30.11.2020
#EdgarsChristmas: A special Christmas advert in an exceptional year
For the third year in a row, Erste Group has crafted an exceptionally engaging and creative animated advert for the Christmas season. The Vienna-based banking group has released the #believeinyourself story #EdgarsChristmas through media channels in eleven markets in Central and Eastern Europe and to a global audience through social media. Erste Group has established itself as one of the most successful brands worldwide when it comes to making Christmas adverts, with its viral holiday ads having generated over 180 million views. Jung von Matt DONAU was once again creatively responsible for the production.
For the third year in a row, Erste Group has crafted an exceptionally engaging and creative animated advert for the Christmas season. The Vienna-based banking group has released the #believeinyourself story #EdgarsChristmas through media channels in eleven markets in Central and Eastern Europe and to a global audience through social media. Erste Group has established itself as one of the most successful brands worldwide when it comes to making Christmas adverts, with its viral holiday ads having generated over 180 million views. Jung von Matt DONAU was once again creatively responsible for the production.
You can watch the story of #EdgarsChristmas on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Corona provides a new context
The starting point for an emotional Christmas story was undoubtedly more challenging this year than ever before. The global Corona pandemic has left its mark on everything and everyone -- and the makers of #EdgarsChristmas also wanted their project to reflect this.
"Loneliness and isolation have been the defining themes of this pandemic year. Unfortunately, that is likely to remain true for most people also during the Christmas season, when we would usually get a chance to be close to our family and friends. We wanted to show what’s possible when people are there for each other and when they believe in themselves and others, especially in these times," says Martin Radjaby-Rasset, Head of Group Brand Management at Erste Group.
A proven team of creatives
You can watch the story of #EdgarsChristmas on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter
Corona provides a new context
The starting point for an emotional Christmas story was undoubtedly more challenging this year than ever before. The global Corona pandemic has left its mark on everything and everyone -- and the makers of #EdgarsChristmas also wanted their project to reflect this.
"Loneliness and isolation have been the defining themes of this pandemic year. Unfortunately, that is likely to remain true for most people also during the Christmas season, when we would usually get a chance to be close to our family and friends. We wanted to show what’s possible when people are there for each other and when they believe in themselves and others, especially in these times," says Martin Radjaby-Rasset, Head of Group Brand Management at Erste Group.
A proven team of creatives
Jung von Matt DONAU is once again responsible for the creative realization of Erste Group’s newest Christmas advert. Creative Director Michael Nagy: "After taking two excursions into the world of animated animals, this year we’re addressing a theme that’s important for Christmas every year, but all the more in these exceptional times – namely: being there for each other. That’s what drives Marie, the optimistic and lively caregiver who doesn’t want to accept that the ageing composer Edgar is increasingly withdrawing into himself as his hearing loss progresses. With the help of the other residents at the old age home, Marie manages to warm Edgar’s heart and ensure that he enjoys a very special Christmas celebration.”
A Christmas success story
Following in the footsteps of Henry the Hedgehog (2018) and Hanna Bumblebee (2019), #EdgarsChristmas is the third international Christmas advert that Erste Group has made together with Jung von Matt DONAU. The bar has been set very high for this year’s advert: the previous two Christmas films have been viewed more than 180 million times.
Credits:
Client: Erste Group Bank AG
Head of Group Brand Management: Martin Radjaby-Rasset
Group Brand Management: Daniel Ratzenböck, Juraj Flimel
Social Media: Klaus Lackner
Agency: Jung von Matt/DONAU
CD: Andreas Putz, Mike Nagy
Copywriter: Caspar Satek
Art Director: Mike Nagy, Caspar Satek
Beratung: Katharina Höller, Katharina Hinterkörner
Production: Passion Animation Studios (UK)
Directors: Kyra Buschor & Constantin Paeplow
Animation Director: Ferran Casas, Kyra Buschor & Constantin Paeplow
Executive Producer: Debbie Crosscup
Head of Production: Mike Turoff
Producer: Anna Cunnington
Production Assistant: Katie Harris
CG Coordinator: Sade Tah
Head of CG: Jason Nicholas
VFX Supervisor: Dave Walker
CG Supervisor: David Watson
Music: Mcasso Productions (UK)
Composer: Mike MacLennan for Mcasso
Sound Design: Tom Martin at Mcasso
Producer: Tom Martin at Mcasso
Assistant Producer: Emma Winton at Mcasso
Orchestra: Budapest Scoring Orchestra
Orchestral Mixer: Adam Miller at Air Studios
Additional Mixing: Richard Atkinson at Mcasso
Post Production: Unit Studios (UK)
Colourist: Denny Cooper
Producer: Joanna Papayianni
2D Artist: Richard Greenwood
Media Agency: Wavemaker, Sabine Binder-Wessely
Links zum Spot Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erstebank.sparkasse/posts/3748781858485426
YouTube: https://youtu.be/vTjtgualL9E
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErsteGroup/status/1332942371361701888?s=20