This moving French holiday ad is a tribute to healthcare workers
Intermarche's spot isn't about COVID-19 exactly, but it's fitting for 2020
Editor's Pick
French supermarket Intermarche pays tribute to healthcare workers in its holiday ad this year, and although the story isn't about COVID-19, the pandemic clearly underlines the role they have played this year.
The three minute spot, from agency Romance and director Katia Lewkowicz, centers on the family of a stroke patient who spends a long time in hospital, and a dedicated nurse involved in his care. It emphasizes the stress and trauma of the family as they wait for news, including the role of the teenage son who helps his mother through the experience, and the relief all round when the patient recovers. At the end, the medical team is rewarded with a Christmas feast from the family. The spot is set to the song “Jusqu’à mon dernier souffle” ("Until my last breath") by Terrenoire.
According to the creative team, including copywriter Philippe Pinel and art director Julien Rézette, the agency "didn't want to pretend that nothing had happened this year," but with the choice of a stroke patient, it intended to pay homage to the health workers not only for what they are doing this year but for what they always do.
"We wanted to pay tribute to all those who, during these difficult times, have taken care of others this year and still continue to do so," they added in an email to Ad Age. "This includes the health workers, obviously, but also all those who have tried their best to help people who needed it. To us, the character of Enzo (the teenager who takes care of his mother) kind of embodies the acts of solidarity that a lot of people did for each other during this crisis. Furthermore, if sick people were all over the news this year, we’ve noticed that their families (who worry a lot without even being allowed to visit their relatives because of the contagion) have been a little bit forgotten."
The spot is the latest long-form collaboration between Romance and Lewkowicz for Intermarche; other efforts have included a 2017 ad in which kids help Santa to slim down.
Credits
- Date
- Nov 30, 2020
- Client :
- Intermarche
- Agency :
- Romance
- Marketing and Communication Director :
- Anne-Marie Gaultier
- Strategic and Operational Marketing Manager :
- Vincent Bronsard
- Brand and Communication Director :
- Anne Guivarc’h
- Brand and Communication Manager :
- Camille Sassi
- Advertising Manager :
- Aurélie Ansart
- Brand Manager :
- Julie Antoine
- CEO :
- Christophe Lichtenstein
- Executive Creative Director :
- Alexandre Herve
- Copywriter :
- Philippe Pinel
- Copywriter :
- Alexandre Herve
- Art Director :
- Julien Rézette
- Senior Strategic Planner :
- Jérôme Lavillat
- Account Team :
- Marie-Laure Dangeon
- Account Team :
- Marie-Laure Dangeon
- Account Team :
- Emilie Franck
- Account Team :
- Arthur Amis
- Account Team :
- Julie Valero
- TV Producer :
- Emilie Talpaert
- Director :
- Katia Lewkowicz
- Production :
- Grand Bazar
- Producer :
- Juliette Desmarescaux
- Post Production :
- La maison& Mikros
- Music Supervision :
- Alexandre Rabia
- Sound Production :
- Schmooze
Need a credit fix? Contact the Creativity Editors
Related work

Intermarche: A town bids a grand farewell to its beloved teacher in heart-tugging ad for Intermarche

Intermarche: Closed doors and tantalizing footsteps symbolize the end of French lockdown in Intermarche's emotive spot

Intermarche: Tomatoes and tears--a widower painstakingly recreates his love's recipe in Intermarche's bittersweet tale
