Marks & Spencer launches its new Christmas advertising campaign on Wednesday 7 November 2007, with a stunning, ‘glorious Technicolor’ new TV ad starring Hollywood leading man, Antonio Banderas alongside the stellar cast of the retailer’s established leading ladies – Twiggy, Erin O’Connor, Laura Bailey, Noemie Lenoir and Lizzy Jagger.
Taking the silver screen days of Hollywood as inspiration, the ad is entitled Christmas Belles and is an affectionate homage to the movie trailers of the 40s. It shows the five women as alleged rivals for the attention of one man - introduced only as ‘Him’ - whose identity remains secret until the last scene. Each of the five female leads has been styled to look uncannily like iconic screen heroines of the era.
Steven Sharp, Executive Director, Marketing for Marks & Spencer said: “We have based the Christmas advertising on glamorous 1940’s Hollywood films; these films were all about the girls, the garments and the glamour, and are a perfect way to showcase our brilliant Christmas ranges.”
Antonio Banderas said: “It was a real honour for me to star in the M&S Christmas commercial - I know how popular the ads and the company are in the UK - even
though it's a pretty tall order to follow Shirley Bassey! I had a great time on set. There was a really good buzz about it and you can see how well everyone gets on.”
The soundtrack for the film is the classic Andy Williams song, entitled, ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’. The song is being re-released for the festive season by Sony BMG , re-orchestrated by Steve Sidwell for Jeff Wayne Music, and will be branded ‘in association with M&S’.
The TV ad will launch at 7.45 p.m on Wednesday 7 November and run until 12 December. It will also be supported by in-store activity.
ENDS
For further information, stills or copy of the advertisement please contact:
Tania Littlehales, 020 8718 2098/07785 395199/
tania.littlehales@marks-and-spencer.com
M&S Product Press Office on 020 8718 4313
For background information, please go to the Media Centre on our website.
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