Disney’s 2021 Christmas advertisement has been launched. It tells the heartwarming tale of a stepfather who navigates his first festive season together with his partner and their children.
A sequel to the company’s 2020 short film ‘Lola’, ‘The Stepdad’ sees viewers being introduced to a grown-up Nicole, the granddaughter from last year’s touching ad, and her two children Max and Ella, as new step-father Mike moves into their family home.
Taking centre stage in the production is a precious storybook filled with Disney and Pixar characters which belongs to Max from his birth father – and Mike is eventually able to ‘lift’ the magic of the tales from the pages as he’s accepted by the children.
The three-minute ad, released today by BBDO, includes Love Runs Deeper, an original charity track performed by Gregory Porter (two-time Grammy Award-winning American Jazz musician).
This year’s instalment forms part of the brand’s festive retail campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours’, in support of children’s charity Make-A-Wish.
Disney has released its 2021 Christmas advert. It tells the heartwarming story about a step-father who navigates his first festive season with his wife and her children (pictured).
A sequel to the company’s 2020 short film ‘Lola’, ‘The Stepdad’ sees viewers being introduced to a grown-up Nicole, the granddaughter from last year’s touching ad, and her two children Max and Ella, as new step-father Mike moves into their family home (pictured)
Taking centre stage in the production is a precious storybook (pictured) filled with Disney and Pixar characters which belongs to Max from his birth father – and Mike is eventually able to ‘lift’ the magic of the tales from the pages as he’s accepted by the children
The advertisement begins with Mike, an architect, moving out of his old flat with his dog and joining Nicole and their children at their home.
Viewers will see the family enjoying their evenings together and meeting Mike, before seeing the two children’s bedtime routine. In which the children sit with their mother as she reads from a special Disney book.
She tells her children the stories which include Minnie Mouse and Mickey ice skating. The 2D characters appear on the page and then’magically’ transform into animated characters.
Later, Mike begins to read the story of Moana and Ella to Ella. The character then moves across the page.
As they prepare for the holiday season, the four-member family builds a gingerbread house, only for Mike to accidentally destroy it.
The three-minute ad, released today by BBDO, includes Love Runs Deeper, an original charity song performed by Gregory Porter, a two-time Grammy Award-winning American musician.
This year’s instalment forms part of the brand’s festive retail campaign, ‘From Our Family To Yours’, in support of children’s charity Make-A-Wish
The advert opens by showing Mike (pictured center) moving out his tired flat with his dog and joining Nicole and her children at the home of Nicole.
The children run out of the kitchen in tears. Their step-father stays up all night to build a new, very well-built house.
Mike’s hard work is appreciated by the children with big hugs. Now, the stepfather’s voice brings the Disney stories to life.
Disney said: ‘The book celebrates how the power of storytelling can deepen family bonds, and the magic that reading together creates as stories from Disney and Pixar lift off from the pages igniting the family’s shared imagination and wonder.’
The campaign once again supports Disney’s long-standing partner, Make-A-Wish, helping the charity to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Since 1980, Disney helped Make-A-Wish grant 145,000 life-changing wishes worldwide.
Viewers can see the family enjoying evenings together, meeting Mike’s family and then witness the children’s bedtime routine in which they read from the special Disney book with their mother.
As she tells her kids the stories, which include a Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse ice skate, the 2D characters rise from the pages and’magically” become animated
Double Grammy Award winner Gregory Porter performed an emotive rendition of original track ‘Love Runs Deeper’ – penned for the advert, which provides a musical narrative to the film through the eyes of Mike in lieu of any dialogue.
Written by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD, the track also features Cheris , a member of Tomorrow’s Warriors, an organisation committed to increasing diversity and equality across the arts through jazz music.
‘Love Runs Deeper’ will be available for download from today. 100 percent of the profits from each download purchased before 31/12/2021 will be donated to Make-A-Wish International.
Disney will support Make-A-Wish International with more than $2m and their network of Affiliates worldwide.
Make-A-Wish is now closer to achieving its vision to grant every child a wish. This support includes financial donations, media values, and gifts-in-kind.
Later, Mike begins to read the story of Moana and Ella to Ella. The character then moves across the page.
As they prepare for the holiday season, the four-member family builds a gingerbread house. Mike accidentally destroyed it. Their stepfather stayed up all night to build a new, much better-built gingerbread house. The children ran out of the kitchen in tears.
Skating Minnie Mouse soft doll and journal inspired by the ad will be available for purchase exclusively at shopDisney.
Throughout the advert, eagle-eyed viewers will also be able to spot a number of hidden Disney and Make-A-Wish ‘Easter Eggs’, including two artworks created by children supported by the charity.
One of which comes from 13-year-old Dylan whose picture of a cheetah can be seen on the family’s fridge. Dylan’s wish to be an animator was fulfilled by Flux Animation Studios, who developed the advert creative.
Tasia Filippatos, SVP Disney EMEA said: ‘We’re delighted to once again support long term charity partner Make-A-Wish through our Holiday campaign.
Reading together can be magical. Our advertisement celebrates this age old tradition and the wonder and imagination that it inspires. We hope the story will resonate with anyone who has seen the magic “lift off the pages” of a book through the eyes of a child.’
Mike’s hardwork is rewarded with big hugs by the children. And now, finally, the stepfather’s voice can bring the Disney books to life. Pictured, Gregory Porter
International artist Gregory Porter, who performs ‘Love Runs Deeper’ said: ‘The lyrics of the track are so powerful, and underline that behind everything there is love.
‘When I read the first line of ‘Love Runs Deeper’, “When you open the door, I will be standing there”, I was truly moved by its emotion and storytelling. I knew I needed to be involved with this campaign and support Make-A-Wish.’
Luciano Manzo, President and CEO at Make-A-Wish International said: ‘We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Disney and are delighted to be a part of this year’s festive campaign.’
The advert was developed and produced by Disney EMEA’s in-house creative team, led by Angela Affinita, Director of Brand Marketing and Creative, in partnership with Flux Animation Studios in New Zealand.