Colchester Zoo recently gave a sneak peek at their upcoming Christmas advert, which is the second one they have ever produced. The zoo collaborated with Deadline Communications, a production company based in Essex, to create this festive commercial.
The advert, titled ‘A Mammoth Adventure’, is a two-minute long story that follows a young boy named Cole. Cole is passionate about animals and the natural world, including those that have unfortunately become extinct. After visiting Colchester Zoo, he becomes inspired by the different species he learns about and dreams of a woolly mammoth named Wilbur, who plays a key role in saving Christmas.
Amanda Willis, a member of Colchester Zoo’s digital design and marketing team, expressed her excitement for the release of the second Christmas advert. The goal of this advert is to inspire future generations to think about animal conservation, the importance of preventing extinction, and to fuel their passion for knowledge and adventure at the zoo.
The advert features a combination of real-life elements filmed at the zoo and a short animation that brings the Christmas toy, Wilbur, to life. Colchester Zoo’s management team has been working diligently throughout 2024 to transition the privately-owned zoo into a conservation charity known as Colchester Zoological Society. This transition aims to support animals at the zoo, native species, and endangered species worldwide.
The Christmas advert will be part of an online marketing campaign that will launch on the zoo’s social media platforms and website. It will also be displayed on digital screens around the park. Additionally, the advert includes a brand-new Christmas song called ‘Closer to You’, which was written and performed by Josie Beth. She mentioned that this project was completed in record time, with the song being written and mastered within a month.
The song ‘Closer to You’ will be available for download on major music platforms on November 4, a day before the advert’s official release on November 5. The collaboration between Colchester Zoo and Deadline Communications promises an enchanting and heartwarming Christmas advert that aims to spread a message of conservation and inspire audiences of all ages.