Sainsbury's Celebrates Christmas With The BFG

The magic of Christmas has begun as Sainsbury's debuts its exciting new advert today. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s timeless and cherished story, the new Christmas advert features the beloved BFG alongside Sainsbury’s colleagues as they take viewers on a whimsical culinary adventure.

The ad opens with a captivating scene featuring the infamous ugly vegetable, a towering, knobbly, black-and-white striped snozzcumber that will evoke memories of the beloved book. Suddenly – thud! – a cleaver comes in and chops it in half. Meanwhile, off-camera, a familiar voice is fantasising about much more pleasant alternatives, “Prawn Coat-tails, Beef Welly-boot, Wigs in Blankets”.

The camera zooms in on a 24-foot-tall giant with enormous ears, only to discover that it is in fact the BFG, surrounded by magical clutter in his secret cave lined with row upon row of dream jars. After a moment’s contemplation, he turns to the camera and asks, “Hey Sainsbury’s, how can we make this Christmas a bit more… phizz-whizzing?”

A Sainsbury's name badge labelled 'Sophie' appears. A colleague in a car park returns a trolley when a colossal sneeze blasts snowflakes and sets off car alarms. A towering figure emerges, and a mighty cloak is lowered to reveal the BFG crouching in the shadows behind the trolley park.

“BFG!” exclaims Sophie, “I hear you need our help”. There’s a brief pause as the BFG’s enormous fingers stretch out and unfurl onto the ground in front of her, “As a matter of fact, I does” he replies.

The ad cuts to the BFG and Sophie travelling in search of great tasting food, sourcing fresh produce from Sainsbury’s trusted suppliers—including salmon, Brussels sprouts, and deliciously crumbly Stilton cheese.

The camera pans out to reveal a bountiful dining table in the BFG’s dream cave overflowing with delectable Taste the Difference and Sainsbury’s dishes, including a roasted Carrot Galette, a Smoked Salmon and Maple Terrine, and a delicious Golden Forest dessert.

The retailer has again enlisted the support of real Sainsbury’s store colleagues to take part in the advert. A Food Services Assistant and keen drama student, she stars in her acting debut as the BFG’s friend Sophie, highlighting the vital role Sainsbury’s colleagues play at Christmas and all year round.

The ad concludes as we see Sophie and the BFG wishing each other a Merry Christmas and Stephen Fry inviting customers to seek the retailer’s expertise, asking “Want to go big this Christmas? Ask Sainsbury’s. Good Food for all of us”.

Emma Bisley, head of campaigns, at Sainsbury’s, said: “The festive season is about making wonderful memories, and we're here to help our customers create a truly unforgettable Christmas with family and friends, especially when it comes to food.

“At Sainsbury’s, providing good food for all of us is at the heart of everything we do.  We want to offer a diverse range of high-quality food products suitable for any occasion, whether customers are looking for new holiday delights or classic festive favourites, Sainsbury's has something to satisfy every taste and budget through this year’s Christmas range.

“Collaborating with the Roald Dahl Story Company this year was a remarkable opportunity to tap into the nostalgia and heartwarming spirit that the BFG embodies and we hope that this advert captures the nation's hearts and fills them with joy.”

The BFG is one of Roald Dahl’s most beloved and enduring stories, regularly featuring in the top 10 most popular children’s stories in the UK. With over 21 million copies sold worldwide and translated into 49 languages, it continues to capture the imaginations of generations globally.

Natalie Hopkins, director of global product and partnerships at the Roald Dahl Story Company, said: “By collaborating with Sainsbury’s to bring Roald Dahl’s beloved BFG to life in a new story, we hope the nation is as captivated as we are to see two old friends back together this Christmas.”

The BFG is perfect for Sainsbury’s mission to create a Big Christmas for all. Having only snozzcumbers to devour in Giant Country, his curiosity for good food leads to an adventure of discovery and wonderment with Sainsbury’s Sophie in order to bring the magic of Christmas to everyone.”

This year’s advert was created by Sainsbury’s advertising agency New Commercial Arts and launches for the first time on Friday 1 November. The 104” advert will be supported by a series of 60”, 30” and 20” films, each leading with the line, ‘Hey Sainsbury’s’, and will see colleagues reassure customers that Sainsbury’s has something for everyone this Christmas.

To ensure a magical Christmas is had by all, Sainsbury's is working with its longtime charity partner, Comic Relief, to distribute over five million meals to families experiencing food poverty this Christmas. This forms part of Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief’s ongoing Nourish the Nation programme, and there will be a special version of this year’s advert highlighting this all-important work.

Credits

Brand: Sainsbury’s  

Radha Davies: Marketing Director, Brands, Planning & Creative

Emma Bisley: Head of Campaigns

Abbey Garood: Campaign Manager

Emma Young: Campaign Manager

Emma Clarke: Campaign Executive

Rachel Adderson: Food Campaign Executive

Jade Weddell-Johns: Campaign Executive

Daisy Exton: Digital Marketing Lead

Agency: NCA

 Creative:

Partner, CCO: Ian Heartfield

Creative Director: Dan Bailey

Creative Director: Brad Woolf

Account Handling & Planning:

Partner, CEO: James Murphy

Partner, CSO:  David Golding

Managing Partner: Louise Bodily

Strategy Partner: Matt Walters

Account Director: Ella Coleman & Abigail Johal

Senior Account Manager: Zahra Banday

Account Manager: Jeff Baker

Strategist: Helen Weavers & Rosanagh Ker

Creation, Design & Licensing:

Partner, CPO & Lead Producer: Matt Craigie Atherton

Creative Operations Director: Sylvie Edwards

Senior Producer: Lucie Georgeson

Print Production Lead: Cara Swindell

Project Director: Sarah Bruce

Business Affairs: Amanda Levett

Licence Negotiation: Issy Wedlake

Design & Artwork: King Henry Studios

Head of Design: Danny Tomkins

Designers: Jasmin Price & Christian Tunstall

Artworker: Lol Keen

Project Managers: Cameron Henry & Yaz Mailoud

Social Creative: Ogilvy UK

Social & BTS Content Editor: Tom Lockwood

Social Producer: Richard Ross & Russell Taylor

Licensing of BFG: Born Licensing

Director: David Born

Senior Licensing Executive: Amber Cheung

Licensing Executive: Alberto Massaro

RDSC:

Natalie Hopkins, Director of Global Product and Partnerships

Alice O’Brien, Head of Global Commercial Partnerships

Lucy Appleby, Head of Brand

Production:

Production Co: Rogue Films

Director: Sam Brown

Producer: Polly Ruskin

Production Manager: Fran Resteghini

Exec Producer: Kate Taylor

DoP: Franz Lustig

Production Designer: Drogo Michie

Casting: Hammond Cox

Post Production:

Editing Company: Final Cut

Editor: Amanda James      

Producer: Nikki Porter                                       

Post Production: Electric Theatre Collective

Colour : Luke Morrison

Creative Directors : Michael Chapman & Simon French

VFX Supervisor: Simon French

2D Supervisor:  Iain Murray

CG Supervisor: Patrick Krafft

Animation Supervisor : Fabrice Fiteni

Executive Producer : Magda Krimitsou

Production Coordinator : Emily Coyne

Audio:

Music Production: Manderley Music

Composer: Alex Baranowski

Producer: Sean Craigie-Atherton

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios

Conductor: Andy Brown

Engineer and Mixer: Fiona Cruikshank

Orchestra: London Metropolitan Orchestra

Audio Post Production: King Lear Sound

Sound Designer: Jack Sedgwick

Audio Producer: Nat Curran