FCB Joburg has tweaked a concept originally conceived, approved and shot before lockdown for Debonairs Pizza. The agency’s response shows a mom and two daughters setting the dining room table in preparation for a family meal. In walks the dad in full braai regalia and pushing his kettle braai. They look at him quizzically – this was obviously not part of their luncheon plan – when he lifts the lid with a flourish to reveal the new Debonairs Double-Crammed Crust pizza.
FCB Joburg kept the execution of the new TVC extremely simple because only a 20 seconder and 10-second cut-down were required. It is being supported on social media with gifs, banners and posts. According to the agency’s Creative Director, Mbeu ‘Snooze’ Kambuwa – who worked on the TV commercial (TVC) with Copywriter Marvin Mpanda and Art Director Kabelo Mabaso – Debonairs Pizza’s Marketing Executive, Toni Joubert, had been ‘so sold’ on the idea of linking Debonairs’ meatiest pizza ever with a braai, she challenged the team to keep the concept but make it ‘lockdown compliant’.
‘Adapting to new circumstances or tweaking a concept is nothing new for most agencies,’ said Kambuwa, ‘but this was the first time – for us in South Africa, at least – that the reason for doing so was a virus. Conceived and shot before lockdown and its rules about social distancing, our original execution featured friends hosting a pool party braai – to which more and more guests kept inviting themselves because of the pizza. Of course, Debonairs Pizza wanted to promote responsible behaviour during lockdown, so we elected not to run with that version. Instead, Dad brought his braai inside. Who knows, once we’ve beaten this virus, maybe the original ad will make it to the screen.’
FCB
www.fcb.co.za
