Cadbury’s Gorilla commercial is one of the most iconic and memorable ads of the 21st century. Launched by the advertising agency Fallon London in 2007, the ad was created to promote Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. The ad features a gorilla playing the drums to Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” which quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
The ad was released at a time when Cadbury was facing a significant downturn in sales due to a salmonella scare. The company needed a way to reinvigorate its brand and appeal to consumers once again.
The “Gorilla” ad was a risky move, but it paid off in a big way. The ad quickly went viral, becoming one of the most talked-about ads of the year. Cadbury’s sales increased by 10% as a result, and the ad won numerous awards, including the Cannes Lions Grand Prix.
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Key Takeaways
- Cadbury’s Gorilla commercial is one of the most iconic and memorable ads of the 21st century.
- The ad was created to promote Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and was released at a time when the company was facing a significant downturn in sales due to a salmonella scare.
- The ad was a risky move, but it paid off in a big way, becoming a cultural phenomenon and increasing Cadbury’s sales by 10%.
Background
Cadbury’s “Gorilla” commercial, released in 2007, quickly became a cultural phenomenon and an instant classic in the world of advertising. The ad features a gorilla wearing headphones and playing the drums to the Phil Collins song “In the Air Tonight” while sitting in front of a drum kit. The camera zooms in on the gorilla’s face as he plays the iconic drum fill, and the tagline “A glass and a half full of joy” appears on the screen.
The Gorilla Ad
The “Gorilla” ad was part of a larger campaign by Cadbury to promote their Dairy Milk chocolate brand. The campaign was created by the advertising agency Fallon London, and the ad was directed by Juan Cabral. The ad was shot in a single take and featured a real gorilla, which was created using animatronics.
Creation and Reception
The creation of the “Gorilla” ad was not without its challenges. The ad was created in the wake of a salmonella scare that had led Cadbury to recall over a million chocolate bars the previous year. Despite this, the ad went on to increase sales by 10%.
The ad was well-received by both consumers and the advertising industry. It won numerous awards, including the Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, and was voted the UK’s favorite ad of 2007 in a poll conducted by ITV.
The success of the “Gorilla” ad can be attributed to its unique and memorable concept, its catchy soundtrack, and its ability to tap into consumers’ emotions and create a sense of joy and happiness. The ad has since become a cultural touchstone and has been parodied and referenced in numerous other ads and media.
The Ad
The Cadbury’s Gorilla commercial, created by advertising agency Fallon London in 2007, was a massive hit and went on to win multiple awards. The ad featured a gorilla playing the drums to the iconic song “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins.
Music and Drumming
The use of “In the Air Tonight” was a bold choice, as it was a departure from the usual jingle or pop song used in commercials. The slow build-up of the song, leading to the iconic drum solo, perfectly complemented the gorilla’s drumming and added to the overall impact of the ad. The drumming itself was performed by Garon Michael, who was chosen for his impressive skills and ability to match the gorilla’s movements.
The Gorilla Suit
The gorilla suit was an animatronic creation with a silicone face, designed and built by Juan Cabral and his team. The suit was remote-controlled, allowing for precise movements and expressions. The attention to detail in the suit was impressive, with the fur and facial features looking incredibly lifelike.
Animation and Effects
The animation and effects used in the ad were minimal but effective. The use of a black background and simple lighting allowed the gorilla and drum kit to stand out. The only other effect used was the addition of falling chocolate flakes towards the end of the ad, which tied in with the Cadbury branding.
Overall, the combination of the music, drumming, gorilla suit, and animation created a memorable and impactful ad that still resonates with audiences today.
Success and Impact
Sales and Popularity
The Cadbury’s Gorilla commercial, released in 2007, was an instant success. The advertisement featured a gorilla playing the drums to Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” and it quickly became a viral sensation. According to reports, the ad increased the sales of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate by 10% within the first three months of its release. The popularity of the ad was also reflected in its high ranking in several polls, including being voted the UK’s favorite TV ad in 2007 by You
Controversies
Salmonella Scare
The year before the release of the Cadbury Gorilla ad, in 2006, Cadbury Schweppes had to recall more than a million chocolate bars due to a salmonella scare. This incident had a significant impact on the company’s reputation and sales, and the Gorilla ad was released in the wake of this crisis. Some critics questioned the timing of the ad’s release, suggesting that it was an attempt to distract from the salmonella scandal.
Criticism
Despite its popularity, the Cadbury Gorilla ad was not without its share of criticism. Some critics argued that it was a waste of money and did not effectively promote the Cadbury Dairy Milk brand. Others felt that the ad was too bizarre and did not make sense. Some even accused the ad of being racist, as it featured a black gorilla playing the drums, which some viewers interpreted as a reference to African tribal culture.
Parodies
The Cadbury Gorilla ad was so popular that it spawned numerous parodies and imitations. Some of these parodies were created by fans, while others were made by competitors as a form of advertising. For example, the Snickers candy bar company released an ad featuring Mr. T playing the drums, which was clearly inspired by the Cadbury Gorilla ad. Some parodies were more successful than others, but they all helped to keep the Cadbury Gorilla ad in the public eye.
In conclusion, the Cadbury Gorilla ad was a highly successful and popular cinema and TV advert that helped to promote the Cadbury Dairy Milk brand. However, it was not without its share of controversy, including criticism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What made the Cadbury Gorilla commercial so successful?
The Cadbury’s Gorilla commercial was successful for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a highly creative and memorable ad that stood out from the usual chocolate commercials. The use of the gorilla playing the drums was unexpected and entertaining. Secondly, the ad was released at a time when Cadbury was recovering from a salmonella scare that had damaged the brand’s reputation. The ad helped to rebuild trust in the brand and improve sales.
What is the name of the song used in the Cadbury Gorilla ad?
The song used in the Cadbury Gorilla ad is called “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. The song was originally released in 1981 and became a hit. The use of the song in the ad helped to create a powerful emotional connection with viewers and added to the overall impact of the ad.
What is the meaning behind the Cadbury Gorilla ad?
The meaning behind the Cadbury Gorilla ad is open to interpretation. Some viewers have suggested that the ad is about the joy of indulging in chocolate, while others have interpreted it as a metaphor for the power of music to transport us to a different place. Whatever the interpretation, the ad was successful in creating a strong emotional response in viewers.
Who played the gorilla in the Cadbury ad?
The gorilla in the Cadbury ad was played by a professional drummer called Garon Michael. Michael was chosen for the role because of his drumming skills and his ability to convey emotion through his performance.
How effective was the Cadbury Gorilla advert?
The Cadbury Gorilla advert was highly effective in improving the brand’s reputation and driving sales. The ad won numerous awards and became a cultural phenomenon. It was so successful that it spawned a series of follow-up ads featuring different animals playing musical instruments.
What was the year of the Cadbury Gorilla ad release?
The Cadbury Gorilla ad was released in 2007. It was created by the advertising agency Fallon London on behalf of Cadbury Schweppes to promote the Cadbury Dairy Milk brand of chocolate.
