John Lewis welcomes an Unexpected Guest for Christmas
This year's entry into the John Lewis Christmas canon has been released and in it we are introduced to temporarily stranded space traveller, Skye.
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View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company SMUGGLER/London
- Director Mark Molloy
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Credits
View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company SMUGGLER/London
- Director Mark Molloy
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Production Manager Marketa Husecka
- DP Greig Fraser
- Production Designer Nathan Parker
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Credits
powered by- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company SMUGGLER/London
- Director Mark Molloy
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Production Manager Marketa Husecka
- DP Greig Fraser
- Production Designer Nathan Parker
After last year's snack box of animated styles about the benefit of 'paying it forward', this year's John Lewis commercial is on more familiar territory, with a young person befriending a charming but unusual arrival [Monty the Penguin; Moz the Monster; Excitable Edgar].
As ever, the spot is created by adam&eveDDB London and, this year, is directed by SMUGGLER's Mark Molloy who creates sumptuous Christmas scenes and a sweetly naive, out-of-this-world character who, intentionally or otherwise, gives a nod to 1980 children's film, The Boy From Space.
Called Unexpected Guest, the two-minute spot follows the story of 14-year-old Nathan who, on his way home from school, spots a flashing light in the distance and chases it to the woods beside his home. When he finds the source of the light he then encounters Skye, a space traveller from another galaxy, and her crashed ship. The pair strike up a friendship which grows as Nathan introduces Skye to novelty jumpers, Christmas films, mince pie-eating etiquette and snowball fights. But, soon, the time comes when Skye has fixed her ship and must return to her home planet, meaning the pair are to be separated.
As you would expect, Unexpected Guest is a beautifully made film that dials up the emotion, though leaves us with a bittersweet ending as Nathan has to say goodbye to his newfound friend.
The all-important accompanying soundtrack to the spot is a cover of Phil Oakey and Giorgio Moroder's 1984 track, Together in Electric Dreams, sung by 20-year-old singer-songwriter Lola Young. "“I feel super-honoured to be a part of this, growing up I always watched the John Lewis Christmas adverts, they’re iconic and so it kinda feels surreal getting asked to be in one," said Young. "It also means a lot as an up and coming artist to be a part of something this special.”
How does Unexpected Guest fit in the pantheon of previous seasonal offerings? Here's a look back over John Lewis' previous Christmas gifts to us.
2020 - Give a Little Love
What we said:
"After promising 'a Christmas campaign like no other', after what can only be described as an eventful year, the John Lewis Partnership and adamandeveDDB delivered a festive selection-pack of filmic treats, cramming eight different animation and live-action techniques into its two-minute timeframe.
Framed with a delightful 'pay it forward' message of kindness, Give A Little Love shows how small gestures can mean big things to the people who receive them, and speaks to both the sentiment of the season as well as reflecting on the year's demonstration of community spirit."
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View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Pulse Films/London
- Director Oscar Hudson
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View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Pulse Films/London
- Director Oscar Hudson
- Edit House Trim
- Post Production Untold Studios
- Grade Time Based Arts
- Music Supervisor Leland Music
- Sound House Factory
- Executive Producer James Sorton
- Producer Neil Andrews
- Production Manager Ben Burdock
- DP Daniel Landin
- Production Designer Luke Moran-Morris
- Editor Paul Hardcastle
- Editor Elise Butt
- Offline Edit Producer Polly Kemp
- Animator Anete Melece
- Animator Sylvain Chomet
- Animator Anthony Farquhar Smith
- Animator Chris Hopewell
- Animator Anna Mantzaris
- Animator MegaComputeur
- Animator Shotopop
- Executive Producer Ian Berry / (Executive Producer)
- Post Executive Creative Director Neil Davies
- VFX Supervisor Bruno Fukumothi
- Grade Producer Sean Ewins
- Colorist Simone Grattarola
- Audio Producer Deborah Whitfield
- Music Producer Jamie Hartman
- Sound Design & Mix Anthony Moore
- Sound Design & Mix Jack Hallett
- Audio Producer Deborah Whitfield
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Creative Feargal Ballance
- Creative Selma Ahmed
- Creative Director Matt Gay
- Creative Director Feargal Ballance
- Joint Chief Executive Officer Tammy Einav
- Producer Sally Pritchett
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Credits
powered by- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Pulse Films/London
- Director Oscar Hudson
- Edit House Trim
- Post Production Untold Studios
- Grade Time Based Arts
- Music Supervisor Leland Music
- Sound House Factory
- Executive Producer James Sorton
- Producer Neil Andrews
- Production Manager Ben Burdock
- DP Daniel Landin
- Production Designer Luke Moran-Morris
- Editor Paul Hardcastle
- Editor Elise Butt
- Offline Edit Producer Polly Kemp
- Animator Anete Melece
- Animator Sylvain Chomet
- Animator Anthony Farquhar Smith
- Animator Chris Hopewell
- Animator Anna Mantzaris
- Animator MegaComputeur
- Animator Shotopop
- Executive Producer Ian Berry / (Executive Producer)
- Post Executive Creative Director Neil Davies
- VFX Supervisor Bruno Fukumothi
- Grade Producer Sean Ewins
- Colorist Simone Grattarola
- Audio Producer Deborah Whitfield
- Music Producer Jamie Hartman
- Sound Design & Mix Anthony Moore
- Sound Design & Mix Jack Hallett
- Audio Producer Deborah Whitfield
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Creative Feargal Ballance
- Creative Selma Ahmed
- Creative Director Matt Gay
- Creative Director Feargal Ballance
- Joint Chief Executive Officer Tammy Einav
- Producer Sally Pritchett
2019 - Excitable Edgar
What we said:
"Telling the tale of a cutely combustible mini-dragon and his flame-haired gal-pal, Excitable Edgar is a heart (and set)-warming story of a little fella who just can't fight the flames burning inside of him.
"Blink director Dougal Wilson, returning to the brand's festive outings for the first time since 2016's Buster the Boxer, paints a wonderfully realised picture of 'ye olde' snowy village, with production design and effects (in particular the Hollywood-level visuals and character animation of Edgar) unsurpassed."
Credits
View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
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View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Editor Final Cut/London
- Post Production Untold Studios
- Music Supervisor Leland Music
- Sound Designer Factory
- DP Joost Van Gelder
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Production Manager Ellie Britton
- Production Designer Andy Kelly
- Editor Joe Guest
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- VFX Supervisor Alex Gabucci
- VFX Supervisor Amir Bazazi
- Executive Producer VFX Ian Berry
- Creative Director VFX Diarmid Harrison-Murray
- Animation Supervisor Tim van Hussen
- Sound Designer Anthony Moore
- Art Director Matt Gay
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Chief Executive Officer Tammy Einav
- Creative Simon Lloyd
- Managing Director Paul Billingsley
- Producer Sally Pritchett
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Credits
powered by- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Editor Final Cut/London
- Post Production Untold Studios
- Music Supervisor Leland Music
- Sound Designer Factory
- DP Joost Van Gelder
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Production Manager Ellie Britton
- Production Designer Andy Kelly
- Editor Joe Guest
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- VFX Supervisor Alex Gabucci
- VFX Supervisor Amir Bazazi
- Executive Producer VFX Ian Berry
- Creative Director VFX Diarmid Harrison-Murray
- Animation Supervisor Tim van Hussen
- Sound Designer Anthony Moore
- Art Director Matt Gay
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Chief Executive Officer Tammy Einav
- Creative Simon Lloyd
- Managing Director Paul Billingsley
- Producer Sally Pritchett
2018 - The Boy and The Piano
What we said:
"Directed by Academy's Seb Edwards and created by adam&eveDDB, the spot is beautifully made and the story beautifully told, and though the expected gut-punch of emotion isn't quite as evident this year, if you're a fan of Elton John (and, come on, who isn't?) then it'll tick your boxes."
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View on- Agency Adam & Eve -DDB
- Production Company Academy
- Director Seb Edwards
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View on- Agency Adam & Eve -DDB
- Production Company Academy
- Director Seb Edwards
- Post Production MPC/London
- Producer Shirley O'Connor
- Production Manager Rachael Donson
- Executive Producer Simon Cooper
- DP Chayse Irvin
- Production Designer Robin Brown
- Editor Sam Rice-Edwards
- Creative Director/Founder Anthony Moore
- VFX Kamen Markov
- VFX Producer Philip Whalley
- CG Supervisor Anthony Bloor
- CG Team Anthony Bloor
- CG Team Jessie Amadio
- CG Team Tom Carrick
- CG Team Charles Downman
- CG Team David Bryan
- 2D Team Kamen Markov
- 2D Team Jack Stone
- 2D Team Kalle Kohlstrom
- 2D Team Bevis Jones
- 2D Team Anthony Bloor
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Executive Creative Director Mike Sutherland
- Executive Creative Director Antony Nelson
- Producer Sally Pritchett
- Talent Elton John
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Credits
powered by- Agency Adam & Eve -DDB
- Production Company Academy
- Director Seb Edwards
- Post Production MPC/London
- Producer Shirley O'Connor
- Production Manager Rachael Donson
- Executive Producer Simon Cooper
- DP Chayse Irvin
- Production Designer Robin Brown
- Editor Sam Rice-Edwards
- Creative Director/Founder Anthony Moore
- VFX Kamen Markov
- VFX Producer Philip Whalley
- CG Supervisor Anthony Bloor
- CG Team Anthony Bloor
- CG Team Jessie Amadio
- CG Team Tom Carrick
- CG Team Charles Downman
- CG Team David Bryan
- 2D Team Kamen Markov
- 2D Team Jack Stone
- 2D Team Kalle Kohlstrom
- 2D Team Bevis Jones
- 2D Team Anthony Bloor
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Executive Creative Director Mike Sutherland
- Executive Creative Director Antony Nelson
- Producer Sally Pritchett
- Talent Elton John
2017 - Moz The Monster
What we said:
"Called Moz the Monster, John Lewis's 2017 festive spot lives up to expectation, applying its tried-and-tested winning formula of animals (sort of) and children to this year's offering. Featuring Elbow's rendition of the Beatles song, Golden Slumbers, as the soundtrack, adam&eveDDB again prove that they're the masters of making Christmas magical."
Credits
View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Partizan/UK
- Director Michel Gondry
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Credits
View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Partizan/UK
- Director Michel Gondry
- Producer Russell Taylor
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Broadcast Director Caroline Grayson
- Assistant Producer Raluca Anastasiu
- Art Director Feargal Ballance
- Copywriter Patrick McClelland
- Modelling Millennium FX
- Editor Russell Icke
- Visual Effects The Mill/London
- Creative Director/Founder Anthony Moore
- Exec Producer Jenny Beckett
- Producer David Stewart / (Producer)
- Prod. Manager Richard Wilson
- Prod. Assistant Theo Cassels
- DP Tim Maurice-Jones
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Credits
powered by- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Partizan/UK
- Director Michel Gondry
- Producer Russell Taylor
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Chief Creative Officer Richard Brim
- Broadcast Director Caroline Grayson
- Assistant Producer Raluca Anastasiu
- Art Director Feargal Ballance
- Copywriter Patrick McClelland
- Modelling Millennium FX
- Editor Russell Icke
- Visual Effects The Mill/London
- Creative Director/Founder Anthony Moore
- Exec Producer Jenny Beckett
- Producer David Stewart / (Producer)
- Prod. Manager Richard Wilson
- Prod. Assistant Theo Cassels
- DP Tim Maurice-Jones
2016 - Buster the Boxer
What we said:
"John Lewis's 2016 offering has an amalgam of previous years' ingredients with animals, children, confused parents and, of course, a beautifully arranged and emotional soundtrack, all put together perfectly by adam&eveDDB, who are experts in the Christmas field."
Credits
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- Production Company Blink Productions
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Credits
View on- Production Company Blink Productions
- Post Production MPC London
- Editing Company Final Cut
- Sound Design Factory
- Editor Rick Russell
- Director of Photography Joost van Gelder
- Art Director Colin Booth
- Copywriter Ben Stilitz
- Executive Creative Director Richard Brim
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Production Manager Hannah Fowles-Pazdro
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Nick Goldsmith
- Post Producer Hannah Ruddleston
- Colourist Jean-Clement Soret
- Sound Designer Anthony Moore
- Creative Director VFX
- Creative Director VFX Diarmid Harrison-Murray
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Credits
powered by- Production Company Blink Productions
- Post Production MPC London
- Editing Company Final Cut
- Sound Design Factory
- Editor Rick Russell
- Director of Photography Joost van Gelder
- Art Director Colin Booth
- Copywriter Ben Stilitz
- Executive Creative Director Richard Brim
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Production Manager Hannah Fowles-Pazdro
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Nick Goldsmith
- Post Producer Hannah Ruddleston
- Colourist Jean-Clement Soret
- Sound Designer Anthony Moore
- Creative Director VFX
- Creative Director VFX Diarmid Harrison-Murray
2015 - Man on the Moon
What we said:
"Created, as ever, through adam&eveDDB London and beautifully shot by Somesuch's Kim Gehrig, the spot features a little girl who spots a rather sad-looking old man living in a shed on the moon. Suffice it to say it's another emotional hit from a brand and an agency that have mastered such things and, as hard as you try, and as much as you prepare yourself, there's the usual lump-in-the-throat moment as you get to the end. Damn you, John Lewis!"
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- Production Company Somesuch
- Director Kim Gehrig
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View on- Production Company Somesuch
- Director Kim Gehrig
- Sound Design Factory
- Music Leland Music
- Editing Company Trim Editing
- Post Production The Mill London
- Editor Tom Lindsay
- Director of Photography Andre Chemetoff
- Agency Producer Lucie Georgeson
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Executive Producer Tim Nash
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Director Kim Gehrig
- Producer Lee Groombridge
- Creative Director Richard Brim
- VFX Supervisor Hitesh Patel
- Colourist James Bamford
- Track
- Music artist
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Credits
powered by- Production Company Somesuch
- Director Kim Gehrig
- Sound Design Factory
- Music Leland Music
- Editing Company Trim Editing
- Post Production The Mill London
- Editor Tom Lindsay
- Director of Photography Andre Chemetoff
- Agency Producer Lucie Georgeson
- Executive Creative Director Ben Tollett
- Executive Producer Tim Nash
- Chief Creative Officer Ben Priest
- Director Kim Gehrig
- Producer Lee Groombridge
- Creative Director Richard Brim
- VFX Supervisor Hitesh Patel
- Colourist James Bamford
- Track
- Music artist
2014 - Monty's Christmas
What we said:
"Tom Odell provides this year's dose of emotional soundtrack and Christmas number one contender, covering John Lennon's Real Love. The two-minute spot follows the the friendship of Sam and Monty over the course of a year before Sam realises Monty is sad and longing for some penguin-shaped company."
Credits
View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
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Credits
View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Exec CD Emer Stamp
- Exec CD Ben Tollett
- Art Director Richard Brim
- Copywriter Daniel Fisher / UK
- Art Director Andy Kelly
- Exec CD Ben Priest
- Editor Joe Guest
- Exec Producer James Studholme
- DP Joost Van Gelder
- Sound Design Anthony Moore
- Post MPC/London
- Music Leland Music
- Award Body APA Advertising Producers Association
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Song "Real Love" Tom Odell
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Credits
powered by- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Exec CD Emer Stamp
- Exec CD Ben Tollett
- Art Director Richard Brim
- Copywriter Daniel Fisher / UK
- Art Director Andy Kelly
- Exec CD Ben Priest
- Editor Joe Guest
- Exec Producer James Studholme
- DP Joost Van Gelder
- Sound Design Anthony Moore
- Post MPC/London
- Music Leland Music
- Award Body APA Advertising Producers Association
- Producer Ewen Brown
- Song "Real Love" Tom Odell
2013 - The Bear & the Hare
What we said:
"With the air of a classic Disney tale, a bear's eyes are opened to the gift-giving and merriment of Christmas as he gives hibernation a miss this year thanks to his loving hare companion. Complete with music from Lily Allen (covering Keane's Somewhere Only We Know) and once again created by agency adam&eveDDB, the commercial uses a unique animation style that combines traditional 2D hand-drawn animation, stop frame, and 3D model made sets and is directed by Blinkink's Elliot Dear and Yves Geleyn with additional production from Hornet New York."
Credits
View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Hornet
- Director Elliot Dear
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View on- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Hornet
- Director Elliot Dear
- Producer Anthony Falco
- Asst Producer Catherine Cullen
- Account Manager Caroline Grayson
- ECD/Art Director Ben Priest
- CD Aidan McClure
- CD Laurent Simon
- Animation Supervisor Aaron Blaise
- Editor Ellie Johnson
- Sound Design Sam Robson
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- Exec Producer Bart Yates
- Exec Producer James Stevenson Bretton
- Exec Producer Josephine Gallagher
- Line Producer Kev Harwood
- Prod Manager Benjamin Lole
- Director Yves Geleyn
- Character Designer Aaron Blaise
- Editor Sam Sneade
- Animation Supervisor Dominic Carola
- Exec Producer Michael Feder
- Production Company Hornet
- Post BLINKINK
- Lead Stop Frame Anim Andy Biddle
- DP Toby Howell
- Prod Design John Lee / UK (Production Designer)
- Managing Partner Tammy Einay
- Song "Somewhere Only We Know" Lily Allen
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Credits
powered by- Agency Adam & Eve NY
- Production Company Hornet
- Director Elliot Dear
- Producer Anthony Falco
- Asst Producer Catherine Cullen
- Account Manager Caroline Grayson
- ECD/Art Director Ben Priest
- CD Aidan McClure
- CD Laurent Simon
- Animation Supervisor Aaron Blaise
- Editor Ellie Johnson
- Sound Design Sam Robson
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- Exec Producer Bart Yates
- Exec Producer James Stevenson Bretton
- Exec Producer Josephine Gallagher
- Line Producer Kev Harwood
- Prod Manager Benjamin Lole
- Director Yves Geleyn
- Character Designer Aaron Blaise
- Editor Sam Sneade
- Animation Supervisor Dominic Carola
- Exec Producer Michael Feder
- Production Company Hornet
- Post BLINKINK
- Lead Stop Frame Anim Andy Biddle
- DP Toby Howell
- Prod Design John Lee / UK (Production Designer)
- Managing Partner Tammy Einay
- Song "Somewhere Only We Know" Lily Allen
2012 - The Journey
What we said:
"Blink's Dougal Wilson takes us on a magical journey for gifts. adam&eveDDB create the scene in a snow-covered garden before a snowman comes to life and departs for the high street rush. Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Power of Love is the music of choice, covered by Gabrielle Aplin, a 20-year-old singer signed to Parlophone Records and has a debut album scheduled for release in 2013."
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- Production Company Blink Productions
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View on- Production Company Blink Productions
- Post Production MPC London
- Editing Company Final Cut
- Editor Joe Guest
- Director of Photography Eduard Grau
- Art Director Andy Kelly
- Agency Producer Lucie Georgeson
- Executive Producer James Bland
- Creative Shay Reading
- Creative Frank Ginger
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Ben Link
- Creative Director Ben Priest
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Credits
powered by- Production Company Blink Productions
- Post Production MPC London
- Editing Company Final Cut
- Editor Joe Guest
- Director of Photography Eduard Grau
- Art Director Andy Kelly
- Agency Producer Lucie Georgeson
- Executive Producer James Bland
- Creative Shay Reading
- Creative Frank Ginger
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Ben Link
- Creative Director Ben Priest
2011 - The Long Wait
What we said:
"A young boy counts down the hours 'til Christmas morning in Dougal Wilson's commercial for the UK retailer. Bringing the story to life in his unique style, the director turns his charm to a rework of Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths, rerecorded by emerging artist Slow Moving Millie."
Credits
View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
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Credits
View on- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Matt Craigie Atherton
- CD Ben Priest
- CD Ben Tollett
- CD Emer Stamp
- Creatives Matt Gay
- Producer Ben Link
- Editor Joe Guest
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- VFX Adam Crocker
- VFX Stirling Archibald
- VFX Adam Leary
- Talent Lewis McGowan
- DP Lasse Frank
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Credits
powered by- Agency adam&eveDDB/London
- Production Company Blink Productions
- Director Dougal Wilson
- Producer Matt Craigie Atherton
- CD Ben Priest
- CD Ben Tollett
- CD Emer Stamp
- Creatives Matt Gay
- Producer Ben Link
- Editor Joe Guest
- Colorist Jean-Clement Soret
- VFX Adam Crocker
- VFX Stirling Archibald
- VFX Adam Leary
- Talent Lewis McGowan
- DP Lasse Frank