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Original poster

John Lewis Xmas Advert

59 replies

BeforetheFlood · 14/09/2022 14:04

In all the upheaval surrounding the Queen's death I'm sparing a thought for the JL advertising execs who were probably just putting the finishing touches on this year's Christmas advert, and now have to go back to the drawing board and put together something paying homage to the Queen.

So - what do you think? A montage showing families through the decades sitting down to watch the Queen's speech, with a wholesome message about change being inevitable but JL being by our side throughout? Cut to pic of King Charles at the end, and the whole thing set to a wistful acoustic version of Who Wants to Live Forever, and discreet product placement of Paddington bear toys? Place your predictions here!

OP posts:
FayeGovan · 14/09/2022 14:07

I think they should save the budget and pay the staff better, my friend works there for less than £10 an hour and she said the free food they are getting from October is bloody awful anyway

christmas2022 · 14/09/2022 14:08

FayeGovan · 14/09/2022 14:07

I think they should save the budget and pay the staff better, my friend works there for less than £10 an hour and she said the free food they are getting from October is bloody awful anyway

What's the budget?

What's the return on investment in terms of people shopping at JL as a result of the advertisement and therefore keeping the shops open and people in jobs?

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2022 14:09

I think if they've already finished it they'll stick with it TBH.

Original poster
BeforetheFlood · 14/09/2022 14:13

Sparklingbrook · 14/09/2022 14:09

I think if they've already finished it they'll stick with it TBH.

It'll be interesting to see. I wonder if they will have had something in the can for years in preparation for this eventuality. I've been surprised at how much content the BBC seems to be putting out that must have been filmed ages ago to be shown when London Bridge came down.

OP posts:
Angelicapickles1 · 14/09/2022 14:18

I saw this week their new advert which is of similar vibes to the idea by the PP. Following the dad through the life of the child to her first day at school. 'Always by your side' so can't see them repeating the same message

Angelicapickles1 · 14/09/2022 14:19

Here it is

APJ1 · 14/09/2022 14:26

Cut to pic of King Charles at the end, and the whole thing set to a wistful acoustic version of Who Wants to Live Forever

I very much doubt they'd feature the King but you could well be right about the song! There was a prediction on here ( I think) that the 2020 John Lewis Christmas advert would feature 'a breathy cover of Together in Electric Dreams'. Lo and behold, the 2021 advert delivered!

Gingerkittykat · 14/09/2022 14:26

Why do they need an advert paying homage to the Queen? People are sick of the coverage so far and having an advert with more Queen stuff is just going to irritate people.

Mind you, brining out Carol the Corgi as their Christmas toy could be a real moneyspinner.

Yutes · 14/09/2022 14:28

Pish

Original poster
BeforetheFlood · 14/09/2022 14:36

I think they actually go out of their way to reinforce the same message, of being a constant in a changing world.

I reckon there must be quite a big crossover of staunch monarchists and loyal JL customers, but that's just a hunch. Carol the corgi is an inspired idea! Let's see if it also gets mysteriously picked up from the MN marketing gurus...

OP posts:
Eggza · 14/09/2022 14:43

I'd rather they spent the money on somehow improving their awful customer service (bah humbug!) but their Christmas adverts just never float my boat, much prefer the cheap and cheerful ones.

FayeGovan · 14/09/2022 15:18

Surely they wouldn't bring out a corgi, thats taking the piss

Drivebye · 14/09/2022 15:22

I must be a miserable old cow because that advert has annoyed me. Given it's mostly mums that do most if the work with children they should have shown a Mum but no, let's no let's have men centre stage as usual.

KitBumbleB · 14/09/2022 15:23

Disappointed if its not this

John Lewis Xmas Advert
Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 14/09/2022 15:31

Drivebye · 14/09/2022 15:22

I must be a miserable old cow because that advert has annoyed me. Given it's mostly mums that do most if the work with children they should have shown a Mum but no, let's no let's have men centre stage as usual.

This!

rumred · 14/09/2022 15:33

@KitBumbleB brilliant, thanks.

Mawkish shite those adverts. Shameless heart and purse string pulling

Leonarar · 14/09/2022 15:35

It would be almost impossible to do a brand new advert from scratch now we’re in mid September.

Original poster
BeforetheFlood · 14/09/2022 15:35

Drivebye · 14/09/2022 15:22

I must be a miserable old cow because that advert has annoyed me. Given it's mostly mums that do most if the work with children they should have shown a Mum but no, let's no let's have men centre stage as usual.

I'm glad it's not just me. I had to watch it twice because the first time I thought the mum had died and he was a single dad, but no. The mum is a faceless pregnant belly and a blurred head on the pillow in the background, sleeping on as the dad wakes up to the baby.

Yeah, right.

(oh - I think she's also providing waitress service as the dad takes centre stage at the birthday party.)

Come to think of it, JL have a bit of a history of irritating their core customer base, don't they? Brainless Brave move in these belt-tightening times.

OP posts:
Frangipani0 · 14/09/2022 15:42

FayeGovan · 14/09/2022 14:07

I think they should save the budget and pay the staff better, my friend works there for less than £10 an hour and she said the free food they are getting from October is bloody awful anyway

Agreed.

crumbsandcrikey · 14/09/2022 15:49

Gingerkittykat · 14/09/2022 14:26

Why do they need an advert paying homage to the Queen? People are sick of the coverage so far and having an advert with more Queen stuff is just going to irritate people.

Mind you, brining out Carol the Corgi as their Christmas toy could be a real moneyspinner.

Think JL demographic might disagree with you.

crumbsandcrikey · 14/09/2022 15:50

Not about the corgi though!

gwenneh · 14/09/2022 15:51

The agencies have had plans for the ads in the year of the Queen's death storyboarded & ready for ages. They're evergreen outlines which can be filled in with details and tweaked to hit trend.

So yes, I expect that the planned 2022 ads will be shelved or repurposed, and the contingency plan ads are underway.

Surtsey · 14/09/2022 16:05

There really isn't anything at all I would buy from John Lewis, and I certainly don't buy my occasional lunchtime sandwich from Waitrose any more. Not since they doubled the price in the space of 6 months.

Kissingfrogs25 · 14/09/2022 16:07

I found the new JL very very triggering. I am not sure it is going to be the runaway success - it is very risky advert and not in a good way.

Too many adults and children have been abandoned/neglected/abused and hurt by their fathers for this advert to reach as many viewers are expect. I had to turn it off and won't be watching it ever again.

Of course it will appeal to middle aged/youngish white men and perhaps even older men which all John Lewis seem to care about these days. All under the same illusion that they were great Dads. Maybe a few actually are great Dads, in which case they won't need this advert to reinforce their devotion.

I find it sickly, full of stereo types and I was offended by the face less pregnant woman. Thats you and me folks - happy Christmas invisible vagina havers!

Yay - great way to improve their plummeting profits! Go John Lewis!

Kissingfrogs25 · 14/09/2022 16:08

**many viewers as expected