This spot takes the legs out from under the classic saying, “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” We open on a man in a Santa’s outfit sitting at the kitchen table, shoveling food into his mouth. He’s pulled his fake beard down in order to eat. Behind him stands a little girl who’s excited to see Santa in her home.
However, her happy expression turns to one of disappointment when Santa turns around and she recognizes that it’s just her dad dressed as old St. Nick.
It’s the kind of a moment that could leave an emotional scar. There’s no quick fix for something like this–or is there?
Enter McCain’s Smooth-eez, which we see whipped up quickly before our eyes. A frozen mix concoction is thrown into a blender, milk is added, and voile, a refreshing strawberry smoothie sits tall in an inviting glass.
Next the girl is happy, slurping the smoothie through a straw. Happily the Santa fiasco is a distant memory. A voiceover relates, “New Smooth-eez from McCain. Ready, just in time.”
This :15 was one in a package directed by Michael Downing via Untitled, Toronto, for agency Taxi, Toronto. (Downing directs stateside via harvest, Santa Monica.)
Peter Davis executive produced for Untitled, with Tom Evelyn serving as producer. The DP was Andre Pienaar.
The Taxi creative team consisted of executive creative director Zak Mroueh, associate creative director Lance Martin, copywriter Ryan Wagman, art director Guybrush Taylor and producer Jennifer Mete.
Editor was Aaron Dark of School Editing, Toronto. Colorist was Bill Ferwerda of Notch, Toronto. Inferno artist was David Whitesen of Crush, Toronto. Audio director/mixer was Rocco Gagliese of The Eggplant, Toronto. Principal actors were Marvin Hinz and Shae Norris.
