The Bears are back in Town: Heathrow unveils new Christmas ad
New ad reveals the story behind airports’ much-loved Mr and Mrs Bair
Heathrow has today unveiled its second-ever Christmas advert, showing the 50-year-long love story of Doris and Edward Bair, the airports much-loved teddy bears, who were shown in the airports first Christmas TV ad last year.
The advert opens in the 60’s where the bears first set eyes on each other. Edward was still his clumsy self, leaving his coat on an aircraft by accident when returning from a business trip. Doris, the airline’s air stewardess, notices and chases after him. She wouldn’t want to see a passenger get cold.
Their eyes meet: the rest is history.
Set to the distinctive sentimental sound of Petula Clark’s ‘Couldn’t Live Without Your Love’, we see a series of tender and charming moments across their fifty-year history in which Doris and Edward are brought closer together every Christmas. Each time we see them, their love story develops in different ways but always in the same location - Heathrow arrivals hall. As they grow older and the backdrop (and outfits) change, we start to meet the rest of the Bair family who come along to greet them in the same spot where they first met.
The advert sees the re-ignition of the partnership between Heathrow and film direction by DOM&NIC through Outsider Productions and animation from The Mill. Creative was led by advertising agency HAVAS London. To create a nostalgic backdrop location, much of the advert was filmed in the historical Terminal 1; which closed to passengers in 2016 after over 50 years of travel reunions.
Ross Baker, Heathrow’s Commercial Director said: “After an overwhelming response across the globe to Doris and Edward last year, we had to bring these lovable bears back to our screens. We hear from our passengers that there is no greater feeling than being wrapped in the arms of a loved one at Christmas. We wanted the advert to capture this unique feeling and make people feel even more excited to welcome friends and family this festive season.”
The film has launched on YouTube, and will be shared via social channels, programmatic video, broadcast VOD and OOH. Passengers booking Heathrow’s complimentary Personal Shopping service will also receive a limited-edition scarf with unique bears design, created by Karen Mabon, when they make a purchase.