Cadbury revives nostalgia with 80’s icon Jason Donovan for new Darkmilk campaign

Cadbury has unveiled a nostalgic new campaign to celebrate all things ‘grown up’ for its latest product offering, Cadbury Darkmilk. 

To celebrate the launch, Cadbury has joined forces with 80s and 90s icons Jason Donovan and Kim Wilde to speak directly to those familiar with pop culture from both decades - and invite them to try out the new delicious bar. This distinct campaign gives a light-hearted tongue in cheek approach, speaking “solely to those” who remembers Jason’s mullet, and the wedding of the decade, or know all the words to Kim’s number one hit, Kids in America. All the while playfully nodding to those who don’t.

Cadbury Darkmilk is the new taste experience from the UK’s most loved chocolate maker and is the richest and creamiest bar Cadbury has ever made. The launch marks the first time in 20 years that Cadbury has developed a completely new type of chocolate. The spots were directed by Vince Squibb and produced by Academy.

The first burst of TV, created by VCCP, aired on 20 th April during The Durrell’s and Victoria, sees Jason and Kim explain how the new taste of Cadbury Darkmilk has been made especially for people who are ‘a bit grown up’ - with various nods to pop culture references of yester-year, only familar to those who were a part of these defining decades.

Throughout the last week of April, Dark Milk will have a presence in Coronation Street and Emmerdale on ITV1, First Dates and When I Grow Up on Channel 4. While the ad will also make an appearance during Neighbours on 5TV, on Friday 26th April.

Accompanying the TVC will be a series of short playful films for digital and social media channels, using ‘behind the scenes’ footage from the TV shoot. These clips show crew staff in their teens and 20s spectacularly failing to recognise Jason Donovan himself. In addition to this, there will be a heavy digital, social, PR and sampling of 5 million bars to support.

The launch of the new ‘grown up’ inspired Cadbury Darkmilk incorporates all of the delicious richness of dark chocolate with the smooth and creamy texture of milk chocolate. Made with 40% cocoa, the new bar is like no other with a unique taste that provides a hit of rich cocoa combined with a deliciously creamy texture.