Barbour launches Christmas ad with focus on repair and sustainability

Heritage British outerwear brand Barbour has launched its new “Father Christmas to the Rescue” animated film ad campaign – set to run through its own social channels – with a focus on the brand’s South Shields jacket repair service.

For the second year running, Barbour’s Christmas ad is inspired by the popular children’s books written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs, and the iconic 1991 animated special Father Christmas.

With sustainability at the heart of the ad, the story is based on a true story from a Barbour customer in need of a jacket repair.

The film follows a young boy whose dog has chewed his father’s beloved Barbour wax jacket. The boy writes to Father Christmas to say that he doesn’t want a present this year, but he’d like his help to repair his father’s jacket in time for Christmas instead.

Father Christmas realises he can’t mend the jacket himself but has the bright idea of taking it to the Barbour factory in South Shields, where he gets service with a smile and, not only a repaired jacket, but a rewaxed one to make it look as good as new.

Roll forward the excited lad on Christmas Day – following Santa’s usual overnight delivery - making his dad’s Christmas a special one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJF6zKppw8&feature=youtu.be

The film is based on the true story of "Dudley the dachshund", who chewed his owner’s much adored Barbour jacket. His owner sent it back to Barbour, with a note from Dudley to say he was “sorry”.

For almost a hundred years, Barbour has been rewaxing and repairing jackets in its South Shields HQ - giving a new lease of life to old favourites. Many Barbour wax jackets are handed down through generations of a family, which also forms part of the “this will be yours one day” angle of the story, making them a very sustainable choice.

Paul Wilkinson, Global Marketing and Commercial Director, Barbour said: “This is a very special Christmas campaign for us as it’s based on a true story from one of our customers. The film highlights how much our Barbour jackets are loved and become an important part of the family.

“Barbour wax jackets are made to last so, they’re very sustainable, and if you rewax your jacket at least once a year, it could last you a lifetime - even if a naughty dachshund does decide to get his teeth into it!”

Award winning 2D animation studio, Illuminated Films, produced the animation for the film using computer assisted animation, compositing and special effects software.