IKEA's latest advert features Gnomes who sabotage a couple who are trying to improve their garden. The commercial that is a music video features music by The Palace Of Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and The Heritage Singers doing a cover song of the Mötley Crüe song Time for Change.
The adverts, which launch on Saturday 13 April, look at a family trying to transform their garden with IKEA outdoor furniture, but they have some opposition to the change, from the ultimate embodiment of everything that’s tired and dreary about British gardens – the garden gnome. The gnomes will do anything possible to keep the garden the way that they like it – kitsch and dull. Every improvement the family makes, hanging colorful SOLVIN DEN solar-powered lights, erecting a KARLSÖ gazebo and introducing the ARHOLMA outdoor sofa, angers the gnomes, who do anything to stop the family.
The campaign, which features a 60 second TV ad and a 2 minute music video, uses the insight that although the UK are a house-proud nation who love their gardens, we simply aren’t making the most of them, whether big or small or come rain or shine. The campaign is intended to inspire people to give as much thought to how they furnish their outdoor space as they would any room inside of their house, showing off some of the most inspiring IKEA solutions along the way, whatever the weather.
Credits:
Client: Ikea
Creative Agency: Mother, London
Director: Mike Maguire
Production Co.: Biscuit Filmworks
Managing Director: Shawn Lacy
Executive Producer: Orlando Wood/ Colleen O’Donnell
Head of Production: Rachel Glaub
Producer: Gustav Geldenhuys
Production Designer: Alexis Ross
Editor: Ed C @ Final Cut
Post Production: The Mill
Audio post-production: 750mph
DoP: Ulla Pontikos
UPDATE: April 26, The Gnomes speak:
This has gone on long enough, IKEAS attempt to throw us out and replace us with affordable flat packed garden furniture is simply ridiculous. The time has come to fight back!
We, the garden gnomes of the United Kingdom are uniting as we fight to bring back our rightful place in the luscious green gardens up and down this beautiful country.
We have Billy, admit that we belong in gardens and he shall not be harmed. Your choice....