McDonald's focuses on family in heartwarming ad about a boy's Christmas list

Tom Hooper directs UK campaign from Leo Burnett which is linked to a mobile experience

Published On
Nov 10, 2022

Editor's Pick

McDonald's U.K. holiday spot this year revolves around a little boy making a "Christmas List," but its message emphasizes family togetherness rather than the receipt of material goods.

The heartwarming ad by Leo Burnett London tells the story of a little boy named Alfie, who gets carried away with the excitement of writing a Christmas List. His list reaches an incredible length before it accidentally blows away in the wind.

To cheer him up, his parents take him on a trip to McDonald's and when his mom asks him what was on the list anyway, he shows her a drawing of him standing between his two parents. The ad was helmed by Hollywood director Tom Hooper ("Les Miserables," "Cats") and the soundtrack, recorded by Becky Hill, is a cover of Yazoo’s iconic 80s track "Only You."

The spot itself is the jumping off point for a mobile campaign by McDonald's, also called the Alternative Christmas List. Launching on Nov. 14, it invites fans to enjoy six "experiences," released weekly in the build up to Christmas, all of which have been created to enhance a shared family moment. They will include McDonald’s festive pyjamas and sweaters, a touring festive photobooth, McDelivery Christmas carol singers and a festive audio book for those families driving home for Christmas.

“We can all get a bit carried away by the excitement of Christmas, but we all know it’s those small moments with loved ones that matter the most," said Chaka Sobhani, Chief Creative Officer at Leo Burnett UK and Global, in a statement. "We hope the Alternative Christmas List taps into that, particularly in such a difficult year, and gets people up and down the country proper reindeer ready.”

 

 

Credits

Date
Nov 10, 2022
Client :
McDonald's-UK
Agency :
Leo Burnett-London
Client :
McDonald's
CCO :
Chaka Sobhani
Executive Creative Director :
Mark Elwood
Creative Director :
James Millers
Creative Director :
Andrew Long
Senior Creative :
Joe Miller
Creative Director of Design :
David Allen
Senior Designer :
Rupert Knowlden
Designer :
Jakk Breedon
Head of Planning :
Tom Sussman
Strategy Director :
Hamish Cameron
Senior Strategist :
Roxy Windisch
Business Lead :
Steph Bates
Account Director :
Jack Brenman
Senior Account Manager :
Nicola Kuan
Account Manager :
Florence Potter
Project Director :
Siobhan Mulcahy
TV Producer :
Graeme Light
Production Company :
Smuggler
Director :
Tom Hooper
Editor :
Russell Icke
Producer :
Ella Sedgwick
Post-Production Company :
Framestore
Audio Post-Production Company :
750mph
Chief Marketing Officer S.V.P :
Michelle Graham-Clare
Director of Marketing & Media :
Steve Howells
Head of Marketing :
Hannah Pain
Head of Consumer Communications & Partnerships :
Louise Page
Brand Manager :
Amber Myers
Assistant Brand Manager :
Emma Pellegrinelli
Campaign Assistant :
Callum Seviour
Marketing Placement :
Rian Wilson
PR Manager :
Melodie Richards
Media Agency :
OMD
PR Agency :
Red Consultancy
Social Agency :
Oliver
Customer Engagement Agency :
The Marketing Store
CRM :
Armadillo
POPS :
Linney
VFX :
Framestore
VFX Supervisor :
Ross Wilkinson
2D Supervisor :
Matt Thomas
2D Supervisor :
Ollie Bersey
CG Supervisor :
Henrique Campanha
Senior Producer :
Alexia Paterson
VFX Production Coordinator :
Poppy Chadwick
Production Assistant :
Conor Garnett
Flame :
Darran Nicholson
Flame :
Aadel Matoorianpour
Colorist :
Steffan Perry

Need a credit fix? Contact the Creativity Editors

Industry
Project Type