-out for 2015, securing beloved children's author Judith Kerr to write a story on which the entire campaign has been based.
Kerr has reprised her much-loved character Mog in full festive mode – but as usual the cat causes mayhem, ruining the Thomas family's Christmas. However, just when they think they'll be left sitting in a nearly-destroyed house, with a burnt turkey and no presents, their friends and family step in to save the day. The campaign strapline, which is being used as the hashtag on social media, is a repeat of last year's: Christmas is for sharing.
Like John Lewis, Sainsbury's is running the campaign in conjunction with a charity – specifically Save the Children, which is hoping to impove child literacy across the UK under its Read On, Get On initiative.
Publisher HarperCollins Children's Books is also working with the supermarket and charity, printing an unspecified number of Mog's Christmas Calamity books, which will be available in every Sainsbury supermarket and convenience store in the country. The books are priced at an “accessible” £3, and will be sold alongside a plush Mog toy for £10, with all the profits going to Save the Children.
Sainsbury's declined to comment on the cost of the three minute and 30 second-long advert, which was created by design agency AMV BBDO and animated by the house behind Paddington The Movie, Framestore.
Directed by James Rouse, and co-produced by Sainsbury’s and HarperCollins Children’s Books, the campaign has been created in collaboration with 92-year-old Kerr, who also makes a cameo appearance in the film.
Mark Given, director of planning and propositions at Sainsbury’s, said: “For many families the sharing of stories is an important part of their Christmas celebrations and is often a tradition that is passed down through generations. This year, we’re proud to be working with renowned children’s author Judith Kerr to create a magical new Mog story to be enjoyed by parents and children and to support the important cause of helping Save the Children to improve child literacy in the UK.”