Santa is a Geordie, apparently.
There was quite rightly a lot of buzz around this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad. The retailer’s annual festive commercial is always keenly anticipated, but after last year’s underwhelming ‘man on the moon’ effort, everyone was keen to see whether JL could follow it up with a return to form.
Much to everyone’s relief, 2016’s trampolining dog vintage was a universal success. In fact, the only issue that some festive scrooges had with the ad was the timing. Many feel that the beginning of November is far too early to be thinking about Crimbo – a full 7 weeks before Jesus’ purported birthday.
Iceland sought to factor that sentiment into their own campaign by waiting until December to launch the somewhat more low-key affair. That said, it has become a bit of a word-of-mouth success amongst viewers, mainly because of the surprising casting of their Santa Claus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAURvUoXQ8Y
They decided to plump for a Geordie Father Christmas – and doting wife – as the stars of their ad, and people seem to love his dulcet Tyneside tones and down-to-earth persona. Indeed various polls show the Newcastle accent to be the most trustworthy and popular in the country.
This lot certainly approve of Iceland’s Geordie Santa – even if he is wearing Sunderland red and white…
Love Geordie Santa on the #iceland advert 😂
— paul (@ptapom) December 8, 2016
We all knew really that Santa was a Geordie… Superb ad with our lovely Trevor Fox. https://t.co/hYuzJDFs9k
— Bev Stephenson (@northchocolates) December 6, 2016
Awww I just love the Iceland Geordie Santa advert ❤️🎅🏼
— Lauren 👸🏼💄🍹 (@laurenjgxx) December 9, 2016
I love the Geordie Santa on the Iceland advert 😭🎅🏻
— abbie O’Connor (@_ABBIECAMPBELL9) December 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/Cheshire_Ella/status/807359701507837956
Loving the #Geordie #Santa on the @IcelandFoods tv ad. #santaisageordie #champion #howay pic.twitter.com/TWJKD3huGs
— Laura Baxter-Blyth (@laura25_star) December 9, 2016
The Iceland ad made Santa a Geordie 😂😂😂 brilliant…
— The Eloquent Parrot 🦜 (@EloquentParrot) December 6, 2016
